Stirling Project Update

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Member for

19 years 11 months

Posts: 1,988

Tried the tool for cross drilling bolts from Frost Auto Restoration Techniques??

 

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

I haven't seen that tool but I've got it off to a fine art now😖

A subtle change in functionality in that you can drag and drop images and organise text around them pretty much as you used to, only awkward thing though is that it seems to elongate the images a tad

John

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Another update, you lucky people😁

After the saga of identifying the correct pulleys for the flying controls we went ahead and designed our own as we knew what they had to carry and the max size they could be; we had 20 off of these made as that's how many of the originals that were called up. I collected these yesterday courstesy of Eaton Socon Engineering and fitted them today, compared to original photos they look 'right' so that's half the battle won👍

Previously, we'd had some shackles for the control cables made and we fitted these to the previously fitted control levers in last weeks' post, a small but important piece of progress.

Finally, Graham assembled the Elevator Pushrod that connects the control column to the aforementioned control levers, this is all new build apart from the forward adjustable fork end which came from the 2nd MacRoberts Reply Stirling. This is the only piece we have from that aircraft and a very poignant piece to incorporate. Pics below

take care

John

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Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

Another fine update John, those small original pieces incorporated make those lost aircraft keep living, small part a very big story.

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

morning all

we had a slightly longer session at the workshop yesterday, but didn't seem to get too much done as there was a lot of fiddly stuff to get through; even so a small amount of progress was made

Cliff has made a start on the larger of the 2 fold up steps/platforms that close off the entrance to the Bomb Aimers stairwell. This was measured from an example at the Fort Veldhuis museum some time ago and I'd like to thank them belatedly for the access to these and all the other items we've had previously. The photo below shows the lower skin of the step and this has 'lots' of holes to mark out including those for the flanged lightening holes of which there are 40 x 1.5" diameter ones to form. The step is only 1" thick so making the U sections and top hat sections that separate the skins will be a fun undertaking.

In the meantime after a brief interlude on the Aileron Pulley Assy, I felt guilty and returned to the Glycol Tanks and cradle; this needs 4 off straps and barrel nuts making to secure the tank to the cradle. In time honoured fashion, Shorts saw fit to have this made from 24 separate parts, although thankfully I've just been able to order 4 off 1/4 BSF saddle washers which will make my life easier.

We're still in Tier 2 (just) so I'm hoping to get one more trip in to the workshop on Xmas Eve as I have a free pass whilst the better half goes to get her hair done.

I hope that everyone stays safe and well over this difficult period and I wish you all a healthy and safe Christmas and New Year

John

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Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

Little by little but massive steps towards a Stirling !

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Had a final security check of the workshop and pre-lockdown yesterday; I picked up a few things to tinker with over the enforced break and tidied up or Bolt rack as the phantom bolt mixer has been at work

So no progress as such.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Xmas and New Year

Best Wishes from

The Stirling crew

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Well it's been less brass monkeys today so I've been brave enough to venture into the garage to do some pottering. Nothing too adventurous but having marked out the sheet metal template for the Pilots seat lower armour, I thought I'd pilot drill it. I also marked out and roughly cut the 4 off mounts for the armour plate itself.

I can't do much else at the moment as the workshop is obviously out of bounds and I'll need to offer the plate up to the seat frame to make sure it all lines up (measure twice, drill once), so I'll limit myself to filing the blocks square which takes me back to trade training at Halton!😊

So as a taster, here's the panel template and the 4 off mounts

take care all

John

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Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

Thanks for the update John, how frustrating this all is.

Nice bit of engineers blue?

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Indeed TA

And as you know, one microdot of engineers' Blue can cover an entire workshop lol

Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

do not get it on your fingers !!!

Member for

4 years

Posts: 127

Wide tipped permanent marker is cheaper and less messy :)

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Deffo, only problem is it's so flippin cold in winter and hot in summer in our workshop the markers never seem to last long, consequently more expensive in the long run😜

cheers

john

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Hi all

Hope you're all ok.

A very small update, but progress however how small is still progress...

At the weekend I spent some time in the garage filing away at the fixed armour plate mounts for the Pilots seat. Thanks to Robert at the museum in Deelen we had the exact measurements from there seat so that was a big help. As it's been a bit warmer I've now primed them so they are ready for drilling, but need to do that in conjunction with the seat itself to make sure it's all set square.

Cliff has been beavering way on the larger of the 2 fold up steps between the seats and we just need to find someone to make us a quantity of 'witches hat' section channel that separates the upper and lower skins. 

And finally, having looked through the Vol 3 I've been able to identify all of the material needed to make all of the Flying control rods up to and including Frame 14 which is where we're terminating the nose section. we've got the requisite LH and RH 1/4 and 5/16" BSF fork ends and am just waiting on the steel bar to cut down to size and die the threads.

take care all

John

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Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

Thanks for the update John, small step, but at least its a step !!! well the Step will be a Step also✔️

Member for

3 years 1 month

Posts: 2

If money and spare parts were available it would have been better

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Where would the fun be in that LOL

True though, having access to some cheap original spares would be good, but we've been fairly lucky over the years with people contributing information and parts. Hopefully once Covid ends we can step up a gear and we have some exciting plans for the year coming

John

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Fed up with being stuck indoors, it was time to brave the cold and finish off the remaining 1/4 bsf flying control rods fwd of fr6.

From top to bottom:

Rudder control rods Fr4 to 5

Rudder control rods Fr 5 to 6

Autopilot control rods

I have enough 5/16" material to make a number of the elevator controls but will need to order in some longer lengths to make the control rods aft of Fr 6

take care

John

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Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

Well done John, thank you for another fine update !!

Member for

20 years

Posts: 3,031

Absolutely stunning and awe inspiring work you guys are doing....
Loving the updates.