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Post by kiwi285 on Jun 4, 2018 11:34:25 GMT 12
Yes Baz we all seen to end up going through that phase in our lives. Enjoy what you have today because I have never found anyone who knows what is going to happen tomorrow and life can be real fickle at times. Sorry but I cant help with the connection. There might be some at Classic Flyers but I am about to depart for Auckland and a flight to Sydney.
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Post by baz62 on Jun 4, 2018 13:50:30 GMT 12
Yep totally agree. Mo rush having a look for the connection, its a long way off needing to check the oil pressure!
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Post by baz62 on Jul 12, 2018 9:23:57 GMT 12
Some bolts arrived from LAS Aerospace in the UK which means once I have got the last few bits painted can bolt the brake pedals. Scratching my head about 4 bolts I've ordered since they are too long for anything to do with the brake pedals (or the rudder pedals). Hopefully I'll go to bolt something in and find out that's what they were for! Also in the mail was factory drawings for the oil gauge connection at the firewall and on the engine. Ron Neal used to work at Austers and his a mine of information about the different marks of Austers and their myriad of sub-types. He also included a spec sheet for an alloy extrusion that is used as a capping strip round the base of the windscreen. Hopefully it's available in NZ.
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Post by baz62 on Jul 29, 2018 18:39:39 GMT 12
One job coming along nicely is refitting the brake system (such as it is) back in the cockpit. As mentioned before having access to another airframe for spares as served me well here as has Anthony Galbraith's spares and painting services. Most of the brake pedals were very badly worn. Being heel operated and made of cast aluminium meant thousands of hours of use saw them worn almost worn smooth in places. Anthnoy furnished me with a few NOS examples but we soon discovered the love of aircraft designers to fiddle with their designs. The Auster is no exception. So the pedals Anthony gave me were designed for the MK6 and 7 which was from the mid 40s (I think Anthony's Auster was built in 1947) whereas my J5F is from the 1950s (mine was built in 53). It soon became apparent that while the brake pedals looked identical there were some subtle differences. First the MK6 only had controls on the left whereas the T7 being a trainer version of the MK6 had dual controls. To make it dual control the basically "slaved" the port brake pedals via a second shaft and linkages so that when you pushed the starboard side pedals you were in fact making the port side pedals move applying the appropriate wheel brake. In this photo are the dismantled components laid out as they wold (roughly) sit in the aircraft. The two thin rods on the left transfer movement of the pedal to the brake cable which runs to the wheel. In the middle is the linkage (with appropriate bolts and spacers) which connects one of the left pedals to the transfer shaft on the right. The object in the centre of the two thin rods is to do with the hand brake. Basically when you pull out the handbrake (which is a re-purposed car one!) it pulls this which is attached to the cables you can see protruding from the two port brake pedals therefore applying the brakes on both wheels together. July 29th 2018 019 by Barry Tod, on Flickr I am so so glad I took lots of photos as trying to figure out what went where would have been a nightmare. There is a parts manual for the Auster but it has no pictures. There are a few in the Maintenance manual but not a lot! Even with the photos it took some trial and error to see how things went together. Mainly with the small alloy and steel spacers as if the holes didn't line up it meant it was either 180 degrees out (so simple fix) or it was one from my other airframe (grab another one and re try it). July 29th 2018 022 by Barry Tod, on Flickr Once we had everything sitting in place with temporary bolts we noticed that three of the pedals were lined up with each other but one was out. We thought the fitting that connected to the pedal linkage might have been 180 degrees out. But when we turned it around the holes no longer lined up so that wasn't it. Anthony then realised that the hole in the linkage was really big and sloppy on the bolt. So if you look at the next photo of one of the linkages (that needs some titivation and painting yet!) you can see rather than just a hole drilled in the plate it has an inserted piece. We think this is so if the hole gets slogged out you just tap out the insert and replace it with a new one. July 29th 2018 096 by Barry Tod, on Flickr I knew it wasn't missing before so hunted for either another linkage or the missing insert at home in my stash of parts. No joy. It wasn't til I looked on the floor under the Auster I spied it and reunited it with its linkage. In the following photo the errant pedal is second up from the bottom. Lines up perfectly now! July 29th 2018 092 by Barry Tod, on Flickr Just need to top coat the primed parts and then we can bolt everything back together. Next trick is to refit the handbrake and the brake cable "distributor" which goes under the cockpit floor and thats all sorted. Once the brake pedals go in thats all the flight controls back in place raedy for inspection and sign off!
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Post by agalbraith on Jul 30, 2018 10:12:09 GMT 12
Hey mate Yes it was good to get those pedals all sorted and test fitted. After I sprayed Silver paint all around your hangar LOL! Dont forget to dig out your park brake handle etc to finish that system off.
Cheers Ants
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Post by baz62 on Jul 30, 2018 16:17:29 GMT 12
It soon became apparent that while the brake pedals looked identical there were some subtle differences. I forgot to add that some of the pedals must have been for the single control MK 6 which is why some of the bolts holes were missing halfway up the pedal as they weren't needed. Luckily for me there is only one pedal that needs drilling through the base and and the shaft to secure it. This is a photo taken prior to taking everything out. On the lower right you can see the two rods I mentioned with the brake cables attached to them. IMGP7658 by Barry Tod, on Flickr
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Post by austerbaby on Aug 8, 2018 4:37:54 GMT 12
G'day all,
I'm actually trying to get someone else off the runway. Anyone know of or able to shuffle me a step closer towards tracking down an '53 Auster j5/f windscreen able to pass engineering specs in Australia? Happy to ship in from overseas or trade a kidney for it as required. It's a long overdue gift for my Dad, and has to happen while he can still pass the medical here. Thanks all in advance - I'm useless at the technical side but have a stubborn streak and sneaky photos of the areas required, engine plate etc, so hopefully will get the flightless bird back up where he belongs.
Will accept any suggestions at all, even just another forum to try.
Thanks again. Avro Baby
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Post by baz62 on Aug 8, 2018 11:45:56 GMT 12
Windscreens have to made now as spares are non-existent and in New Zealand and Australia they are ordered from LA Aero Plastics in the US but through Pat Harrington who made the moulds. Luckily for you he's based in Australia. I'll message you his email address. Cheers Baz
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Post by austerbaby on Aug 14, 2018 23:33:34 GMT 12
Windscreens have to made now as spares are non-existent and in New Zealand and Australia they are ordered from LA Aero Plastics in the US but through Pat Harrington who made the moulds. Luckily for you he's based in Australia. I'll message you his email address. Cheers Baz That would be brilliant. I'll have to work out how to check messages. Thanks again!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 15, 2018 13:59:59 GMT 12
Scroll to the top of the page, in the silver bar there is a button saying Messages. Click that.
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Post by baz62 on Aug 15, 2018 15:24:32 GMT 12
Yep what Dave said
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Post by baz62 on Apr 23, 2019 17:30:50 GMT 12
Anyone having trouble sourcing Polyfibre products lately? I tried to order some Poly-Tak glue from Aviation Performance and Parts in Auckland last December and they said they were awaiting stock. Asked last week and been told the same!! Has anyone ordered it from anyone else in New Zealand? Or direct from US (which sounds like it might be expensive with dangerous goods etc etc)?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2019 23:10:44 GMT 12
This thread has gone awfully quiet Baz. Have you given up on the project? Or are you still plugging away?
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Post by Mustang51 on Nov 22, 2019 7:17:43 GMT 12
Dave, Just like the Birdog.......waiting for assistance from Peter H with pics of mine......
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Post by baz62 on Nov 22, 2019 13:31:57 GMT 12
Plugging away slowly, tidying up the sheetmetal on the boot cowl prior to riveting it back on the firewall. My sheet metal wizard has been working on our Skyhawks(as well as the others at Draken having a major service). My boot cowl might have to wait til the New year as he's off to France as I think Draken have some aircraft over there needing his skills.
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Post by thomarse on Feb 20, 2022 12:49:09 GMT 12
This thread has gone awfully quiet Baz. Have you given up on the project? Or are you still plugging away? Like, two years quiet....
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 20, 2022 14:53:21 GMT 12
Unfortunately time does get away from us....especially with this virus rubbish of the last two years. Even though you think it does not, it really does grind down mind and body.
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Post by thomarse on Feb 22, 2022 14:37:10 GMT 12
True M51 (congrats on the 2000 posts BTW) but I find these projects fascinating and I have the greatest respect for those working on them
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 22, 2022 15:46:25 GMT 12
thomarse.....had not noticed that....seems I think I have a lot to say for a West Islander....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 22, 2022 15:52:07 GMT 12
Every post a welcome joy, Ando!
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