Hi Terry. I realise this is an old post, but could I possibly get a copy of the overhaul instructions for the P 12 compass? I have recently refurbished our family Auster 5c and would like to have the compass overhauled as well.

Thanks,
Andrew

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Hi Andrew,
Terry P. cannot answer you (or anyone ) at this time as his computer has blown up and is completely “clapped”. I’ve phoned Terry and told him about your post and he said OK, he’ll be in touch when he can get on Internet again, (No date known yet). I only live 7 miles away, so will relay anything during this period. Don’t think his mind is on A/C at this time, as his house heating Combi-boiler-Unit has also decided to expire, 😡 And as its still effectively winter time here, all their time is expended in keeping warm.

Hope this helps a bit,

Bill T.

Hi Redhill Wings,
H’mmmmmm !!! My thoughts are that this is cockpit related and WW2 or 1940’s item. This reminds me of the “Silica Gel” crystals later clear plastic cylindrical containers that were fitted in to the Windscreen de-misting and air drying systems in our 1950-60-70s UK military jets. Usually kept in the c/pit somewhere the unit was filled with/changed,— these crystals at given servicing times. The system air would pass through these crystals on it’s way to inner windscreen sandwich and the cystals would change colour as they soaked up moisture in the air. ( Think it was blue to start, then changed to pink as moisture accumulated ). These units would always be part of a BF–T R–AF, etc anyway and it didn’t take long to change unit.

I feel that your item found could be an early(Or WW2 ) version of these and quite likey American. Though it might/Might not had any “Silica Gel” crystals inside. But the ide of that unscrew thread and lock ring makes sense as does that damaged steel internal piece at other end that looks like an internal rod or tube support that took a tuffnol clamp or some sort of bearing inside.
So as said before, this is a lightweight something, almost certainly C/pit related that can be quickly removed when reqd. That doesn’t say “Torque tube” or “heavy support ” tube to me.

Please take these as “What it Might be” clues only,just trying to narrow it’s ID down. That “bullet hole” looks real enough, but as stated, that plane it was in could have been used for target practice, in its many forms. Certainly is a puzzler, hope you get it definately I.D’d.

Bill T.

Mahmood Alam, Pakistani Fighter Pilot.

He had all the right training and experience that we know was tops at that time. He knew the Hunter very well. If he was an aggressive “Fighter” pilot once in the air that could be a very formidable foe. I’ve known Pakistani’s who have that “Annoyed and outraged” sense of justice, that was needed to carry him through. A Pakistani and Sira Lankan pair of surgeons did my “Stent” fitment up in a Liverpool Hospital and they were brilliant at what they did. And while out in OMAN, we had an excellent Model Aircraft building and flying Club us Brits operated at Thumrait and we had one Omani SOAF Officer and one Pakistani Medical Centre Flight Sgt who loved the building and flying. The Officer was very good and the Flight Sgt. overwhelmed by what was alien to him, but we guided and helped him through his first Trainer build and got him up to his first solo, which he flew beautifully and landed the same. We all were impressed by his intent to “Stick with it” agreed by the 2 Hunter Fighter pilots (Brits) who were also model Aircraft Fliers there So with the right Pakistani, the right training/experience, this is totally possible.

My view comes from many years serving in RAF as ground crew and again out in Oman with SOAF. (Airworks) getting to know pilots very well. OK, The article written in Badassoftheweek yes does have inaccuracies, but I would say most of Mahmood Alams story has a lot of solid substance. I’ve never heard of this man or his deeds before either, which is a shame.

So for me its a YES !! till someone proves otherwise. ( I’ll not ask a friend or go 50-50 )

Bill T.

Interesting subject !!!

Thanks for bringing this subject up Ewan, I’ve never” twigged” ( :stupid: -oops sorry !!! ) this before, but it is a definate problem. Interesting questions and answers too. A few cats around would help. Here in UK, to my knowledge the problems with Birds and Static Aircraft is the birds nesting and roosting habits.
The birds Guano build up inside airframes + the odd dead carcases and food bits left, not to mention nesting debris, start off a corrosion problem and if not found—expensive yuk !! in sorting out.

The Parrokeets problem in London, that Spartacus mentions is another problem in the making, no doubt individuals pets thrown out and breed into a colony. If these birds ever made their way up to my house and started the felt roof ripping process on my flat roofed garage, then the 2 cats and dog would harass them non stop. The dog barking would alert the cats and they can climb all over roof of our bungalow as well as sneak up on Garage. In Winter the one cat wakes me up to go out at between 5-6am to catch anything and in Summer around 3-30— 4 am. The birds have wised up to this though now, but the odd rats haven’t. Also around here birds of prey glide by quite often, so that sounds like a good idea for your Museum too.

The Newark C/pit Fest here in UK, used to have a “Birds of Prey”section that attended for display mainly. (Don’t know if they still do ). So maybe a chat with your local “Birds of prey” society might be of mutual benefit.

Ewan, please keep us posted on developments as really these various “Birds” habits problems affect museums and private collections everywhere and pooling ideas has to be a good thing. But of course here in UK, we don’t have the snakes /spiders/lizards/etc/etc problems that other countries do, so we don’t have to watch out for:- “Rattlers”–Cobra’s-Brown–Mamba’s, Funnel Webs and Red Backs–etc which would freak out most volunteers who ever disturbed one.

Bill T.

LoL !! Good one Anthony.

Ian, can’t make Newark this Sat. Have fun.

Bill T.

Oooowwwhhhh !!! Right !! Thanks Robbo, got it now. Well I guess they have to come up with ways of raising cash., because it is good that XH 558 is kept as servicable as possible, but I won’t be volunteering, as been it, seen it, done it, got the Tee Shirt. (On 558 too). Do wish the team best of luck though, she is a national treasure now.

Bill T.

Johnny Johnson must also be aware of the fascist dictatorship currently being installed in this country, ( And I’ll bet it makes him cringe in dis-belief ) which basically is putting 2 fingers up to all our forefathers who served in WW2 and doesn’t seem to care about todays UK Forces either. ( http://www.ukcolumn.org ) People need to wake up—fast !!!! if not for themselves but for their kids and grandkids futures.

Bill T.

Remember em arriving at Halton 1959.

The latest history info I have (2011) is:

d/d 27/08/1954, 07/09/54 – 2 FTS “O-W”, “Q-F”, “4”, “O-F” – 1 SoTT Halton 59 – 7616M allocated 05/10/59 – 248 MU, Headley Court, Chessington 01/72 – to Cuxwold, Lincs 08/08/75 – to Thorpe Water Park, Chertsey, Surrey 13/05/79 – to Chinnor, Oxon 81 – to Llanelli by 05/84 – to WAM 12/84 in exchange for Proctor G-AHTE – sometime coded “O-F” – to Stratford Aircraft Collection, Long Marston, Warks by late 92 – South Yorkshire Air Museum, Firbeck, S Yorks by 04/95 – to Bomber County Aviation Museum, Hemswell, Lincs by 08/96 – to Vaughn Meers and displayed at the Wartime Aircraft Recovery Group Aviation Museum, Sleap, Shropshire by 09/05 – currently stored, Sleap Airfield, Shropshire 07/2011,

I await the holes to be picked:D

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Hi Bob,

Remember these Piston Provosts arriving at RAF Halton Airframe Workshops back then. They were flown into Halton Airfield,wings off and moved up to workshops and re assembled all in same day. I was sad to see the Prentices moved out to Airfield and were very quickly GONE !!! I did my basic Airframe rigging on those fine ,solid machines.
But, I did like the Piston Provosts and jumped on them any chance I got, good to see some are still around, hope this one re-surfaces and static restored.
George—–Hope you get WW388 back-please do keep us all posted on developments and best wishes and luck to you.

Bill T.