Hi all,
After our attempt at taxying failed, we were left with a bit of time on our hands. Fortunate really as we have to sort out the issues that plagued WR963 and we can get a bit more done besides.
There’s an intermittant fault on the PTR175 V/UHF which sometimes stops transmitting, and the PTR1751 V/UHF still needs attention to allow us to use the correct frequencies. We have a couple of guys that know radios looking them over as most of it seems to be an antenna issue.
The pneumatic syatem still has a few audible leaks, so the system is being tested at every joint to get it as leak free as possible. We know pressure will inevitably bleed away, as there are constant feeds to other systems than brakes – but it would be a good thing if the compressors on the inboard engines only had to keep up with a normal demand rather than struggling with leaks too.
The fuel priming pumps, as often seen in this thread are a long standing pain in the rear, but thankfully are relatively easy to swap out. The water ingress into these is only on the port side, and we thought we’d stopped it. It turns out we were wrong, so we’re working back from the fuel manifold to find out which tank is letting it all in.
Saturday saw us ready to fit two new mainwheels as we did have our doubts about the ones she has been standing on for the last 20 years. Thanks again to our long time friends at Air Atlantique, through their generosity WR963 got to enjoy a brief spell in the hangar at Coventry – something we’d like to see happpen more often once our funding level rises sufficiently.
By Friday afternoon WR963 was sat snug in Hangar 7 at Coventry Airport. When I say snug I mean it… as you don’t realise what a big girl she is until you try and fit her where DC3’s normally sit. I think there’s about 18″ clearance off each wingtip! Two large 50,000lb capacity jacks were loaned, and at 1030hrs Saturday morning the Shackletons mainwheels were off the ground… albeit using hydraulic effort rather than Rolls Royce’s. It looked a bit odd to see a big aircraft sat there on jacks with no wheel on. The work went well, with the two brand new mainwheels fitted and the brakes given a good checking and fettling too and WR963 was gently lowered back down after around four hours work.
On the administrative side; to get things progressing towards airworthy we need a company with CAA A8-20 E4 approval to support us. They will be the ones who would submit various reports to the CAA on our behalf covering design, safety record and numerous other things such as the all important the Permit to Fly application. We approached two companies – one could not carry out the work due to no longer carrying the approval. The other is considering the matter. We have our fingers crossed.
Photo’s of the mainwheel swap to come a little later.
Regards,
Rich
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