and the last for now…….

After doing some serious looking into the Vixens wing, to my relief we have found that the wing fold jack is ok and it’s the sequencing valve that has split, which means we can still fold the wing by hand pump, thus enabling me to repair the valve.

Over the last week or so, more work that I have done is making the Vixen look so much better. I spent a considerable amount of time at home reproducing the panel markings on my PC to great effect! In the days of the Vixen, most information markings on the airframe were decals and not stencils, so I have made hundreds of decals to replace the ones that were worn away or completely lost, of which all were done through the use of my own manual which was a god send.

We have also now got ‘Red Tops’ fitted and it give’s Vicky a more aggressive look. All ‘KEEP OFF’ markings are on the top of the engine covers and the red cross and square markings I am currently in the middle of doing.

All in all, she’s looking fabulous!!

Thanks Robmac. Best wishes on her work I can see her now lights shining brightly, flexing her wings in the sunshine!

One of the problems I have to sort out before I can even think about folding the wings is a damaged hydraulic hose on the main wing folding jack on the port side of the aircraft.

Having very limited access to the jack, with the wing in the down position, is causing quite a headache for me. The ideal position for me to change the pipe would be with the wings folded, but because of the ruptured item, no hydraulic pressure can be pumped into the system cause it just leaks out again. So, the only way to do this repair is to either, remove the skin on the upper surface of the wing, removing 250 odd screws to do so, or, manually lift the wing up and past 90 degrees and jury strut it to the fuselage……………this is a 1700lb wing and cannot be lifted by hand, so until a suitable system can be devised, that is failsafe for obvious reasons, I’m b**g***d!!!!

Any idea’s??? Anybody got a Sea Vixen with the same problems, if so, please share your thoughts………..someone come up with an idea for me, make it easy, help me out…….. 🙁 😀

Is their a Red Bull G-CVIX tech operator here per chance??? 😀 😀

Squadron Badge/Hydraulics

Over the last few days, some tinkering has been done on 685 and the squadron badge has been painted on both sides of the tail booms. Although the picture just show the Yellow and white disc of the badge, the Witch has also been painted on both sides. I forgot to take a picture before I left the other day, but as soon as I can, I will and post it here.

Looking at other parts of the airframe has been very pleasing indeed. There is very little in corrosion on the Vixen and what is damaged is minimal and can be repaired. The observers hatch being a classic example as before I worked on it, the lower section of the hatch was badly pitted and the edge corroded away considerably. You can see now in the picture it looks undamaged.

The undercarriage bay of the Vixen houses the main hydraulic tank and charging points for the whole hydraulic system and the condition of the pipes, joints and connections are all in excellent condition making it more and more positive about possible system operation on certain controls, following a good safety check. Providing EVERYTHING passes, we could operate possibly the wing fold. This is all a very long way though, but it’s looking good.