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Dave Hadfield

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February 2, 2019 at 2:41 am in reply to: That Merlin Crackle… Or Not? #821616

Dave Hadfield
Participant

At any reasonably high power setting the Merlin roars, or at least pulls steadily. It’s only when you pull it back to idle that it crackles.

It’s hard on the engine to pull it back that far in normal flight. It’s generally better to have the engine driving the propeller than the propeller driving the engine. So most pilots try to arrange their flight so that the only hard-back-idle is during the flare for landing.

The power settings during this airshow display are rather low. But no crackle. You can hear it though, during the landing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHcq4v_tP3E

January 5, 2019 at 1:51 pm in reply to: Kestrel Engine Cooling #826791

Dave Hadfield
Participant

Yes, it is sometimes difficult to keep oil out of the coolant, and vise-versa, and both out of the cylinders. The gasket and the mating faces and the tightening procedure must be just right.

We frequently have the oil analysed in ours (3 Merlins and an Allison) to make sure nothing is creeping where it shouldn’t.

The Kestrel was quite an innovation in its day, and developed into a reasonably reliable engine, but there was a learning curve. If the coolant is allowed to boil, there could be warping, distortion and subsequent leakage.

Over-revving is also a problem, although it’s probably the mechanicals that are more likely to fail there.

And it’s a VERY expensive engine to overhaul in today’s world.

December 31, 2018 at 10:38 am in reply to: Two Hunter T7's to leave UK for Canada. #827841

Dave Hadfield
Participant

Great news! Spectacular!

December 28, 2018 at 8:41 pm in reply to: Spitfire Helmet-Cam Air Display, and DH Vampire Formation #828304

Dave Hadfield
Participant

Thanks. Here’s a bit of raw footage from a work-up flight last spring, with a much better landing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl6RzFamRoU&t=4s

And more links and articles here: http://www.hadfield.ca

December 15, 2018 at 1:14 pm in reply to: Avro Arrow replica finds new home #830721

Dave Hadfield
Participant

I spoke to him last night at the Edenvale tenants Christmas party (we keep the RV6a there), and the plan is to build a new large structure to house the Arrow and the rest of the collection. 2020 target date. In the meantime everything will be stored in smaller hangars around the airfield. No public access for now.

September 21, 2018 at 11:11 pm in reply to: Alcock and Brown in a Vickers Vimy ? #775584

Dave Hadfield
Participant

Lindbergh’s biggest battle was against sleep (once that hairy takeoff was successful). The Wright J-5 was state-of-the-art at the time, and had been serviced by the best AMEs in America.

The Vimy flight was harder, even though there was a crew and it was shorter in distance. Icing, and other problems, took them right to the edge. It was barely survivable. A triumph.

Fortunately the R-R Eagle was a superb engine, particularly by the standards of the time. And it was perfectly supported as well. So, other devices failed, but the engines kept running, and they made Ireland.

It it was the NC flying boats, then Alcock and Brown in the Vimy, then Lindbergh much later.

September 19, 2018 at 3:57 pm in reply to: 5000 Miles in a Spitfire #776430

Dave Hadfield
Participant

“What’s that white plastic looking thing hanging from the cockpit rail in the right hand picture Dave ?”

That was my air-conditioning mod. It’s a 90 degree elbow I picked up at Home Hardware, off the Discount Spitfire Parts rack.

The vent there blows air across the cockpit. But for flying in 90F+ heat, you want air blowing on your chest. Actually the proper angle would be about 75 degrees

It’s dangling because the air that day was cool enough that I didn’t want it on my chest. In general, whenever I wanted the flow to come at me, I just popped it on.

September 12, 2018 at 12:43 am in reply to: 5000 Miles in a Spitfire #778694

Dave Hadfield
Participant

We put on about 35 hours. This is more than a regular season for us in Canada, but not excessive.

From what I’ve seen, regular use of these aircraft and engines, for flights where operating temperatures get established and maintained, is the best thing for them. Infrequent short flights is probably more harmful than pickling them.

This is now a 60-hour aeroplane (it was close to new when I departed), engine and airframe. So, no, it should last for a considerable time yet.

It was TCA who achieved the best results with Merlins, but their engine shop was the best, their R and D was good, the parts were still available, the work-force was mature, and the engines were in use nearly every day. In recent years that has not been reproduceable. But now, in the UK, since the CAA regulatory change, the Ride business has increased to the point where the same peak of cost-effectiveness may be achievable again.

September 6, 2018 at 9:57 am in reply to: Spitfire IX TE294 Walkaround #779480

Dave Hadfield
Participant

I’d forgotten this! Oshkosh was a very busy time for us this year. We had many events — panel-discussions, 2 fly pasts, film segments, and a continuous crowd of very interested spectators.

We also won Reserve Grand Champion Warbird, and the Phoenix Award for this aeroplane, plus Gold Wrenches for each trophy, and a Judge’s Appreciation. So prepping for that was a big deal.

At this stage of the summer I’d completed 900 miles of what would end up being a 6000-mile journey (to Comox, on Vancouver Island, and back). Which I completed last week. The aircraft performed superbly. Only very minor snags.

As for the film, I use the phrase Dzus Fasteners a lot. It isn’t strictly true, since that’s a type of fastener which is American and proprietal. The Supermarine fasteners are different, although the purpose and general function is the same.

Dave

August 25, 2018 at 5:34 pm in reply to: Bf 110s "needed their own escorts" a canard? #783262

Dave Hadfield
Participant

There was definitely no canard. The tail was on the back end.

August 1, 2018 at 5:04 am in reply to: How Low Can You Go (2018 and onwards) #794551

Dave Hadfield
Participant

It’s a record you can only tie.

August 1, 2018 at 4:59 am in reply to: Must be the silly season……TIGHAR the gift that keeps giving….. #794555

Dave Hadfield
Participant

Tighar is brilliant Give them credit.

It’s the Fat Lady carnival act — except they never have to produce the Fat Lady! They just promise to look for her!

Inspired.

June 25, 2018 at 3:03 pm in reply to: Vampire with Spitfire #777965

Dave Hadfield
Participant

I did!

Jon Edwards has edited together a short video clip of footage from my helmet-cam and his own video from the ground.

https://www.facebook.com/VintageWingsOf … 291981844/

I hope we see more of this!

Dave

June 24, 2018 at 5:27 am in reply to: Critique Of TIGHAR By Ex-member/Donor #778590

Dave Hadfield
Participant

It’s the Fat Lady carnival scam, but they never have to produce the Fat Lady. They just say they are looking for her.

Really clever, actually.

June 24, 2018 at 5:23 am in reply to: RR Krestel, Section Reference number, 36DD? #778593

Dave Hadfield
Participant

Krestel?
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