20th June update
The engineering team had another good weekend, with a good turnout and lots of jobs getting “done”.
First the Victor, Nimrod and buccaneer were all given their monthly engine runs with various systems exercised, the first time the Nimrod has been run at YAM.
Cockpit of the Nimrod, Steve Pepper at the helm, Victor Sim flight engineering and Blue 2 in the co-pilot’s seat.
All engines turning
Crew chiefs and ground power unit
Getting ready in the Victor cockpit (victor internal shots by Blue_2)
All four turning
The AEO (Rick) at work
All this was watched over by the museum’s volunteer firemen, quite a few of them, with the pathfinder out of shot.
After the fun was over and the aircraft put back to bed work continued on the RAT scoop whilst another team tried to address the power issue mentioned last week (this was an issue with the electric power from the APU and so did prevent an engine run).
New seals were fitted to the RAT ram hydraulic union and these seem to have fixed the leak.
Blue_2 brought along his riveter and fixed a loose guard for the elevator control rods that had previously been hidden behind ducting.
The inside of the RAT received a second coat of paint whilst after lots of measuring and rubbing Nick managed to cut and sand down a new brush to fit the alternator.
Once dry the RAT will finally be ready for refitting. The fault that started the whole RAT episode, the micro-switches in the centre. With new seals fitted the current switches should last for a good time yet.
By 5 o’clock the other team hadn’t managed to get to the bottom of the APU electric fault but were still hard at it.
Finally a quick (partial) victor team photo.
Guys, the name of this thread has been edited to cover the restoration and updates of the NEAM Vulcan. Hopefully someone will be along shortly to provide an update on the repairs to XL319
Thank you Peter, and here’s an update;
It was quite quiet on Saturday so I decided to have a go at washing her. I’m not sure when she was last washed but some areas were thick in lichen.
Before, note the streak marks underneath and small patches of lichen on top, particularly on the green (did that have different chemicals in to the grey?)
After an hour or so of using a bucket and sponge one of these turned up.
Apparently the keeper of this green goddess used to wash XL319 when he was a fireman at Sunderland airport with a very similar engine. Here his son takes over the task.
This greatly sped up the process (thanks)
Unfortunately the lichen proved too tough for even the green goddess to blow off, so it was back to the bucket and sponge (though an angle grinder may have been more appropriate!). A few more hours of scrubbing and a small part was gleaming and lichen free.
The stubbornness of the lichen meant there wasn’t any time for proper engineering, the flying control motors will have to wait for another week.
Also, if anyone has any leads for cheap rivets (a mixture of blind and standard, all countersunk, excuse my lack of correct terminology) and aluminium sheeting we should soon be needing a few to tackle the control surfaces.
Finally one for all the closet botanists on here, I’ve been told this is a marsh orchid, growing up through the old RAF Usworth tennis court.
Chipper in!
Steve (Sven) will be along presently with the more technical update. After his Pie Sarnie that is…
Oi!!
There’s not really much to add. Worked continued on a number of fronts, some more successfully than others.
The scoop and intake pipe is now connected, but the RAT needs a little more work done. Today saw it being repainted and the brush springs mildly de-corroded, during which we discovered that one of the brushes had become stuck. We may now need a new brush, if anyone has any leads they would be much appreciated (I’m afraid I don’t have the part numbers to hand).
The system isn’t ever used by us (only needed in the event of a full engine failure and it only works above a hundred or so knots), but we always strive to keep it as original and operational as possible.
The RAT scoop ram was tested for leaks, using the hand pump due to the aforementioned power issue. Nick seen here getting to the manual hydraulic pump (the only photograph I managed to take during the day);
This revealed the need for a new seal on the union which will be fitted next week. Patches of dry hydraulic fluid suggest that this was a problem earlier, but hidden behind the RAT.
Once that’s been replaced we can get on with putting everything else back in, including the chipper.
Our electrical team spent the day dealing with the power issue, though they’re not quite there yet the job seems well in hand.
16th May
Another week and yet another new face. The forum’s Bennyboy came along to lend a hand. The new members almost outnumbered the old this week. Work continued on the RAT scoops;
The new seals, still sealed in their original boxes.
Graham (Blue_2) fits the new seal (at last) whilst Nick prepares the surface for a fresh coat of paint.
Rich takes a turn
as does Bennyboy
Meanwhile the corrosion inside the RAT itself was removed with wet and dry paper ready for its repaint. I’m afraid I didn’t take a photo of the RAT, only the piles of aluminium oxide dust removed.
By mid afternoon the new seals were in and bare metal primed ready for going hemp next week.
In parallel with this another team were busy working on removing corrosion from the trailing edge of the flaps, no photos I’m afraid but progress was made.
After last week’s Battle group North show the nimrod has returned facing in a new direction.
Update, 2nd May
Another good turn out this week with yet another new face, the forum’s own Blue_2.
Work continued on removing the RAT scoop to replace the seals. On close inspection it looks like there haven’t been any seals in since it left the RAF. They must have worked on that scoop towards the end of her service and not bothered to replace them.
The new engineer earned his keep by betting those last few stubborn screws out, allowing us to remove the top of the scoops.
Next the spring jack keeping the scoop open was removed. We then needed a wedge to give the person below room to work
We then took it in turns to wrestle with the split pins and bolts holding the scoop to the airframe. Meanwhile Ollie did sterling work keeping the scoop from falling on our heads, throughout a heavy downpour.
Blue 2 getting stuck in
Then after six hours of work we finally had it off, ready to join the RAT in the workshop for some conservation.
The hole left in the top of the fuselage was plugged by the scoop lid, firmly gaffa taped in place.
The team packing up at the end of the day.
Now we just need to get all it back in.
Sign In
