I’ve done a bit of checking and to coin an old phrase – “let me tell you a story”.
The Shackleton was the first large aircraft at Newark to have its wheel sets tyre-filled and at the time the museum had a restricted range of jacks with which to undertake the replacement of the wheels. When the filled tyres were returned there had been a slight miscalculation of how far the jacks could be extended to safely refit the filed tyres, which had been returned with a larger diameter than anticipated.
As a consequence the only way to safely refit them was to excavate the ground below the undercarriage, which also made it difficult to plate the wheels. Discussions have recently taken place to rectify this situation; however it is one of many jobs on a very long list.
The Hastings main wheels were also tyre-filled and the lessons learnt in the during the Shackleton work programme were applied. This included acquiring a set of jacks that were fit for purpose. I understood that the Hastings main wheels were on metal plates – but I could be mistaken!
I hope this provides a bit of background detail about some of the issues that are sometimes faced.
Whilst posting here this morning I have been asked to advise that the Aeroboot bookings are still going well with several new sellers joining the growing ‘throng’ that will be at Newark on Saturday 3rd March – but there is still chance for people to return their booking forms!
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