Vulcan update 28 September 2008
As promised, here’s this week’s installment:
During my absence over the last few months, the fake John has got a job fixing 737’s in Ireland, and several other team members have come and gone. Chris, Grant and Michael have been the backbone (in some cases, the only bone!) in the team and have been steadily plugging away at the corrosion removal in preparation for the long awaited re-paint.
319 is now considerably lighter having the majority of the underside manually stripped to bare metal, alochromed, and etch primed – removing all of the oxidisation which has occured since 1982. She looks, as all aircraft do during restoration, multi-coloured – a mix of faded grey paint, green etch primer and orange alochrom………
Visitors are being charged £1 to get into the cockpit, and this has been the main source of funding.
The latest news is that there is a chance that 319 will make noise again – currently we are removing the a.a.p.p. for overhaul. While it is away, we will be looking at the 28V DC circuits (lights, etc) and the bomb bay hydraulics. We have a huge task ahead – alot of the AC system has been chopped. Contactors have been removed by cutting the cables (I would assume they are fitted to a different type of V-bomber right now…). It MAY be possible to isolate the majority of the electrical systems and only use the Rover to power up limited hydraulics and the cockpit instruments. Quite how much work will need to take place for that to happen remains to be seen. I’m imagining alot….
We need more dedicated volunteers to help us through the winter. All we can offer is hot drinks and good banter in exchange for hours of cold hard toil….
Generally, NEAM is moving ahead with its re-generation. Its well worth a visit to see the changes.
I’m sure Chris or Michael will post some pictures.
Thats all for now.
LL
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