Key Publishing

derekbu

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 23 total)

1 2 →

Author

Posts
March 31, 2025 at 1:42 pm in reply to: Looking for detailed dimensions for Warner Super Scarab engine #1137498

derekbu
Participant

Mark,
how are you doing? Its been a while since we corresponded!. Many thanks for your offer… that would be fantastic. I have a basic 2D CAD drawing already done (based on my photos and measurements from Moorabbin), so I can mark up some key dimensions on these drawings for you to measure/confirm from your “collection”.

John, thanks for the scan of the Scarab 125, interesting family resemblence to the 165 (as you would expect). The crank-cases look very similar, but the cylinder-head intake and exhaust arrangements are different.

Regards,
Derek

April 25, 2014 at 11:01 am in reply to: 3D CAD- RAF Browning .303 #929911

derekbu
Participant

Nice work, Mike!
I’ve also been modeling the Browning, for drawings to appear in my Wirraway book (Mk IIs were mounted under the wings of some Wirraways for training purposes).

Here is a snapshot of my efforts so far:

I’m also looking for reference material… particularly the underside of the gun… Walter, I’ll send you a PM.

Regards,
Derek

November 1, 2013 at 12:26 pm in reply to: Yale and Harvard Frames #985011

derekbu
Participant

It also looks like someone has been quietly swapping parts out, as these look suspiciously like Ceres tailplanes with their wider leading edges.

Mark, you might be right that parts are being swapped out, but he tailplane hanging on the wall is standard Wirraway. Here’s a sketch of the differences:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]222511[/ATTACH]

Regards,
Derek

November 1, 2013 at 12:05 pm in reply to: Yale and Harvard Frames #985032

derekbu
Participant

The North American Aviation part number system is a little different, but once understood, is quite simple. The dash number, eg -31105 is the basic number for the item in the aeroplane and can be broken down even further by, IIRC, the first number relating to the grouping of the different major assemblies.

Here’s a link to a list of all the different major assemblies according to the NAA numbering scheme:

http://virtualwirraway.blogspot.nl/2012/08/the-cac-wirraway-was-training-and.html

Regards,
Derek

October 31, 2013 at 4:44 pm in reply to: An AUSSIE, What, where and when. #985432

derekbu
Participant

Just bumping this old thread (an oldie but a goodie!).

The “furthest” serving Wirraway was probably A20-750 which was one of the two 77 Sqn Wirraways based at Iwakuni in Japan. 750 flew to Korea on at least one occasion… documented on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQe1EI4rndQ&feature=related

And here’s a pic of her over Korea:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]222493[/ATTACH]

We even have the date from the 77 Sqn Operations Record Book:

July 19th 1950:

“The Dakota and one Wirraway flew Cinesound equipment, operators, armament and armourers to TAEGU to record part of the Squadron activities on film”

Regards,
Derek

October 28, 2013 at 12:50 pm in reply to: Some Black & White Pictures #467378

derekbu
Participant

Excellent work as usual Daniel!

What is it about b&w that seems more evocative?

Regards,
Derek

October 28, 2013 at 12:40 pm in reply to: Message Pick-up gear #989114

derekbu
Participant

Hi Paul,

I have a copy of the order you mentioned already, it’s Wirraway Order No. 57 of 29 August 1941. Sadly my copy does not include any drawings.

The order references drawing 08-73901, would love to get my hands on that one!

Regards,
Derek

October 18, 2013 at 9:11 pm in reply to: Message Pick-up gear #997718

derekbu
Participant

Excellent! This is fantastic. The pole and fittings look the same as Wirraway installation, just the attachment is different, since the Wirraway didn’t have the convenient fixed undercarriage axle! Many thanks.

August 15, 2013 at 10:08 pm in reply to: Message Pick-up gear #981319

derekbu
Participant

Thanks for all these tips, I’ll look into the Hind next time I can get to Cosford. Plus the Demon connection is an interesting one which I’ll follow up as well. The Air Publication describing the Hawker Audax also has a poor quality sketch of the pick-up gear attached to the axle.

Regards,
Derek

July 5, 2013 at 4:01 pm in reply to: Message Pick-up gear #940034

derekbu
Participant

@WZ862, thanks for the suggestion. I looked up the AP manual for the Audax, the pick-up gear shows in one of the photos, but no more details. So I tried the AP manual for the Wapiti, and in this one it shows on a side-view drawing of the aircraft, attached to the landing gear axle.

But I’m still hunting for more details. This gear was also used on Lysanders…

February 1, 2013 at 8:06 am in reply to: RAF G45 Gun Camera – advice needed #935999

derekbu
Participant

Thanks for the measurements Bob, exactly what I needed. “Old money” is best for these things that were built before we could spell centimetre!

Clocks, thanks too for the link.

Regards,
Derek

DB Design Bureau website – Drawings of Australian aircraft

January 31, 2013 at 9:14 pm in reply to: RAF G45 Gun Camera – advice needed #936235

derekbu
Participant

G45 camera dimensions?

Gents, this is an excellent thread! Fun stuff.

Any change of getting some dimensions for the G45 camera? I’m trying to build a 3D model, and there are lots of pics but so far I haven’t found any dimensional details. Just a length, width and height for the body and diameter of the lens would be fantastic.

Regards,
Derek

October 13, 2012 at 1:00 pm in reply to: XH558 – the future! #1013509

derekbu
Participant

Sad to see her finally grounded, but congratulations to the team who got her in the air again and kept her flying. An unbelievable feat.

I had the pleasure of seeing XH559 fly at the RAAF 50th Anniversary Air Show at Laverton in the early 70’s… truly awesome.

A good read for Vulcan fans: Vulcan Test Pilot by Tony Blackman.

April 30, 2012 at 4:29 pm in reply to: Aircraft ID #1049769

derekbu
Participant

The second one is hiding behind the first, facing in the opposite direction. The canopy side panels are folded down so the cockpit is open.

April 16, 2012 at 6:50 pm in reply to: Seeking info on Vickers Mark V .303 machine guns #1070944

derekbu
Participant

And now I’ve updated the Wirraway page with details on all 3 types of machine guns which the aircraft carried. Click here to view.
Author

Posts

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 23 total)

1 2 →