By: Bellarine
- 5th January 2015 at 07:45Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I just had to do a selfie today !
I will get the other pics up shortly but here's me on the port engine having a fine old time. I know it sounds silly but I feel really privileged to be able to even just clean the Beau from top to bottom. It's the best way to get to know the ins and outs of the aircraft
By: Bellarine
- 5th January 2015 at 10:18Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Some more from today, lots of wiping down and scrubbing, and of course removing the port air intake to have a look inside....
Finished off the tail area today, you can clearly see before and after in this shot....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234327[/ATTACH]
I only decided to remove the air intake after cleaning it, just because I was keen to have a look...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234328[/ATTACH]
Because this is the inactive engine, the carby top was not bolted in, gave me a little scare when I took the intake off. No matter, gave it a clean, and had a look, some work to be done, no reason why we can't get the engine going, it's more that the props are stuffed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234329[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234330[/ATTACH]
Cleaned down upper port wing too, the creaking noises as I made my way out to the edge were a little disconcerting !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234331[/ATTACH]
One of my preferred weapons for small areas - the mighty toothbrush....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234332[/ATTACH]
I will hopefully have some shots of the last outer upper areas tomorrow, as well as some before and after observers dome. It will start to move internally after that, and then I will be putting shots up as I work on fixing various things internally. Hope thats all fine with you all :)
By: trumper
- 5th January 2015 at 17:55Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
:applause: Brilliant .It is a satisfying job, i remember the fun cleaning the planes up at Shuttleworth watching them go from dirty and dusty to shiny and clean :)
Can the Beaufighter be ground run and taxy and is it ever likely to?
By: Bellarine
- 6th January 2015 at 08:17Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
:applause: Brilliant .It is a satisfying job, i remember the fun cleaning the planes up at Shuttleworth watching them go from dirty and dusty to shiny and clean :)
Can the Beaufighter be ground run and taxy and is it ever likely to?
It was last run around 1988 but we have been cycling the engines recently - contrary to popular belief, they both cycle ok. Taxi and engine run? Watch over this year, there is a lot to be done yet but the aircraft has life in her yet :)
By: Bellarine
- 8th January 2015 at 03:11Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I had been meaning to upload some more pics, apologies, my computer is in two pieces (literally)
BUT!
It may look like watching paint dry to some, but after many years of inaction, there is life in the old girl. Ash and myself shot a little clip today on my phone. Enjoy and feel free to share.
By: Bellarine
- 8th January 2015 at 04:49Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes the weather has been incredibly humid. You do get an appreciation of how they would have had to deal with these aircraft in the tropics during ww2. Pity the battery ran out of juice during the port cycle but I'm going to do some work in that engine soon and give it a solid work over :)
By: Bellarine
- 12th January 2015 at 09:32Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Been some interesting things going on - heres some updates.
As per previous post - we now cycle both props regularly and I have been working the flaps via the hand pump daily. This of course has led to a few leaks which is to be expected when you waking Sleeping Beauty from a 20 year slumber !
Anyway, some pics of work done :
Batteries plugged in, and lights internally all come on (aside from the two that have been pinched :(
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234502[/ATTACH]
Those cabin lights do give off a decent amount of light...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234503[/ATTACH]
Plugged in and ready to go !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234504[/ATTACH]
Five quarts of hydraulic oil in.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234505[/ATTACH]
Flaps down, before cleaning
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234506[/ATTACH]
And after
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234507[/ATTACH]
Observer dome before acrylic polish
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234508[/ATTACH]
After
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234509[/ATTACH]
Wow so good I could take a decent pic thru it !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234510[/ATTACH]
More in the next post - so please read this and the next one as a single lot :)
By: Bellarine
- 12th January 2015 at 09:41Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
OK Pt Two of the weekend work
Starboard side cleaned up
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234511[/ATTACH]
Armament access panel starboard removed. This was to locate the source of an old leak of hydraulic fluid - turns out it was the hand pump
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234512[/ATTACH]
View inside where the cannons were.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234513[/ATTACH]
Cleaned up the tailfin - stuck the camera in, and only just realised thanks to an eagle eye on Facebk that there is a whopping birds nest up top. Right that's coming out !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234514[/ATTACH]
In amongst this we had a very special visit on the Sunday. 94 year old Flying Officer Dr Bruce Jones came in to visit and see the Beau. He is a former member of 30/31 SQDN who flew Beaus from Coomalie Creek, provided escorts for Catalinas from Broome and served from Morotai. A lovely bloke and he was thrilled to see the aircraft finished in 31SQDN markings (their code is EH) even though the actual number of the aircraft is different. He was full of amazing and funny stories, showed us some photos and pointed out who he knew on the honour role. The Museum's Beaufighter is dedicated to 31SQDN. I will drop in and have a coffee with him as he wants to introduce me to his mate in the nursing home who is a survivor of Bomber Command and a member of the Caterpillar Club.
By: Bellarine
- 12th January 2015 at 09:55Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
So when can I expect to see it on the usual Moorabbin flight path down Centre Dandenong Road into Park Road and over my house. :D
Wouldn't that be just the best thing to happen :) Anyone out there have a spare few million to help get it in the air ? Oh and a set of props for the port side, couple of engine spares and someone small enough to fit into the pilot seat and fly it !
By: Bellarine
- 24th March 2015 at 07:52Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Is it really over two months since my last post ? sheesh, no wonder! Been clocking up 60 hours a week plus in my day job so the poor Beau has not been getting my attention.
But, I got back into it last weekend and started on the centre area floor. I can safely say it has not been done since 1980 as the amount of caked on gunge is ridiculous. So, armed with a few toothbrushes, Mr sheen and four bags of rags, I got to work. Each area takes about an hour to do.
Before just to the right of the observer seat
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236217[/ATTACH]
After
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236218[/ATTACH]
Before - this is just behind the bulkhead where the front pilot access port is (my terminology)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236219[/ATTACH]
And after
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236220[/ATTACH]
As school holidays approach I will be looking to get into the engine areas and work on the firewalls. Having let the aircraft rest for a bit shows where the leaks are, and there are a few. Time to fix them up !
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 5th January 2015 at 07:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I just had to do a selfie today !
I will get the other pics up shortly but here's me on the port engine having a fine old time. I know it sounds silly but I feel really privileged to be able to even just clean the Beau from top to bottom. It's the best way to get to know the ins and outs of the aircraft
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234320[/ATTACH]
Cheers
Posts: 2,435
By: Seafuryfan - 5th January 2015 at 09:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Fewer aircraft have ever looked more like a weapon of war...'all business', especially the first and last photos of #19. Keep 'em coming, good work!
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 5th January 2015 at 10:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Some more from today, lots of wiping down and scrubbing, and of course removing the port air intake to have a look inside....
Finished off the tail area today, you can clearly see before and after in this shot....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234327[/ATTACH]
I only decided to remove the air intake after cleaning it, just because I was keen to have a look...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234328[/ATTACH]
Because this is the inactive engine, the carby top was not bolted in, gave me a little scare when I took the intake off. No matter, gave it a clean, and had a look, some work to be done, no reason why we can't get the engine going, it's more that the props are stuffed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234329[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234330[/ATTACH]
Cleaned down upper port wing too, the creaking noises as I made my way out to the edge were a little disconcerting !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234331[/ATTACH]
One of my preferred weapons for small areas - the mighty toothbrush....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234332[/ATTACH]
I will hopefully have some shots of the last outer upper areas tomorrow, as well as some before and after observers dome. It will start to move internally after that, and then I will be putting shots up as I work on fixing various things internally. Hope thats all fine with you all :)
Posts: 131
By: Oily Rag - 5th January 2015 at 17:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Trust you are following this - to the letter..!!
Good job, keep up the good work.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234344[/ATTACH]
Posts: 7,027
By: trumper - 5th January 2015 at 17:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
:applause: Brilliant .It is a satisfying job, i remember the fun cleaning the planes up at Shuttleworth watching them go from dirty and dusty to shiny and clean :)
Can the Beaufighter be ground run and taxy and is it ever likely to?
Posts: 901
By: Mr Merry - 5th January 2015 at 18:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Please keep them coming, I have always had a soft spot for the Beaufighter.
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 6th January 2015 at 08:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It was last run around 1988 but we have been cycling the engines recently - contrary to popular belief, they both cycle ok. Taxi and engine run? Watch over this year, there is a lot to be done yet but the aircraft has life in her yet :)
Posts: 7,027
By: trumper - 6th January 2015 at 11:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
:applause: Keeping fingers crossed here.Please video it if it happens :)
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 8th January 2015 at 03:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I had been meaning to upload some more pics, apologies, my computer is in two pieces (literally)
BUT!
It may look like watching paint dry to some, but after many years of inaction, there is life in the old girl. Ash and myself shot a little clip today on my phone. Enjoy and feel free to share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O436zeaX_Cc&list=UUNgrR7rNTdVWrGtk4fi9mAw
Cheers
Posts: 776
By: ErrolC - 8th January 2015 at 03:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great work!
Posts: 1,566
By: Malcolm McKay - 8th January 2015 at 04:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Fantastic work - especially given the weather here in the last few days. I live just down the road from the airport.
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 8th January 2015 at 04:49 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes the weather has been incredibly humid. You do get an appreciation of how they would have had to deal with these aircraft in the tropics during ww2. Pity the battery ran out of juice during the port cycle but I'm going to do some work in that engine soon and give it a solid work over :)
Posts: 146
By: Trak-Tor - 8th January 2015 at 07:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Wow! Beaufighter in action! Great! :cool:
Posts: 7,027
By: trumper - 8th January 2015 at 09:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
:applause: Wonderful stuff,please keep updating this lovely project :) Thank you,here's to hoping for some ground running in the future :)
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 12th January 2015 at 09:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Been some interesting things going on - heres some updates.
As per previous post - we now cycle both props regularly and I have been working the flaps via the hand pump daily. This of course has led to a few leaks which is to be expected when you waking Sleeping Beauty from a 20 year slumber !
Anyway, some pics of work done :
Batteries plugged in, and lights internally all come on (aside from the two that have been pinched :(
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234502[/ATTACH]
Those cabin lights do give off a decent amount of light...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234503[/ATTACH]
Plugged in and ready to go !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234504[/ATTACH]
Five quarts of hydraulic oil in.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234505[/ATTACH]
Flaps down, before cleaning
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234506[/ATTACH]
And after
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234507[/ATTACH]
Observer dome before acrylic polish
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234508[/ATTACH]
After
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234509[/ATTACH]
Wow so good I could take a decent pic thru it !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234510[/ATTACH]
More in the next post - so please read this and the next one as a single lot :)
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 12th January 2015 at 09:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
OK Pt Two of the weekend work
Starboard side cleaned up
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234511[/ATTACH]
Armament access panel starboard removed. This was to locate the source of an old leak of hydraulic fluid - turns out it was the hand pump
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234512[/ATTACH]
View inside where the cannons were.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234513[/ATTACH]
Cleaned up the tailfin - stuck the camera in, and only just realised thanks to an eagle eye on Facebk that there is a whopping birds nest up top. Right that's coming out !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234514[/ATTACH]
In amongst this we had a very special visit on the Sunday. 94 year old Flying Officer Dr Bruce Jones came in to visit and see the Beau. He is a former member of 30/31 SQDN who flew Beaus from Coomalie Creek, provided escorts for Catalinas from Broome and served from Morotai. A lovely bloke and he was thrilled to see the aircraft finished in 31SQDN markings (their code is EH) even though the actual number of the aircraft is different. He was full of amazing and funny stories, showed us some photos and pointed out who he knew on the honour role. The Museum's Beaufighter is dedicated to 31SQDN. I will drop in and have a coffee with him as he wants to introduce me to his mate in the nursing home who is a survivor of Bomber Command and a member of the Caterpillar Club.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234515[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]234516[/ATTACH]
I will be headed off to the beach for a couple of weeks but will resume the work when I return. Cheers
Posts: 1,566
By: Malcolm McKay - 12th January 2015 at 09:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
So when can I expect to see it on the usual Moorabbin flight path down Centre Dandenong Road into Park Road and over my house. :D
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 12th January 2015 at 09:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Wouldn't that be just the best thing to happen :) Anyone out there have a spare few million to help get it in the air ? Oh and a set of props for the port side, couple of engine spares and someone small enough to fit into the pilot seat and fly it !
Posts: 146
By: Trak-Tor - 12th January 2015 at 10:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Excellent work there! And fantastic pictures! :)
Posts: 405
By: Bellarine - 24th March 2015 at 07:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Is it really over two months since my last post ? sheesh, no wonder! Been clocking up 60 hours a week plus in my day job so the poor Beau has not been getting my attention.
But, I got back into it last weekend and started on the centre area floor. I can safely say it has not been done since 1980 as the amount of caked on gunge is ridiculous. So, armed with a few toothbrushes, Mr sheen and four bags of rags, I got to work. Each area takes about an hour to do.
Before just to the right of the observer seat
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236217[/ATTACH]
After
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236218[/ATTACH]
Before - this is just behind the bulkhead where the front pilot access port is (my terminology)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236219[/ATTACH]
And after
[ATTACH=CONFIG]236220[/ATTACH]
As school holidays approach I will be looking to get into the engine areas and work on the firewalls. Having let the aircraft rest for a bit shows where the leaks are, and there are a few. Time to fix them up !