By: 12jaguar
- 22nd April 2008 at 18:45Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
There's another one in the Netherlands. The story about it still hurts in the hearts of some people.:cool:
Cheers
Cees
Hi Cees,
Would that be the one that the owner wants a lot of money for?
Junk Collector mentions that this is yet another Stirling Control Column back in the UK, I wasn't aware that there are any others can anyone elaborate?
By: Junk Collector
- 22nd April 2008 at 18:53Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
We intend to carefully dismantle it and use the parts as patterns to manufacture 2 new ones, it will then be re-assembled and displayed in its current form as it is a great exhibit in its own right.
John
Sorry to open a philosphical argument but surely wouldnt incorporating the original into the project give the project more originality and history than a reproduction. Obviously everyone has, and is entitled to their own opinion but that is my feeling.
By: Cees Broere
- 22nd April 2008 at 19:46Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Cees,
Would that be the one that the owner wants a lot of money for?
Junk Collector mentions that this is yet another Stirling Control Column back in the UK, I wasn't aware that there are any others can anyone elaborate?
John
Hi John, yes that's the same. Looks like the projected cockpit section is having it's fittings gathered. Good show.
By: 12jaguar
- 22nd April 2008 at 20:07Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Sorry to open a philosphical argument but surely wouldnt incorporating the original into the project give the project more originality and history than a reproduction. Obviously everyone has, and is entitled to their own opinion but that is my feeling.
Hi,
I have had similar thoughts on this matter and where possible we intend to incorporate as much original equipment as possible into the reconstruction of the cockpit section. In this case however, the control column has been sectioned for instructional purposes and would be inappropriate to put into the cockpit. However, it is a godsend in that we can temporarily build up the missing sections of casting so that we can create new moulds. We have drawings of some of the items and some originals as well, so we will try to be as sympathetic as possible with the re-build.
By: 12jaguar
- 5th October 2008 at 18:03Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Junk Collector,would this be the same same panel I put a picture of,on the forum this morning ?A clear outline tracing would suffice even if the owner did not want to part with it.
I think it's worth noting that Hindenburg and ourselves have the same aim and an accurate drawing/tracing of said instrument panel would benefit both of us:D
By: 12jaguar
- 15th October 2008 at 08:06Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi all,
As it has been a while since I've posted an update I thought I'd post a few picks of what we've been up to. Following on from the acquisition of the control column from Delft and the use of some parts that Pondskater has leant us, we've been able to commence reverse engineering 2 new control columns. They may not look much but there has been a lot of activity in making new patterns and drawing up of items. The 2 major castings are still fairly rough and need some machining to finish them off.
By: Cees Broere
- 15th October 2008 at 19:25Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
can't agree more, excellent work going on there. Will the project concentrate on the fittings
before starting on the cockpit structure? are those drawings already finalized?
Exciting times to see what progress has been made in recent years by the stirling project.
By: 12jaguar
- 15th October 2008 at 19:47Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
can't agree more, excellent work going on there. Will the project concentrate on the fittings
before starting on the cockpit structure? are those drawings already finalized?
Exciting times to see what progress has been made in recent years by the stirling project.
Cheers
Cees
Hi Cees
A fellow Forumite is making steady progress in producing a CAD model that is already confirming some of the hardcopy drawings that we have produced in the past, most dimensions coming out less than 1/32 of an inch apart which is pretty accurate/reasonable in my book. Once the model is developed we can then start on producing jigs and templates to allow frame manufacture to proceed.
We are making some of the fixtures and fittings as:-
a. we have original drawings and/or items
b. They are more readily transportable allowing us to display them in a cockpit context (see previous posts)
By: Pondskater
- 15th October 2008 at 22:58Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
. . and the use of some parts that Pondskater has leant us . .
Delighted to help - and especially seeing the quality of the parts you are getting made. The bits on loan are from the floor of a Sunderland given to me years ago. It turned out have castings that were missing from the Delft column. Just shows, Stirling parts turn up in the strangest places. I didn't know I had some under my bed!
It is a shame that such lovely work will be hidden away.
It is but it is also marvellous to know that under the floor or behind the panels everything will be in place and right. Painstaking work but well worth it. Well done to all involved.
By: 12jaguar
- 24th January 2009 at 17:11Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi all
Just a quick note to explain why I haven't updated this thread for a while. Work is still progressing on the project aim of reconstructing the forward fuselage section, but unfortunately we've had to put our plans on hold for the time being as we've been temporarily evicted from our workshop due to the revelopment of RAF Wyton. We lost our previous workshop as it was required by the Station although we were able to operate from a couple of small rooms that still had light and power.
Unfortunately we were then evicted from them as well as the rest of the Hangar refurbishment was brought forward, this has necessitated everything moving on to the hangar floor and has stopped all major work as we have no power in the hangar and we can't even use a portable generator.
That said the MOD have been very supportive and we will be moving into new, fully refurbished accomodation within the same hangar that will actually be much better than our previous workshop. The only downside is the disruption to our progress just as we were getting up a head of steam and we have lost a certain amount of storage space which has meant exploring the loaning out some of our sizeable relics.
The FN5 Nose Gun Turret is now safely located in the warm and dry of the Wyton based Pathfinder Museum. Work is progressing on the fabrication of items such as the control column bottoms and various other small items so we're not idle.
With any luck we will be back working in earnest by the end of Feb/March.
By: Cees Broere
- 25th January 2009 at 11:22Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks for the update John,
Well if this minor set back will result in better accomodation then it will have to be part of the process won't it? A good outlook for the future at least.
Good to hear that you have so much support at Wyton, totally the opposite happened to Russ Snadden and his cew whil restoring Black Six.
By: 12jaguar
- 25th January 2009 at 12:58Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Cees,
The MOD have been very supportive of our project over the years and have asked very little of us in return. We always support the Wyton Families day and have a very good relationship with the resident Pathfinder Museum. There are currently a lot of changes happening to the infrastructure at Wyton and it will cease to be the recognisable Bomber Station it once was. In fact I think that in time it may cease to be an RAF establishment as it is being given over to Defence Intelligence (a contradiction in terms if ever there was one!:diablo:) So we'll hace to see what the future holds in the long term when the new lords and masters take over.
In the meantime, we have continued support and the RAF has given exactly the accomodation that we'll need to take forward the Project.
Belatedly I must extend our public thanks to MarkG for helping us to get the large control column items cast. (shown above).
Posts: 1,444
By: Junk Collector - 22nd April 2008 at 13:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Nice to see yet another Stirling column back in the UK
Posts: 1,586
By: Cees Broere - 22nd April 2008 at 18:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
There's another one in the Netherlands. The story about it still hurts in the hearts of some people.:cool:
Cheers
Cees
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 22nd April 2008 at 18:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Cees,
Would that be the one that the owner wants a lot of money for?
Junk Collector mentions that this is yet another Stirling Control Column back in the UK, I wasn't aware that there are any others can anyone elaborate?
John
Posts: 1,444
By: Junk Collector - 22nd April 2008 at 18:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Sorry to open a philosphical argument but surely wouldnt incorporating the original into the project give the project more originality and history than a reproduction. Obviously everyone has, and is entitled to their own opinion but that is my feeling.
Posts: 1,586
By: Cees Broere - 22nd April 2008 at 19:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi John, yes that's the same. Looks like the projected cockpit section is having it's fittings gathered. Good show.
Cheers
Ces
Posts: 1,444
By: Junk Collector - 22nd April 2008 at 19:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I also know in the UK the precise location of an Original Stirling Instrument panel. The owner does not wish to part with it though.
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 22nd April 2008 at 20:07 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi,
I have had similar thoughts on this matter and where possible we intend to incorporate as much original equipment as possible into the reconstruction of the cockpit section. In this case however, the control column has been sectioned for instructional purposes and would be inappropriate to put into the cockpit. However, it is a godsend in that we can temporarily build up the missing sections of casting so that we can create new moulds. We have drawings of some of the items and some originals as well, so we will try to be as sympathetic as possible with the re-build.
John
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 5th October 2008 at 18:03 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I think it's worth noting that Hindenburg and ourselves have the same aim and an accurate drawing/tracing of said instrument panel would benefit both of us:D
cheers
john
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 15th October 2008 at 08:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi all,
As it has been a while since I've posted an update I thought I'd post a few picks of what we've been up to. Following on from the acquisition of the control column from Delft and the use of some parts that Pondskater has leant us, we've been able to commence reverse engineering 2 new control columns. They may not look much but there has been a lot of activity in making new patterns and drawing up of items. The 2 major castings are still fairly rough and need some machining to finish them off.
John
Posts: 2,605
By: QldSpitty - 15th October 2008 at 10:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Simply amazing :D
Posts: 1,586
By: Cees Broere - 15th October 2008 at 19:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
can't agree more, excellent work going on there. Will the project concentrate on the fittings
before starting on the cockpit structure? are those drawings already finalized?
Exciting times to see what progress has been made in recent years by the stirling project.
Cheers
Cees
Posts: 504
By: DocStirling - 15th October 2008 at 19:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I second that! Well done chaps :)
DS
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 15th October 2008 at 19:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Cees
A fellow Forumite is making steady progress in producing a CAD model that is already confirming some of the hardcopy drawings that we have produced in the past, most dimensions coming out less than 1/32 of an inch apart which is pretty accurate/reasonable in my book. Once the model is developed we can then start on producing jigs and templates to allow frame manufacture to proceed.
We are making some of the fixtures and fittings as:-
a. we have original drawings and/or items
b. They are more readily transportable allowing us to display them in a cockpit context (see previous posts)
John
Posts: 3,031
By: Arm Waver - 15th October 2008 at 21:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Stunning work there guys.
It is a shame that such lovely work will be hidden away.
Best of luck with the rest of the project.
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 15th October 2008 at 21:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Well you know what they say, 'The devil is in the detail'
At least at the end of this we can sit in the seats and play hangar pilot:diablo:
Posts: 803
By: Pondskater - 15th October 2008 at 22:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Delighted to help - and especially seeing the quality of the parts you are getting made. The bits on loan are from the floor of a Sunderland given to me years ago. It turned out have castings that were missing from the Delft column. Just shows, Stirling parts turn up in the strangest places. I didn't know I had some under my bed!
It is but it is also marvellous to know that under the floor or behind the panels everything will be in place and right. Painstaking work but well worth it. Well done to all involved.
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 24th January 2009 at 17:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi all
Just a quick note to explain why I haven't updated this thread for a while. Work is still progressing on the project aim of reconstructing the forward fuselage section, but unfortunately we've had to put our plans on hold for the time being as we've been temporarily evicted from our workshop due to the revelopment of RAF Wyton. We lost our previous workshop as it was required by the Station although we were able to operate from a couple of small rooms that still had light and power.
Unfortunately we were then evicted from them as well as the rest of the Hangar refurbishment was brought forward, this has necessitated everything moving on to the hangar floor and has stopped all major work as we have no power in the hangar and we can't even use a portable generator.
That said the MOD have been very supportive and we will be moving into new, fully refurbished accomodation within the same hangar that will actually be much better than our previous workshop. The only downside is the disruption to our progress just as we were getting up a head of steam and we have lost a certain amount of storage space which has meant exploring the loaning out some of our sizeable relics.
The FN5 Nose Gun Turret is now safely located in the warm and dry of the Wyton based Pathfinder Museum. Work is progressing on the fabrication of items such as the control column bottoms and various other small items so we're not idle.
With any luck we will be back working in earnest by the end of Feb/March.
cheers for now
John
Posts: 1,586
By: Cees Broere - 25th January 2009 at 11:22 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks for the update John,
Well if this minor set back will result in better accomodation then it will have to be part of the process won't it? A good outlook for the future at least.
Good to hear that you have so much support at Wyton, totally the opposite happened to Russ Snadden and his cew whil restoring Black Six.
Keep it up
Cheers
Cees
Posts: 1,952
By: 12jaguar - 25th January 2009 at 12:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Cees,
The MOD have been very supportive of our project over the years and have asked very little of us in return. We always support the Wyton Families day and have a very good relationship with the resident Pathfinder Museum. There are currently a lot of changes happening to the infrastructure at Wyton and it will cease to be the recognisable Bomber Station it once was. In fact I think that in time it may cease to be an RAF establishment as it is being given over to Defence Intelligence (a contradiction in terms if ever there was one!:diablo:) So we'll hace to see what the future holds in the long term when the new lords and masters take over.
In the meantime, we have continued support and the RAF has given exactly the accomodation that we'll need to take forward the Project.
Belatedly I must extend our public thanks to MarkG for helping us to get the large control column items cast. (shown above).
regards all
John
Posts: 7,742
By: TwinOtter23 - 25th January 2009 at 14:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Will you be displaying at Cockpitfest this year?
It’s always nice to see your Stirling items displayed on former site that operated the type. :)