RitchandMaxWow Atcham Tower, I was exactly 1 month old when that was taken!! Probably the last open day without rain as well!!!!!
Matt, both would be a very great help! yes we will have a few rivet’s to take out, not to mention many more toput back in again. 1/8, 5/32 and 3/16 will be the order of the day if you can help, or metric equivalant if not. But no rush, I will need to get the nod from D.W. first, no matter what, and I am inclined to wait till the windy season in March and April is over, as I don’t want to weaken the structure any more till then. I think it might be a good idea to get her back on firm ground as well, which will mean waiting for the ground to dry out and harden first.
Still, if we get the go ahead, we can at least start collecting the gear and matierials together.
RitchandMaxSo here we go!
Ok
Time to break my silence!
I have spent the last two days pouring over a pile of photos of the damage, both internaly and externaly. I have worked out a repair scheme, which I belive we can carry out, outside in the cold and wet!
I have also talked to Nev Martin tonight, and run my ideas past him for approval, which he is in agrement with.
So, I have now submited my proposal to the aircrafts owner, and asked him for his approval to proceed.
Thats were we are at now, and hopefully we can bandage the old girl up. I just hope she is through trying to mate with a Green Goddess!! christ alone knows what the outcome could be!!!
Andy, thanks for the offer, the spirt of Bruntingthorpe is indeed strong, and thats why it is such a genuine pleasure to be there, you see, it’s not just the weather that draws us in!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RitchandMaxIf only it were so simple!
Hi Mark
If only it was that simple! What the photos don’t show is the damage to the internal structure, which is serious. The problem at the moment is that first, all the new stresses that have been “punched” into the structure have to be relieved, and the skin persuaded back into its approximate original position.
Then the repair can begin.
If we remove too much damaged structure and relieve too much stress all at once, then get some high winds, the structure could distort to such a degree that it becomes impossible to repair at all. She is stuck in the mud / soft ground by her nose and sbd main gears, so any wind (and we approaching that time of year) could put incredible forces through the structure. Also, she is now side on to the prevailing wind, which is not good.
If we just drill a few hundred holes and put a patch on, all of those holes will also reduce the strength of the structure. Regarding sealants always be very careful what you use, many of the silicone sealants will have a terrible corrosive effect on aircraft skins, but between two pieces of skin out of view. I never use the common household sealants, use a specialist sealant like JC-5 (Yak ****!) or even a Thycol, PRC compound.
As I say, it needs a lot of thought, we can’t jack her up or jig her, as she is permanently outside and at the whim of the wind, so we will have to see what we can come up with.
RitchandMaxIts all about time!
Hi Dave and all, you called!
This incident happened about 3 weeks ago, and I have been “sitting on it” since then whilst I collect my thoughts.
I do have an idea as to how I think we should proceed, and I also have the experience to see it through (I have specialised in large structural repairs for many years), however what I lack at the moment, due mainly to a surge in A-380 work in my day job, is time, the last full day off from work I had was January 1st!
If I approach the aircraft’s owner with a plan to see her fixed up, I will also be commiting myself to see it through, which would efectivly put a halt on our current project, and almost certainly rule out participation in Cockpitfest 2009, as we would not have a project at a stage to show.
Also many of you know I work as a team with my son, Max, and he also has A level exams comming up, so all in all, I am just not sure if I have the time to commit at the moment.
It’s a hard call as we love the old girl, but I only have one pair of hands and a job to hold down.
RitchandMaxSome late answers.
Sorry for the slow replies work and the real world mucking up my life again!!
Peter, we have not had power on for a very long time, and at open days, a ground power unit roaring away is a real pain for the visitors, so we have installed mains power and some up lighting in the cargo holds to give a bit of light and atmosphere. The cockpit is best left with power off on open days, as you never know what the public will do!! And I don’t necessarily mean the kids!!
We have been tempted to put power on for our own benefit and amusement, but never seem to find the time!!!
Mostleyharmless, it has been talked about on a few occasions, but the step from a collection to a museum is a big one, health and safety would become a nightmare and we would hate to loose that special informal atmosphere that is so special at Bruntingthorpe. Ultimately the decision would rest with the airfield owners, and I believe they have considered it in the past, so who knows!
Don’t forget however that an historic building is going up at Bruntingthorpe, the Lightning Preservation Group’s QRA shelter. This project is inspirational, as are the group behind it, and who knows, it might one day inspire others.
RitchandMaxA shining example.
I think we both understand the what’s and why’s DeltaPapa, but these are extraordinary times, and requre an extraordinary effort from those involved.
The Lightning lads are a shining example of what can be done if ever there was one, I know they are not airworthy aircraft, but, at 10-00 on Saturday morning, they had a snow and ice covered QRA shed and apron, at 1-30 the first cars came in and all was ready to go. Freezing weather, and all of them could easily have just been down the pub, talking of what might have been.
When we left it was dark and cold, but a show had been put on by shear effort, they made that event happen, and they are making there dreams happen. The Vulcan organisation need to find some of that spirit, and fast.
Stacey24b, thanks! and you guys are doing a brilliant job with the Sea Vixen as well.
RitchandMaxI was there.
I see DeltaPapa’s point re the club members day at the Gliding Club Husbands Bosworth.
But, if oppertunities like the one on Saturday are not taken, the members of the club might as well take up gliding instead.
I was helping out at Bruntingthorpe on Saturday, I am not a member of the LPG, but we are also based on the airfield and we like to muck in and help when we can. I can say from first hand that many people asked us if the Vulcan was open, indeed t he airfield canteen was open and everyone had to walk past the locked door of the Vulcan hangar to get there! I can also confirm that a member of the Vulcan club who is a close mate, was helping us out all day, untill well after dark, he has in the past done the Vulcan hangar tours, but the hangar was locked.
The fact is that, if someone from the Vulcan had asked for help, it was available, the only reason that she was out of sight was because the very people who stand to loose there jobs didn’t bother to either ask for help, or unlock the hangar.
Sorry, but that’s the way it was.
RitchandMaxWe do our best!
Hi Peter
In all honesty, we can do very little. Due to her size, and limited resources (we don’t get millions in support, just what people drop in the bucket!), she is beyond our capabilities to really look after properly. We try to keep her clean and tidy, and we have installed some lighting inside the main hold, which we hope is sympathetic to her size and atmosphere. We also added a better access to the main hold a couple of years ago, through the rear lower door instead of up through the cockpit, which could be difficult. We also make a special effort to keep the flight deck tidy and accessible to the public.
We open her up on open days and show people around at every opportunity, but as far as the airframe goes, without cover, she will eventually in time revert to the elements. There are ongoing corrosion problems which we will never be able to get into to fix, as we would need to get the aircraft inside, and there is no hangar available big enough on site. Also, the wind plays havoc with her, and she turns around at every opportunity, which inevitably damages the aircraft. She is one to enjoy whilst we can, but will ultimately have a hopefully long but limited life, and will soldier on for some years yet.
I have over 30 years experience of working on big turboprops, I have been lucky enough to have worked on the Viscount (my favourite aircraft to work on), Vanguard / Merchantman, Lockheed L-188 Electra, Lockheed Hercules and now the Super Guppy, all great aircraft.
I have been blessed! Just don’t ever ask me to work on a Bae-146 ever again!!!!!!
RitchandMaxOur projects.
Hi Matt
Right, Max and me own the fast taxiable Jet Provost Mk-3A, XN584. We now also own Chipmunk fuselage WZ869 and a very old Glider cockpit section. Max also owns a large collection of instrument panels.
We recently sold Max’s Beagle Pup-100 cockpit section, G-AXNL, to a film studio in Cornwall, and our Auster J-1 has gone to a good home in the Scarborough area.
We have also previously owned a Bede BD-5 and a Slingsby T-31B, WT910 Tandem Tutor, whichis now airworthy and flying in Cheshire.
We also look after the Super Guppy for David Walton and get involved to a small degree with other groups on the airfield (it was us pointing everyone to parking spaces at the LPG run on Saturday).
I think that covers most of our projects and interests! remembering I have a “day job” in the Aerospace industry and Max is doing A levels at the moment.
Ritch and Max.
I think that’s all
RitchandMaxAlive and kicking.
Hi MJR
The pan was never being cleared as such, I know, I am based on it! It has however had a very much needed tidy up at the request of the airfield owners. We still “live” on the pan, and still have projects there, indeed Max’s Chipmunk project is there right now.
There have been many rumours about this, but we are alive and kicking and still resident. I also have to be honest and say that Max and me have unintentionaly been to some degree responsible for the speculation. We found ourselves with 5 projects on the go, but with less time to work on them due to work and education, so have reduced our fleet, which has given a false impresion.
Also, the Vulcan was due to move for a very long time, but the owner like many of us took a long time to get around to it. Two Phantom cockpits were sold and moved, which was always the owners intention and another cockpit moved nearer the owners home to be worked on. With all of this happening in a relativly short space of time, a false impression has been created.
I can confirm that the airfield owners have given permision for a new project to come on site this very week, and as you all know the Lightning group is very much alive and kicking.
Bruntingthorpe has had a bit of a tidy up, much needed if I am honest, and we are all looking forward to 2009 and some decent weater to show off our aircraft again.
I hope this clears things up a bit, and I would be happy to try and answer any individual questions if you PM me.
Come and see us in 2009.
RitchandMaxMake the Earth move again!!
Hi Paul
OK, you win this time, we know it has been a labour of love, and you guys have done a brilliant job. Let us know how the engine run goes.
ANON, the men in the know recon the Mk.4 was the best of the lot, the extra power of the Viper 202, without the extra weight of the Mk.5.
Ours is a Mk.3A, but we still love her! The Jet Provost is probably the most practical of all military jets around for enthusiasts such as Relight and ourselves who feel the need to make the earth move. Relatively affordable, simple and easy to work on and noisy enough to make you feel like a real Jet jockey!!! And a second seat to impress the girl friend (ask Max!!!)
RitchandMaxWhat about 584?
Hi Paul
I didnt know anything about this either, can you let us have more details so that we can get a copy ourselves?
Stuff XS186, what about XN584, a JP with fire still in her belly!!!! or XN582 a JP with fire coming out of her a***, well, untill Malc and his lads fix the fuel supply / start problem anyway!!!
Happy new year to all at Metheringham,
Ritch and Max.
RitchandMaxTry and keep us away!!!
Try and keep us away!!!
See you all next Saturday,
Ritch and Max.
RitchandMaxWe are interested, but so will Matt be!!
Hi Stuart
The Fuel guage sounds interesting, only problem now that Matt has hijacked our thread, I suppose we will both be after it!!!
We would be very interested if it is available, but will also understand if you were to offer it to Matt.
But thanks for telling us anyway!!!
Best wishes,
Ritch and Max.
RitchandMaxChipmunk wants list.
Ok guys
We finaly found the time to have a propper look at our new baby today, and have a short wants list to add to the thread, so here goes..
All for static use only.
1) Windscreen.
2) Rear cockpit, Mag mounting bracket and switch.
3) Rear cockpit, headset socket securing bracket (a sort of spring clip type thing!).
4) Rear cockpit, lower panel mounts, (just the bottom part that the panel attaches to).
5) Front cockpit VHF radio switch and mounting bracket, (bellow and to the right of the main panel).
6) Starter button / switch.
7) Harness shoulder straps type “ZC” 6F/252.
8) Windscreen suround metalwork (capping strips).
9) Two springs for the flip down card holders on top of the coamings.
Not a masive list, but any help or leads would be most appriciated.
Thanks in advance,
Ritch Blood.
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