Another weekdend another 7′

I’m afraid our progress reports will be a little repetitive during the repaint, but to keep XL319 in everyone’s hearts, the team has continued at an ever increasing pace.

Ian sets up the power lead

Past the wing’s first crank

Admiring his handiwork

Some recent earthworks preparing for G-ARPO’s move have provided a handy viewing platform

Sheltering from the showers (not sure how we’re going to do this for the topside)

Finally can I give a huge thanks to PPG industries for providing the paint for XL319’s repaint (and of course to Steve Dawson for setting this up). The museum could not have afforded to buy the paint for many more years, and certainly not of the quality provided.

When I was still a member at NEAM, I offered to make up some new units and I even supplied a sample of the anti-reflective type glass I could get. I hid it in the pull-out tray in the back cockpit of 319. To discuss further, PM me!

I’ve seen that piece. pm sent.

The scheme will be….??????? Come on, you KNOW you want 1970 high gloss camo, white belly and black nose……:D

Desert pink with tanker dayglo of course 😀

You’ll see soon enough. That is my personal favourite scheme but I believe there were other ideas when the paint was sourced (before I joined NEAM).

Also thanks to everyone on the Vulcan Operating Company team for a great display at Sunderland last weekend. 558 even popped over to say hello to her slightly tattier sister. An unforgettable sight.

The team watching

558 displaying on the horizon

She departs Sunderland via Usworth (not a great photo as I was falling over backwards at the time).

To take the thread back off topic for a second and answer an earlier worry;

Yes, but I think it doubtful that they will be allowed to leave it where it is for
the long term. With the rapidly expanding airport, the flying club and Vulcan
will no doubt have to find new homes.

Message from the VRT chairman on their facebook group;

“We are on the move from our workshop building by the end of september but have an exciting new location being prepared. XL426 is staying on its current pan for quite a while. The airport supports our work and doesn’t want us to leave. Needless to say we have no plans to leave either. Look out for detailed updates in our Members’ newsletters and please do let us know if you are interested in joining the volunteer team”

Sounds like XL426 is safe for a while yet. Let’s also hope that the rumours JT442 heard are true.

Update; 8th May

Some work at NEAM this weekend. A new ECM door, acquired from Bruntingthorpe (thanks Matt and David) was fitted;

Before

After

Almost looks normal from the front (if a little grubby).

In return for the door and few other bits we gave the buccaneer team a newish tyre, complete with brake pack. Here it is in the Citroen C1 Tardis.

A couple from last weekend of Julie and Kev sign writing.

The restoration of 319 continues at a snail’s pace. Hopefully to speed up this summer.

During the Easter weekend a team went down to Bruntingthorpe, swapping a buccaneer wheel and tyre for one ECM door and eight part worn tyres from XM715.

Decorroding and repainting of the first PFCU continues.

The entrance door mechanism and DV windows have been exercised ready for the summer season (it was getting a bit warm in there). This revealed that one of the door latches doesn’t seem to be springing any more. We’ll have a look at this in due course.

Peter, we would very much like to get hold of the entire bee-sting but no details have been set yet.

Also, spring has brought us a visitor, making its nest on the starboard leg.