Matty,
Looking at your photo I reckon they are pretty much the same as in the 1980s when it came to the IOW….Great shot really shows what a lousy view the pilot had!….. Mine a company photo taken at the time.

Whilst the panel is certainly original, judging by the various redundant holes and patch plates really don’t think that these are the original instruments. The yellow oil gauge looks to be typical WW2 vintage the rest a bit more recent. Sure one of the Forum experts could give a informed opinion. Somewhere I think I have a sketch drawing of the panel layout, will send it on once I find it.

As for the SARO archive alas the chap who ran it here on the IOW had to give it up due to health problems. Last I heard was that Solent Sky might take it on.

Chumpy.

Matty,
A couple of examples of flying clothing for you, firstly Mr Stainforth looking a bit the worse for wear! Alas flying clobber is not my specialist subject, generally though it seems to be a bit casual, close fitting tunics etc the tight confines of the cockpit, precluding bulky RAF flying jackets.

Next up Mr Kinkead…one for Trinny & Susanna it would seem, wonder what colour that jumper was!

As for internal detail, the RAF museum at Hendon has quite a few original Supermarine S6 drawings on micro-fich. Theses available to the public but you need to apply in advance for special access to the ‘library’.
As for the Solent Sky machine, and the bare instrument panel. I have been told that the museum has the original instruments in store, but I have not been able to confirm this. These being ‘specials’ made by Smiths at the time, as standard ones did not go up far enough! Would certainly seem to be the case for the ASI and Rev Counter.

As for internals of the Gloster, never seen any!

Chumpy

Nice little booklets these, considering they were produced during the war years, I have the ‘Book of the Wellington’…somewhere!

Wonder if Ian Allan still have any of the original R.P. negatives?

Hi Roger,
A good thought!
‘Real’ certainly did warship photos, so yes maybe they did other more general subjects. A question for the postcard collectors of this world, it would seem.

Chumpy.

Pete,
Wow what can I say, never imagined that my question would be answered in such fashion! An amazing bit of R&D work on your part, just had a look at your website and am very impressed. Great to see the Alex Henshaw bit, one of my all time heroes.

Must admit that I thought things would be a lot hotter. I can now move ahead with a decent level of confidence, when it comes to the Metallising. This by the way will be done by a specialist company who know what they are doing!

For those not familiar with the process this involves special kit ( basically a gas torch with a hollow nozzle, fed with wire MIG welder style) that sprays molten metal on to the surface of the component. The basic process good up to about 400-500 degrees c.
The process used on exhaust system parts is sometimes called ‘Aluminizing’, the wire used being aluminium. Once the molten spray leaves the nozzel of the gun it rapidly cools and solidifies on the surface of the part being coated, this coating being around 7 thou thick (0.007″).
Following this the part is then coated with a special paint soloution and baked in an oven at around 800 degrees c. This ‘alloys’ the ali / solution on to the surface of the steel shrould and is good for temperatures up to around 950 degrees or so.

So a million thanks, glad that you had fun in the process, reckon I owe you a pint!

Cheers, Chumpy.

PS..Going off at a tangent here, does anyone have a Napier Lion..Schneider Trophy style, that runs??

Merlin exhaust

Hi all,
Many thanks for the input on the subject, interesting figures and comments from all parties.

My reason for asking is that I am involved in the making of some exhaust system shroulds. The finished items requiring ‘Metalising’ to DTD 906 spec, (a protective treatment process). This available in different classes depending on the operating temperatures involved.

Interesting to read Creaking’s coments regarding loss of energy / temp etc. Closest experience that I have had was to act as ballast on the rear end of a MkXIV Spit during engine runs. Pleasently warm slipstream back there, incredibly loud, had a bad hair day, but totally dandruff free…much better than using Head & Shoulders!

Cheers, Chumpy.