By: Lee Howard
- 5th April 2016 at 18:35Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great to hear of the progress, but I think that the Bluebird teams diary & fun approach to the progress reports was a much better style and read.
Bob T.
There's no satisfying some people, is there! The standard of workmanship being shown here certainly sets the progress apart from anything else. So much for FAAM not having the expertise, skills or capacity...Proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say :rolleyes:
By: buccaneer66
- 5th April 2016 at 19:44Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Having been there in the workshops and seen the standard of work in person it is very impressive, some of the restored parts look like new.
Before anyone criticises go and see it the work Willy is doing is truly amazing.
By: Consul
- 5th April 2016 at 21:12Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great to hear of the progress, but I think that the Bluebird teams diary & fun approach to the progress reports was a much better style and read.
Bob T.
The prior team's diary was entertaining in its style, but the present team's report is excellent too. We are fortunate they have taken the time to create such a detailed and well presented update for this Forum - thanks Dave.
By: richw_82
- 5th April 2016 at 21:16Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Frame 11 is important of course, but it is not the only section being looked at while we ponder how to deal with the lack of tail wheel and strut. (did someone say they had access to a Mk1 Devon/Heron Nose wheel??- the tyre is different but the actual wheel hub casting should be the same).
Here's the link to a Barracuda tailwheel and tyre listed on eBay currently.
By: steve jaksic
- 6th April 2016 at 09:32Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
G'Day all, much respect and admiration for the Barracuda's road to recovery. Was fortunate to see the parts in progress late 2010. Will have to get back for the eventual unveiling. Regards from Perth, W.A.:cool:
By: sticky847
- 6th April 2016 at 19:15Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Was lucky this morning to briefly meet will and see how the barra was looking, excellent workmanship from will tho it does look like he has a job for life!
By: sopwith.7f1
- 7th April 2016 at 13:58Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The prior team's diary was entertaining in its style, but the present team's report is excellent too. We are fortunate they have taken the time to create such a detailed and well presented update for this Forum - thanks Dave.
Dave & Lee
I was merely expressing my own opinion as to the style of writing, and not the restoration abilities etc of those currently working on the aircraft.
One assumes that we are still allowed to express our own opinions etc on this forum ????.
By: Consul
- 7th April 2016 at 16:45Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Bob
My name is Tim. I was thanking Dave (from the team now working on the Barra) for his taking time to present such a good report. My post in now way criticised your post or comments, so why the sarcastic retort?
By: Lee Howard
- 7th April 2016 at 18:02Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Dave & Lee
I was merely expressing my own opinion as to the style of writing, and not the restoration abilities etc of those currently working on the aircraft.
One assumes that we are still allowed to express our own opinions etc on this forum ????.
Bob T.
Of course you are! Just as I am allowed to express my view on your comment!:rolleyes:
By: Bruce
- 7th April 2016 at 18:07Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Quite so. Personally I am delighted, as I stated earlier to see that we are still getting regular updates, and that the intention is still to use as much original material as possible.
Greatly looking forward to see where the team goes next with it.
By: JonCoombes
- 21st June 2016 at 15:00Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Barracuda DP872 -Update, June 2016
With the forthcoming Yeovilton Air-Day approaching on Saturday the 2nd July, the FAA Museum Restoration and Engineering team thought it would be timely to give a further quick update on the Barracuda Restoration progress.
At the end of the last Forum post several people were wondering which direction the project would go in next. We will have the doors of the Restoration hangar fully open as normal for an Air-Day and anyone attending the show will have the opportunity to see the just that.
With Frame 11 now completed and forming that very important key datum point, work is now well under way to take the project in two logical next directions.
Firstly the Frame 11 jig will allow the team to begin looking at making the tube connection between the front of frame 11 and the cockpit area tubing. This will bridge the gap between the recent restoration work and the engine and forward bulkhead work performed by the late Vivian Bellamy back in the 1990s. Work is currently in progress to assess what tube work is safely re-usable and what cockpit floor sections, frames and structure can be salvaged and reclaimed for use.
The other key area being worked on at the moment is the undercarriage leg units. These make sense to be working on at this stage for several reasons. The leg units attach in the lower fuselage area of Frame 11, so there are a number of necessary combined measurements to be considering in conjunction with other. In time (not immediately) there will also be the alignment of the upward swing of the leg units to consider, again determined from exact measurements and alignments in the frame 11 area.
Having the legs to work on is also providing plenty of productive and constructive use of time whilst the team are stuck and waiting for parts, plating, painting, hardware, de-corroding work etc. on the next fuselage areas.
The team have a number of Barracuda legs to choose from out of the various crash sites, and although at first glance they all appear to be in good condition, when you analyse them carefully there are many parts that are quite badly distorted from the impacts of the crashes.
Building a kit of parts is the only way a complete pair of serviceable legs can be achieved, and as they are handed this is proving more difficult as some parts (for either Port or Starboard fit) are very badly distorted or missing altogether. However, work is well under way in this area and the respective undercarriage parts sets are coming together.
On dismantling the various units, most of the internal pistons, seals, gland nuts, plungers and springs have (fortunately) been found to be in good condition. Most of these will be cleaned and of course re-used as each leg unit is rebuilt.
Dismantling and examining the undercarriage legs has also given a sobering insight into the ferocity of the crash of DP872. Three hardened steel pins that hold the undercarriage main stantion into place can clearly been seen to have been sheared and torn from their location. There is also a skewing motion (see witness marks in the bronze sleeve bush) that describe how the leg seems to have been rotated as it was ripped from its housing. This strongly suggest that the leg unit was not quite fully retracted at the time of impact. This would of course match with the aircraft being only a short distance from the airfield just after take-off.
All of these findings are being recorded of course and as the project moves forward a complete list of details and interesting points of note is being collated (hopefully a book one day?)
The team have recently also been fortunate to meet a number of people connected with Barracuda’s in some way. Two former WRNS, -an armourer and a radio Mech from WW2 have made themselves known to us, both keen to see a Barracuda once more (or at least what we have of one) and also very significantly Mr. Paul Mew, Nephew of Leading Airman Derek Mew who was the Telegraphist Air Gunner in DP872 on the day of the fateful incident.
I hope to be able to add a little more about the personal connections and stories in a future post.
In the meantime thank you all again for your support and interest and we look forward to seeing and talking to you all at Yeovilton on the 2nd July.
PS- BSF and BA AGs is still one of the things that governs the speed of progress in each area. Thank you again ‘Air Ministry’ and if anyone else has a redundant cocoa tin full of BA and BSF Aero AGS in the shed, we would be very pleased to hear from you.
D. Morris
Curator of Aircraft
Fleet Air Arm Museum
01935 842609- [email]dave.morris@nmrn.org.uk[/email]
Posts: 1,444
By: Junk Collector - 5th April 2016 at 15:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
There is what purports to be a Barracuda tail wheel on Ebay
Posts: 1,101
By: sopwith.7f1 - 5th April 2016 at 16:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great to hear of the progress, but I think that the Bluebird teams diary & fun approach to the progress reports was a much better style and read.
Bob T.
Posts: 733
By: Lee Howard - 5th April 2016 at 18:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
There's no satisfying some people, is there! The standard of workmanship being shown here certainly sets the progress apart from anything else. So much for FAAM not having the expertise, skills or capacity...Proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say :rolleyes:
Posts: 8,464
By: Bruce - 5th April 2016 at 19:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just after I sent Lee a parcel with something quite different for the museum in it, I found a stash of hardware, which will be heading your way.
I definitely did have a Dove nose wheel, but I cant find the damn thing. It will turn up. I've lost a pair of Venom mainwheels in the shed as well!
Fantastic to see the real progress being made.
Bruce
Posts: 6,000
By: Wyvernfan - 5th April 2016 at 19:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Truly top class work going on behind the scenes. Very impressive attention to detail!
Rob
Posts: 104
By: buccaneer66 - 5th April 2016 at 19:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Having been there in the workshops and seen the standard of work in person it is very impressive, some of the restored parts look like new.
Before anyone criticises go and see it the work Willy is doing is truly amazing.
Chris
Posts: 22
By: BG52A - 5th April 2016 at 20:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Junk Collector
Thanks for the heads up on that.
Will.
Posts: 1,772
By: Consul - 5th April 2016 at 21:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The prior team's diary was entertaining in its style, but the present team's report is excellent too. We are fortunate they have taken the time to create such a detailed and well presented update for this Forum - thanks Dave.
Posts: 1,665
By: richw_82 - 5th April 2016 at 21:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Here's the link to a Barracuda tailwheel and tyre listed on eBay currently.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-BARRACUDA-FIREFLY-AIRCRAFT-AIR-MINISTRY-WHEEL-TYRE-/172156247905?hash=item28154fdf61:g:t5cAAOSwoudW-AKW
Posts: 39
By: steve jaksic - 6th April 2016 at 09:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
G'Day all, much respect and admiration for the Barracuda's road to recovery. Was fortunate to see the parts in progress late 2010. Will have to get back for the eventual unveiling. Regards from Perth, W.A.:cool:
Posts: 104
By: sticky847 - 6th April 2016 at 19:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Was lucky this morning to briefly meet will and see how the barra was looking, excellent workmanship from will tho it does look like he has a job for life!
Posts: 1,101
By: sopwith.7f1 - 7th April 2016 at 13:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Dave & Lee
I was merely expressing my own opinion as to the style of writing, and not the restoration abilities etc of those currently working on the aircraft.
One assumes that we are still allowed to express our own opinions etc on this forum ????.
Bob T.
Posts: 1,772
By: Consul - 7th April 2016 at 16:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Bob
My name is Tim. I was thanking Dave (from the team now working on the Barra) for his taking time to present such a good report. My post in now way criticised your post or comments, so why the sarcastic retort?
Tim
Posts: 733
By: Lee Howard - 7th April 2016 at 18:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Of course you are! Just as I am allowed to express my view on your comment!:rolleyes:
Posts: 8,464
By: Bruce - 7th April 2016 at 18:07 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Quite so. Personally I am delighted, as I stated earlier to see that we are still getting regular updates, and that the intention is still to use as much original material as possible.
Greatly looking forward to see where the team goes next with it.
Bruce
Posts: 1,101
By: sopwith.7f1 - 8th April 2016 at 13:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
My apologies Lee, I miss-understood your previous post.
Bob T.
Posts: 7
By: JonCoombes - 21st June 2016 at 15:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Barracuda DP872 -Update, June 2016
With the forthcoming Yeovilton Air-Day approaching on Saturday the 2nd July, the FAA Museum Restoration and Engineering team thought it would be timely to give a further quick update on the Barracuda Restoration progress.
At the end of the last Forum post several people were wondering which direction the project would go in next. We will have the doors of the Restoration hangar fully open as normal for an Air-Day and anyone attending the show will have the opportunity to see the just that.
With Frame 11 now completed and forming that very important key datum point, work is now well under way to take the project in two logical next directions.
Firstly the Frame 11 jig will allow the team to begin looking at making the tube connection between the front of frame 11 and the cockpit area tubing. This will bridge the gap between the recent restoration work and the engine and forward bulkhead work performed by the late Vivian Bellamy back in the 1990s. Work is currently in progress to assess what tube work is safely re-usable and what cockpit floor sections, frames and structure can be salvaged and reclaimed for use.
The other key area being worked on at the moment is the undercarriage leg units. These make sense to be working on at this stage for several reasons. The leg units attach in the lower fuselage area of Frame 11, so there are a number of necessary combined measurements to be considering in conjunction with other. In time (not immediately) there will also be the alignment of the upward swing of the leg units to consider, again determined from exact measurements and alignments in the frame 11 area.
Having the legs to work on is also providing plenty of productive and constructive use of time whilst the team are stuck and waiting for parts, plating, painting, hardware, de-corroding work etc. on the next fuselage areas.
The team have a number of Barracuda legs to choose from out of the various crash sites, and although at first glance they all appear to be in good condition, when you analyse them carefully there are many parts that are quite badly distorted from the impacts of the crashes.
Building a kit of parts is the only way a complete pair of serviceable legs can be achieved, and as they are handed this is proving more difficult as some parts (for either Port or Starboard fit) are very badly distorted or missing altogether. However, work is well under way in this area and the respective undercarriage parts sets are coming together.
On dismantling the various units, most of the internal pistons, seals, gland nuts, plungers and springs have (fortunately) been found to be in good condition. Most of these will be cleaned and of course re-used as each leg unit is rebuilt.
Dismantling and examining the undercarriage legs has also given a sobering insight into the ferocity of the crash of DP872. Three hardened steel pins that hold the undercarriage main stantion into place can clearly been seen to have been sheared and torn from their location. There is also a skewing motion (see witness marks in the bronze sleeve bush) that describe how the leg seems to have been rotated as it was ripped from its housing. This strongly suggest that the leg unit was not quite fully retracted at the time of impact. This would of course match with the aircraft being only a short distance from the airfield just after take-off.
All of these findings are being recorded of course and as the project moves forward a complete list of details and interesting points of note is being collated (hopefully a book one day?)
The team have recently also been fortunate to meet a number of people connected with Barracuda’s in some way. Two former WRNS, -an armourer and a radio Mech from WW2 have made themselves known to us, both keen to see a Barracuda once more (or at least what we have of one) and also very significantly Mr. Paul Mew, Nephew of Leading Airman Derek Mew who was the Telegraphist Air Gunner in DP872 on the day of the fateful incident.
I hope to be able to add a little more about the personal connections and stories in a future post.
In the meantime thank you all again for your support and interest and we look forward to seeing and talking to you all at Yeovilton on the 2nd July.
PS- BSF and BA AGs is still one of the things that governs the speed of progress in each area. Thank you again ‘Air Ministry’ and if anyone else has a redundant cocoa tin full of BA and BSF Aero AGS in the shed, we would be very pleased to hear from you.
D. Morris
Curator of Aircraft
Fleet Air Arm Museum
01935 842609- [email]dave.morris@nmrn.org.uk[/email]
Posts: 8,464
By: Bruce - 21st June 2016 at 20:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Dave,
I have some AGS for you that I will send over care of Lee. Not much, but it may help. I also found some more of the armament sockets.
Bruce
Posts: 1,494
By: TempestV - 21st June 2016 at 22:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All at the FAAM,
This is superb work you are doing here. It is a real pleasure to see such a high quality of engineering going on.
All the best of luck,
Posts: 1,205
By: Tin Triangle - 21st June 2016 at 22:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hear hear! Many thanks for the update!