The amount of aircraft surplus that ends up as garden/farm equipment its definitely possible. Its surprising how much stuff has shown up for WR963 since we started making the aircraft a little more well known.

Do the auction or sale records exist for the scrapped Lancs? That would be a start point. The only problem with the H2S, and the ASV – is they are a bit vulnerable when the aircraft is being scrapped, so I’d be surprised if many are around.

I hope so! The engineers panels are going away soon to get laser cut. All dimensions are being taken from the original T4 drawings.

Hi all,

28 Jan

Not a bad day today, plenty of people at AIRBASE enjoying looking around some of the aircraft that aren’t always open. I was there for my usual Saturday task though, looking after the Shackleton.

In between keeping the visitors to the aircraft happy, we found that WR963 seemed a little under the weather. A few gremlins have found a way in over new year; on applying electrical power to the Shackleton’s systems this morning we got a crankcase pressure warning light for No 4 engine that wouldn’t go out.

Several people started scurrying about fetching manuals and tools, and the cause of the problem was traced to the sensor on the engine’s breather system. Despite the time for our run fast approaching, and numerous visitors on site, we managed to cure the offending sensor, it looks as though the bad weather and frost had got to it.

When it came time to start, No 3 and 4 engine started pretty cleanly, No 1 was still in a sulk after the over-priming it got on the night run. It took some coaxing (3 attempts) but was persuaded to join in with proceedings today. Before it next runs it will have a plug change, which should perk it up a bit.

When we got running, all eyes were on the pneumatic pressure gauges, as this system has been our focus over the last few weeks. Success! The system is now charging. We saw a shade over 250psi on the gauge, despite one or two leaks that made themselves known – and that is enough for brakes to work, but not enough for taxying – we need both sides pneumatics working for that, and more pressure. And a full set of props..

Thanks to all that came and watched, and thanks to all the Classic Flight GST for helping. There were an awful lot of cold volunteers shifting barriers and manning aircraft today to make it safe for visitors.

Kind regards

Rich

While I was at Coventry yesterday I got a shot (pardon the pun) of the replica front armament.

They’re staying in place until we get hold of a Boulton Paul Type N, then they may get upgraded for something a bit more realistic..

21 Jan

Today saw us dodging rainstorms to get things done, so no photos again from me, unfortunately.

Further work to the starboard pneumatic system was the object of the day. We used compressed air from a portable compressor to charge various parts of the system, and blow through sections of piping to confirm whether there was a free flow or blockages. This showed up a stuck relief valve, a stuck pressure regulator and a charging point venting to atmosphere.. plenty to go at!

We got the offending items removed, cleaned and reassembled. Most of the stuck parts were down to oil residue, or moisture related seizure. The pressure regulator in particular has two sprung ball valves in it, both were solid with a grey emulsion.

The charging point behaved itself after some lubrication and being worked a few times. It should have been capped, but at some point in time the cap has gone missing. It now has a new one.

Applying more air at the compressor end after we got it all back together saw the gauge in the cockpit start to rise accompanied by a gentle hissing sound. The brakes were used (and found to still take up, with no leaks on the undercarraige legs) to discharge the system and then it was recharged once more. It appears to be working.

We’ll know for sure when the engines are run next week whether the compressor and the system as a whole is behaving as it should.

Last but by no means least… one of our crew snuck in to AIRBASE, carrying a rather long roll of carpet. His taste in carpets is – quite frankly – awful, but contained within it were two jewels… replica Hispano cannons for the front of WR963. They didn’t stay in the carpet roll long, they’re now right where they should be! The mountings will get revised when we get a front turret, but for now even in the fixed position in the nose they look fine.

Work on the conversion back to long bomb doors is to start in two weeks time. Watch this space.

Kind regards,

Rich