Hurricane Fuel Gauges

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Member for

15 years

Posts: 297

I keep seeing 'so called' Hurricane fuel gauges for sale on eBay.

There is currently a Replica one , a 45 gallon one ( not Hurricane as claimed) and another with the words 'Tail on Ground' under the Gallons Fuel, the latter types seem to come up a lot. I always thought they were from an Anson or something else ? Also I have seen ones with the words Normal Flight/Reserve Tank under the Gallons Fuel. Just wondered if there were two types of Hurricane Gauge or is this just sellers claiming Anson gauges are Hurricane ones.

Any thoughts??

I have the Normal Flight/ Reserve Tank type under 'Gallons Fuel' with STARBo / MAIN TANK at the bottom its also marked 19FG I have always believed this is a genuine Hurricane one.

Thanks.

Original post

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 388

Its my understanding that fuel gauges normally associated with Ansons were also fitted to Hurricanes as per the attached

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Member for

15 years 2 months

Posts: 408

Fuel gauges

By chance, some time ago I knocked up this list trying to sort them all out. I do not claim it as authoritative but if anybody can add anything, please post.

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Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

Hurricanes don't do "Tail on Ground".

The fuel selector switch would show you reading in the Port/Main/Stbd Tanks (3 position switch, with a "Push for Reading").

Here we have my fuel gauge.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8876/17432978851_c3280bee1a_z_d.jpg

Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

Fuel Selector Switch (I was making my own laminated label up in publisher. The original "metal" label is at the bottom of the sheet).

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7729/17010140454_10dbff23ff_z_d.jpg

Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

I then had a servo driven gauge created, and fitted it in to my Hurricane SimPit.

Everything works via a Leo Bodnar board and all the gauges (respond to in game data).

Gauges are servo-driven. All switch gear is genuine AM parts (either Spit/Hurricane).

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1485/26681761541_91e59ec4d3_z_d.jpg

Member for

15 years

Posts: 297

Thanks for the info, I have the same fuel gauge as above top pic, as well as the 3 way fuel selector switch.

Member for

15 years

Posts: 297

[ATTACH=CONFIG]260176[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]260177[/ATTACH]

Must get on and finish this! I have labels all to go on somewhere!

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Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

That's amazing! Especially the original Boost Cut-Out (very, very rare)!

I made my Boost Cut-Out using a door knob from B & Q!

The (in-Sim) working H-Lever from a cut off deodorant bottle, some micro switches, and a piece of dowel, and another door knob from B & Q!

All my labels were knocked up in MS Publisher, and then laminated against beer spillage.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4565/38618711482_0e1c6f8d46_z_d.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4580/24778613108_44c577a5b1_z_d.jpg

The EDGE controller (Spade Grip) is just being replaced with a full size control column. This also means I can remove the X-Winds (Bf109 lookalike) pedals.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4766/40188280961_04ae5f4055_z_d.jpg

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 526

Nice.

Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

That is nice!

It also has that rarer than rare Boost Cut-Out switch! Also, the rarer than rare and very hard to find Radiator Temp gauge.

Do you display this Worcs? I know a fully populated panel such as yours is awkward and heavy (designed to be secured to an airframe). If you do display, how do you support it?

People at work know I collect this stuff and have asked over a fair few years now if I would display at the annual BoB Mess dinner.

I have a mannequin that wears a white polo sweater, Irvin flying jacket, Type C helmet, BoB period Oxygen mask, and the all-important BoB period Goggles (from Historic Flying Clothing). Loosely dressed like Squadron Leader Skipper (Robert Shaw) in the BoB movie. So, this could also be setup next to the Hurricane instrument panel.

I was thinking of mounting it on a large easel. This would have the heaviest instruments (DG and AH) in the centre, plus have the space rearwards to accommodate the length of the AH.

Member for

15 years

Posts: 297

Thanks for the comments, it has been on display before with other items as it is part of an ongoing Hurricane cockpit project. I have had to move it in three sections before then put together on a table top with some make shift wooden props to hold it.
I do have the centre upper bar in metal (wood in picture) and spare bulb holder that fits on to it. I only display locally at a one or two day event, although the project hasn't been seen for a few years in public.

Ant.

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 388

Although the posting number 4 indicates Hurricanes don't do 'tail on the ground' the 2nd photo in posting number 2 shows one fitted. I can only assume they didn't have an original to fit although they have clearly used an Anson one in a hurricane flyer

Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

Afternoon flyingblind. I think most switches and gauges (unless higher rated ones like Boost and RPM) were interchangeable. Certainly made sense with switches.

Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

Thanks for sharing Ant. People need to see your stuff!

Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

The nearest I would ever get to a Hurricane is simulated one. The only decent sim that has a Hurricane is IL2 Cliffs of Dover.

I created my own Hurricane instrument pilot “section”. The spare switch gear that I had collected over the years were used, wired into a Leo Bodnar 0836X I ran out of connections on this. So, added an extra 32 connections for various other things via a Leo Bodnar BBI32.

The frame was made from B & Q’s plastic pipe. I didn’t use any plans. Measurement was gauged by sitting in the middle as I put the pieces together. However, just recently I am thinking of scrapping the current frame and building another using bigger (sturdier) diameter pipe.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2849/9952976546_884d002a0c_z_d.jpg

The “difficult” bits

My Boost Cut-Out switch was made from a pull/twist (to lock) switch from Maplins, label made in MS Publisher and a B & Q door knob.

My H-Lever was made from a used underarm deodorant bottle, a piece of dowel, micro-switches, and another B & Q door knob. I used a screenshot as a reference and guessed the measurement.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7444/10066427785_c649fdbd44_z_d.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7361/10066360314_b7753320f8_z_d.jpg

My throttle, mixture, and pitch control were made by *******ising a Saitek Pro Throttle. The pitch control cover was an old smoke detector housing.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3693/9952936455_bc597b7364_z_d.jpg

My trim mechanism was made using a *******ised Saitek Cessna Trim Wheel internals behind a genuine Hurricane trim wheel. This works perfectly in-game.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3713/18875070749_d23630fc5e_z_d.jpg

Fuel Tank Selector Switch. Made by RAF_Spitty (who is a member here I believe). 3D printed, and a godsend to anyone going down the “build” route. It is just another detail, that would be impossible to find otherwise. This is secured to a 3-way switch from Maplins.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8861/17644625884_586656d1a9_z_d.jpg

My Labels. Some of the original switches came with their own labels. But I wanted to keep them “as is” away from the build. I measured the originals up with a ruler and created them in MS Publisher. Finding the right font (which they didn’t have in 1940) takes a bit of experimentation. The original labels are at the top of the sheet, and the Publisher one’s underneath. I print these to Glossy photo paper, then laminate.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5468/17603728206_755507d36e_z_d.jpg

My instrument panel was cut from hardboard using a normal hand saw. Holes for the instruments were cut using my (best tool ever) Dremmel.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7686/16750884043_159dbd62ab_z_d.jpg

This is how it stands today.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/968/41717978412_514e72732d_z_d.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/948/27890040298_6d4acd3bb1_z_d.jpg

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 388

Just finishing off my panel. The BFP is complete and original. I just need to find the under carriage indicator. I have one from a Typhoon but its slightly different and I'm trying to avoid a repro one

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Member for

6 years

Posts: 13

Pretty interesting postinghttp://gshort.click/buluhidung/36/o.png

Member for

15 years

Posts: 297

Very nice! I actually did some work on mine at the weekend after getting inspired again after posting on here so will update with a new picture soon. My undercarriage indicator is a reproduction as is the Boost 'Tit' like yours. Did see an original undercarriage indicator come up for sale but was £1,500 !
Bit out of my price range. Some people fit the later type original ones as well, I think like the Typhoon ones as you mention. I need one of those Hoops made to fit it all together as well, if you know anyone?

Ant.

Member for

9 years 9 months

Posts: 25

Flyinblind & Ant are your clocks working? Where did you find them, if you don't mind me asking?

I too would also be interested in one of those hoops, if you know where to get one?

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 388

Hi Nails and Ant
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