Whitley Turret Progress

Hi Mike

Thanks – it’s begining to look more like a turret now.

The grey is a chromate free primer from light aero – very good stuff. I am currently searching for a good flat black general purpose paint. Any suggestions anyone?

Cheers
Elliott

Elliott – have you tried Frosts – for paint (and much more)

http://www.frost.co.uk/

Thanks Cees

I’m surprised you never started a halifax turret – there must be plenty of bits around in Holland?

Well, yes …bits that would be the best way to describe it.
We have a Stirling tailturret in good condition that was recovered from a lake. That would be the best way to find a reasonably complete turret project on the continent. Two years ago I was offered a Halifax type E tailturret (thanks again for thinking of me, you know who you are 😉 ) in very good condition for a good price but as we had just bought our currect house, cash was the problem. Pity, as I think a turret is a fantastic piece of machinery. The Military Aircraft Museum at Soesterberg has a FN 5 turret in excellent condition but they are doing nothing with it and sits in storage.

Cees

Sorry for the delay in replyng to the Whitley Project I’ve been away this week aviating nad have not been able to get near a computer – that’s also wrong plenty of computers just not any with internet conections.
My photo came from the Laurence Wright collection and shows one of the Whitleys used by the CLE at RAF Ringway. The turret was originally removed to allow live pull off parachuting to take place (stand up and hold the handles on edge of the fuselage and then at the appropriate moment pull the ripcord, as the parachute deploys it pulls (rips) the parachutist off the aircraft and carries him down.
Subsequently the position was used by photographers during glider and parachute trials – notice the seat in the rear of the fuselarge.

Another Whitley photographer location is detailed in a drawing I helped get donated to the Museum at Middle Wallop. It details a wooden box open at its rear end to be hung from one of the wing bomb cells. The idea being that a photographer climbed in facing rearwards (and downhill whilst on the ground!) and spent the whole flight there. I hope this was a proposal never taken up, or if it was the photographer was recognised with a medal.

Thanks Cees

I’m surprised you never started a halifax turret – there must be plenty of bits around in Holland?

Wow Elliott, that”s looking great already.

Keep it up

Cheers

Cees

Thanks Peter

I will have to have a trial and see what comes out on top. It needs to be identical to the original finish.

Cheers

Elliot.
I used a Satin black(Matt black which is similiar) on our FN5 and it turned out great! It was as close to the original color that we could find. Flat black was discussed but it doesnt have the correct finish overall once it is dried.

Wow Elliott, that”s looking great already.

Keep it up

Cheers

Cees

Looking good Mike!

Here are a few photos of our FN16 turret.

We believe is was configured for training and was not fitted with a cupola.

JC – Mike Berry has a nice FN16 on display in Canada – he might be able to post a pic.

Aeronut – that’s the wrong end! Interesting shot though… Where did you find that?

Cheers

Is there a picture of how a finished one looks ?

[ATTACH]161431[/ATTACH]Is this where you got your turret from? 😀

I was trying to find a photo to show ‘Junk Collector’ what it looked like finished and that was the best shot I had available.

Paint

I have good quality satin black in aerosol if any good pm thanks

Elliot.
I used a Satin black(Matt black which is similiar) on our FN5 and it turned out great! It was as close to the original color that we could find. Flat black was discussed but it doesnt have the correct finish overall once it is dried.

Is there a picture of how a finished one looks ?

Hi Mike

Thanks – it’s begining to look more like a turret now.

The grey is a chromate free primer from light aero – very good stuff. I am currently searching for a good flat black general purpose paint. Any suggestions anyone?

Cheers
Elliott

Nice work Elliott!

What type of paint are you using?

Regards,

Thanks Peter and David

I keep telling myself that per cubic foot, the turret is probably the most complicated and expensive part of the rebuild. It is getting there and I am very happy with the quality.

Hi Andy

This is it! It took a swap of epic proportions to acquire :p

Elliott

A pal of mine in Brighton (who you probably know?) did have a Whitley turret. Do you know about it….or is this it????

Nice work Elliott!

What type of paint are you using?

Regards,

Elliott

A pal of mine in Brighton (who you probably know?) did have a Whitley turret. Do you know about it….or is this it????

Nice work Elliott. One step closer!

Looking good Elliot!