Hi Mike,

The moulds were constructed over a plywood frame and built up with plaster and covered with a fine cloth by the company that manufactured them. Basically they were mapped through trial and error and we were lucky in that the centre and Stbd panels were right first time. The Port one was slightly shallow in profile which built up stress in the rear edge thus causing the crack. We then had to re-map the co-ordinates based on a mirror image of the stbd panel and build it up to suit. Next time I’m at Wyton I’ll try to get you some pictures.

The pipelines were made from new using some crash relics (couplings) as a basis, we were able to get some AGS fittings but to be honest we had to use some off the shelf plumbing items that were very similar in appearance. We made the decision very early on that the turret wouldn’y be hydraulically operational, which then gave us some latitude in our approach.

Hope that helps

John

Sorry, hopefully you’ll find the pics attached

Further to previous responses, the FN5 series of turrets were hydraulically fed from above through a rotating service joint attached to the vertical hoop structure. The pressure and return pipes were routed down the inside of the hoop then forward to the motor, rams etc. The Mid upper turrets were fed from underneath, thus negating the service joint and allowing for greater simplicity and visibility in that area. The simplified hoop acts as the mounting for the gun sight and various electrical anciliary equipment.

Hope this helps

John

I was at Abingdon in the mid 80s and seem to remember an aircraft coming in having suffered a cable strike to the port wing in Italy IIRC.

Morning all,

The Stirling Project are monitoring the situation with regard to this item. I believe that Giuseppe has been in touch…..

John

The best way to portray it would be a la ‘Das Boot’, that is over several instalments.