oleo snag pictures

For those interested the aircraft at a lean and the temporary solution…

Left oleo

Hi Buster

The left oleo was soft and I had hoped to get it topped up at St Athan on its next visit but yesterday took the Dornier for a shake down and it sagged badly just before take off.

In itself not a big deal as the aircraft has very long legs, ground clearance for rough ops etc. got airborne ok and after a local flight came back for circuits.

Circuits fine notwithstanding the usual cross wind off the factory but the left leg sagged badly after landing, it was a good one too. Stopped at N and got my son to hop out and lift left wing which in the past was enough to level it again.

This time no dice so taxied in and shut down. The sag was bad enough to cause a small fuel spill from the left vent (5l). Tried to put a nitrogen line on the oleo to gas it up and discovered ex RAF rig imperial thread while 1958 Dornier metric.

Chewing gum administered to vent with finger assistance.

Given we did win WW2 one might have thought the US and UK would have banned metric engineering…

Aircraft in the shed with oleo locks on left leg. Received an FZ15 adaptor which might do the job failing that will need to borrow or make a metric adaptor.

Martin R of the Dornier club replied in an e mail that this is a known problem and most owners converted the oleo valve to a more user friendly thread.

With help hope to have the leg topped up, then need to ok repair/fix with local safety manager etc.

Hope that helps explain the lurching pictures!

Regards Dornier

Pre Christmas airing

Hi, took advantage of a gap in the weather and hauled the Dornier out of the shed for a brief flight with the family aboard.

Engine fired up first go, coughed spluttered ran then stopped, started second go and with a few jabs of throttle kept going and then settled down. Air traffic helpful at Harwarden and airborne without delay. Take off with ten ish knots across fine as the aircraft is off the deck fast.

IFF not playing so stayed away from Liverpool zone and pottered up to point of Ayr, left turn to Rhyll then southwards towards Ruthin and the high ground.

Circled Jubillee Tower waved at the walkers then back to Chester. Crosswind around ten knots which is as much as I would want to land in. Slight bounce on arrival but rolled out in reasonable order and taxied in.

Aircraft needs avionics upgrade and a paint job. Speaking of which, having politely written to ask the German Embassy (Air Attache) for permission to paint it in 1960s Luftwaffe colours they wrote back and said Nein for legal reasons…

Not sure what legal reasons means exactly but no means no so re thinking colour scheme.

Pictures to follow

Tour of Wales

Hi

Struggling to upload pictures, couple attached, but had a brief proving flight around North Wales on Sunday.

Apart from a scenic trip managed to fault find a couple of issues and aircraft flying nicely just a handful in the ever present crosswind at Chester where the factory buildings create their own gusts etc.

For next year plan to chase some steam train excursions between Crewe and Chester and photo using a professional friend in the back with side doors removed.

The plane can safely amble along at 50kts which helps

Dornier

Thanks for your views and help

Going to mull it over but thanks for the input hoping to fly the Dornier to Harwarden early next week subject to voltage reg issue.

Will give you an update in due course

Regards Dornier

G-BMFG

Hi, thank you for the info.

My wife and I have taken on the aircraft from its previous owner on condition that we complete the rennovation work required and keep it flying.

The work is being under taken at Hunter Flying St Athan and we hope to get the aircraft back this month for some flights around Harwarden before returning it for paint work in December.

There is a bit of debate over how we should paint the D27. It was Luftwaffe from new but served with the Portugese Air Force for a number of years in Africa and has four bullet hole repairs to prove it.

I am inclined to re paint it in period Luftwaffe colours while the previous owner would prefer it in Portugese colours. At the end of the day since we are paying for it’s our call but would be interested in the views of others on the forum.

Regards Dornier