By: Air Ministry
- 17th August 2019 at 17:48Permalink
I don't know whether this is worth mentioning, but up to about twenty years ago, there was a Hercules engine, on a stand, in a surplus store I used to frequent. Not being interested in aero-engines, I cannot say what Mark it was but it was in very good order.
I didn't visit the shop for quite a few years but when I eventually called back in the Hercules was gone.
IIRC, the proprietor of the shop told me it had gone to some sort of educational facility. The memory is really dim but I want to say this facility was either in Scotland or the far North West of England.
I wonder if it's one you've tracked down in your search for parts?
p.s. the news that work on the Beaufighter is progressing is wonderful - good luck with it.
A big visual clue as to whether a Hercules engine, seen in store or on display somewhere, is of the (war time) type needed by this project is the fact that, almost exclusively, they were painted all-over black. This practice seems to have been discontinued at the end of the war.
OK, there will be exceptions but over-all, this was the case. Presumably because a big round silver radial would have stood out like a sore thumb on a camouflaged aircraft.
By: Beaufighter VI
- 17th August 2019 at 19:37Permalink
You are correct about the black finish. "After anodising iaw Technical Instruction T.N. 73 the exterior was black enamelled to Tech. Instruction T.N. 3"
Thats the next challenge guys, find the Bristol Tech instructions for that period.
By: Mustang51
- 18th August 2019 at 04:30Permalink
I do hope that eventually the aircraft is finished in its RAAF scheme. Did a massive amount of research on its real history. Shall be quite a sight when it flies
Does this mean that the TFC are back in the twin engine game or is the Beau a one off ? I wish them all the best with this it would be superb to see her get airborne :)
Beaufighter VI, what do you need to know regarding the propellers? You mentioned them a while back, sorry, I was away.. but I can probably help. I have been giving a little help lately to a couple of other Hercules engined projects - I might even find you a better alternative than the obvious. I know your main problem is big US 3-blade Hamiltons are all right-handed. P & P, are you listening in?
Thinking right outside the box here:- Is it worth chasing this old story ? We know one came to grief but what happened to the others when they broke down as the article mentions ? Scrap yard/Buried in pits out of site being as they were not meant to have them ?
Posts: 70
By: Fargo Boyle - 17th August 2019 at 13:38 Permalink
Peter Vacher relates the tale of how he got R4118 out of an Indian university in the current Aeroplane Monthly, perhaps he could help?
Posts: 1,919
By: Air Ministry - 17th August 2019 at 17:48 Permalink
I don't know whether this is worth mentioning, but up to about twenty years ago, there was a Hercules engine, on a stand, in a surplus store I used to frequent. Not being interested in aero-engines, I cannot say what Mark it was but it was in very good order.
I didn't visit the shop for quite a few years but when I eventually called back in the Hercules was gone.
IIRC, the proprietor of the shop told me it had gone to some sort of educational facility. The memory is really dim but I want to say this facility was either in Scotland or the far North West of England.
I wonder if it's one you've tracked down in your search for parts?
p.s. the news that work on the Beaufighter is progressing is wonderful - good luck with it.
Posts: 2,841
By: Anon - 17th August 2019 at 18:20 Permalink
A big visual clue as to whether a Hercules engine, seen in store or on display somewhere, is of the (war time) type needed by this project is the fact that, almost exclusively, they were painted all-over black. This practice seems to have been discontinued at the end of the war.
OK, there will be exceptions but over-all, this was the case. Presumably because a big round silver radial would have stood out like a sore thumb on a camouflaged aircraft.
Anon.
Posts: 3,652
By: 1batfastard - 17th August 2019 at 18:40 Permalink
Hi All,
What about Guy Black wouldn't he know exactly the correct contacts ?
Geoff.
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By: Air Ministry - 17th August 2019 at 18:54 Permalink
That's my memory of it....
Posts: 554
By: Beaufighter VI - 17th August 2019 at 19:37 Permalink
You are correct about the black finish. "After anodising iaw Technical Instruction T.N. 73 the exterior was black enamelled to Tech. Instruction T.N. 3"
Thats the next challenge guys, find the Bristol Tech instructions for that period.
Posts: 1,988
By: jeepman - 17th August 2019 at 19:44 Permalink
Bit left field, but have you ever tried the Dominican Republic? They used Beaus post war.
Posts: 2,108
By: Firebird - 17th August 2019 at 20:32 Permalink
As did Turkey, which acquired about 30 of them at the end of WW2.
Posts: 554
By: Beaufighter VI - 17th August 2019 at 20:38 Permalink - Edited 17th August 2019 at 20:50
Follow up on the Shuttleworth Collection tip, they have an online ARCHIVE RESEARCH SERVICE - DATABASE LOOKUP
This was the result of my search for Hercules. (cut and paste disappeared, try your own search)
http://www.shuttlewortharchives.co.u...rch_type=loose
Posts: 168
By: KurtB - 17th August 2019 at 23:23 Permalink
This is great news Pete! Best of luck with what I’m sure will be a challenging journey.
ATB,
Kurt
Posts: 291
By: Mustang51 - 18th August 2019 at 04:30 Permalink
I do hope that eventually the aircraft is finished in its RAAF scheme. Did a massive amount of research on its real history. Shall be quite a sight when it flies
Posts: 131
By: baz62 - 18th August 2019 at 06:02 Permalink
Great news, hope you find all that you need to get her flying.
Posts: 7,029
By: trumper - 18th August 2019 at 13:19 Permalink
Does this mean that the TFC are back in the twin engine game or is the Beau a one off ? I wish them all the best with this it would be superb to see her get airborne :)
Posts: 407
By: skyskooter - 18th August 2019 at 17:41 Permalink
What is the take off run of a Beaufighter in zero wind and how does that compare with the length of Duxford’s main runway?
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By: Beaufighter VI - 18th August 2019 at 18:58 Permalink
How many crew, fuel load, basic weight, etc? Duxford not a problem even with all the variables.
Posts: 407
By: skyskooter - 18th August 2019 at 19:58 Permalink
Reassuring.
Posts: 3,447
By: Beermat - 20th August 2019 at 23:49 Permalink
Beaufighter VI, what do you need to know regarding the propellers? You mentioned them a while back, sorry, I was away.. but I can probably help. I have been giving a little help lately to a couple of other Hercules engined projects - I might even find you a better alternative than the obvious. I know your main problem is big US 3-blade Hamiltons are all right-handed. P & P, are you listening in?
Posts: 554
By: Beaufighter VI - 21st August 2019 at 13:47 Permalink
The props we are looking for are:-
Australia - 33EX, Australian DH No. 35, blades AP455960A.
British - Model No. 3/5000/6, Type No. 55/12 or 14, blades P455960A-17 and P4551778A-17.
Posts: 3,652
By: 1batfastard - 22nd August 2019 at 12:01 Permalink - Edited 22nd August 2019 at 12:37
Hi All,
Beaufighter VI - Came across this site any help with putting you on track ?
Scroll down to 13th advert http://spitfirespares.co.uk/propellors.html
Thinking right outside the box here:- Is it worth chasing this old story ? We know one came to grief but what happened to the others when they broke down as the article mentions ? Scrap yard/Buried in pits out of site being as they were not meant to have them ?
http://segulamag.com/en/articles/sky-heist/
More info regarding above (Scroll down to Beau's) :- http://www.machal.org.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=459&Itemid=790&lang=en
Geoff.
Posts: 554
By: Beaufighter VI - 22nd August 2019 at 12:14 Permalink
Thanks for all the leads guys, keep em' coming.