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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 23, 2018 16:52:32 GMT 12
The engine is finally out of 2505 and on the holding fixture. The cylinders are all off and the team have left it until next week. Until the rear case comes off we wont know the extent of the damage. The pistons and the bores all look to be in great condition. 230218 (4) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 230218 (29) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 230218 (27) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 23, 2018 17:00:16 GMT 12
The starboard tail plane is now complete and ready to take out of the jig. Not sure what we will tackle next as we are waiting for elevator hinge pieces for the port tail plane before we can finish that. Maybe the rudder or one of the elevator halves. 230218 (25) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr This is some of the rotted aluminium that was cut out of the rear structure of the starboard centre section today. Not sure how we are going to replace some of the rotted parts as they would have been attached as the original structure progressed. Hope someone has some bright ideas as I am not sure. 230218 (1) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2018 17:31:58 GMT 12
Avenger crumbs, you should frame each part and sell them as art to raise cash for the project
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Post by avenger on Feb 23, 2018 19:26:32 GMT 12
Interesting - I have these identical photographs.
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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 23, 2018 19:26:58 GMT 12
Further to your comment Dave about souvenirs I have produced one made up of a piece of metal and fabric from 2539. I have had them in the museum shop but I am not sure how many have sold. I can make up some more if any people are interested in obtaining one for a donation to the restoration fund. They are available in either white or black frames. Contact me at mikefeisst@xtra.co.nz picture 002 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr P1340573 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 23, 2018 19:30:58 GMT 12
Yes I was sent these photos of 2539 at Bennetts but I don't know the original owner of them. I would be happy to acknowledge that person if we find out their name.
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Post by avenger on Feb 23, 2018 19:46:03 GMT 12
Yes I was sent these photos of 2539 at Bennetts but I don't know the original owner of them. I would be happy to acknowledge that person if we find out their name. Tks for the acknowledgement , I appreciate the real time aspect, but do "we' actually declare names on this site?
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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 24, 2018 10:00:36 GMT 12
Following an email from Denys (Ferrymead) I went and had a look at an auction on eBay for a complete Mk 9 gun sight as used in the turrets of the Avenger and B-25 Mitchell. Initially the seller didn't mention overseas buyers but after a message he agreed to send it to me if I was successful with a bid. Happy to say that I was the winner of the auction and the sight is now winging its way to Papamoa. The seller believes that so long as the bulb is still working the sight should light up wjen connected to a suitable power supply. As you can see from the photos it look to be in good condition. Needless to say we are both now corresponding with the other and discussing WW II aircraft. 20180118_132709 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 20180118_132723 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 20180118_132746 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 20180118_132832 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr Whilst restoring 2505 we had absolutely nothing of the turret guts just the glass cupola so we had a go at making bits for it. I had a go at the gunsight and though I knew approximately what it looked like I couldn't find any dimensions so I built it to the size I thought it should be. WRONG now I see a real one (in the Ferrymead Hudson turret) I can see that my effort was about 100% oversize. Oh well we live and learn. Gun sight (1) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr Gun sight (3) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr Gun sight (2) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by baz62 on Feb 24, 2018 14:23:59 GMT 12
Well here's another trip down memory lane! So we are looking at the engine from underneath. The cylinder visible with the rag sitting on it is the same one that had the piston/rod failure on NZ2504. As mentioned before, because of the damage caused by the now disconnected con-rod smashing against the skirt of the cylinder (which protrudes into the crankcase), although we got all the bolts out and the cylinder could be twisted to and fro it would not come off. I must say this engine she looks in very good condition. Is there a data plate anywhere on the engine giving a serial number? I doubt her log books have survived or there is anyway to tell the history of this engine. NZ2504 has her logbooks with the Museum and the total time on the engine before retirement was only about 80 hours from memory. Her engine had been inhibited with preservative oil and I wonder if the same was done with this engine. Here's a couple of photos most have seen before. Engine removal underway with the cylinder mentioned visible with the valve covers removed. mus6-1 by Barry Tod, on Flickr The engine removed and mounted in a Bristol Hercules engine stand to send to Woodborne. (Sadly a wasted effort as it came back and went back in the aircraft still damaged. ) mus2-1 by Barry Tod, on Flickr And her in happier times with myself giving her a Sunday run. (The Dakota is out of shot to the left having the same.) Flaps are down and the usual procedure was to also execise the wing fold a few times and the Bomb bay doors. Naturally the undercarriage was left alone! We only used to run her up to 2000RPM as why over stress the engine by going to full power? It was done once and she was really getting light in the tail even with the stick hard back. She really wanted to go! Photo by Hamish Kim mus8 by Barry Tod, on Flickr Good score on the gunsight! I'm actually unsure if 04 has one installed? Anyone know? Don't forget what I said about those masterrods. It'll be no issue if all the cylinders are removed but if you can get hold of an overhaul manual you'll find that a great help when putting the engine back together. I do know the Air Force Museum had one when we were removing the engine in 1981. Perhaps the relative pages could be copied? Let me know as I could approach the museum about doing that and mail it to you. Baz
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Post by tbf25o4 on Feb 24, 2018 15:00:48 GMT 12
Baz, 04 probably only had the gunsight fitted for gun firing practice when at Gisborne. When she was converted to a target towing in October 1944 that was one of the items permanently removed along with all armament and armour plating etc
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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 24, 2018 16:45:18 GMT 12
Hi Baz, I am not an engine person and wasn't involved when the engine was put back together so not sure about a manual. That is a very kind offer and we would appreciate it if you could copy the relevant pages and mail them to us just in case. I have heard that the team are already making enquiries overseas to see whether any main rod bearings are available. It is amazing what parts are still around even after 70 odd years.
There are a couple of cars going up to Auckland this week to have a look through the parts that are available for the Avenger. I am looking forward to seeing just what is still stored up there that we can use on the restoration.
'tbf2504' what is likely to have happened to all of the armament that would have come out of the aircraft sitting at Rukuhia after the war ? There must have been tons of such equipment. Would it all have been buried or melted down ?
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Post by baz62 on Feb 25, 2018 12:52:02 GMT 12
Baz, 04 probably only had the gunsight fitted for gun firing practice when at Gisborne. Sorry I meant in the turret currently installed in her now.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Feb 25, 2018 14:20:47 GMT 12
When the aircraft were delivered to Rukuhia they came from two sources; internally from stations and flying units, or direct from overseas (Corsairs, venturas etc) The aircraft from inside NZ had all armament removed at the station they were based at before delivery flight. The aircraft arriving from overseas were mostly devoid of fixed armament, which came back via shipping or was dumped at the forward bases, or if the armament was insitu it was removed by armourers at the storage unit at Rukuhia. Removal of the armament at the forward SWPA bases resulted in the smuggling of cigarettes etc in the ammo bays. Several interesting stories of when the "smugglers" came to pick up their loot at Rukuhia only to find that it was missing! Who were they going to report that to? There were interceptions by personnel at Whenuapai where the aircraft remained overnight after customs clearance. Post WWII there were large scale destruction of surplus weapons with most being cut up and either buried or dumped at sea.
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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 28, 2018 14:57:17 GMT 12
As the tailplane was finished we removed it from the jig and took the fin off the heaps of major items to be repaired and started work on that. Only repair needed here was to the top of the rear spar and the sheet around that area. By days end it was in the rack of completed items awaiting some filling and sanding. Very satisfying. 280218 (12) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 280218 (11) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by kiwi285 on Feb 28, 2018 15:03:23 GMT 12
The team was busy breaking down the R2600 and when I left they were trying to remove the rear master rod from the crankshaft. It was jammed on very tight and they were trying everything to get it off. Unfortunately there were metal filings in the rear case which I guess was expected. Until they can remove the master rod we will not know the full extent of the damage. 280218 (13) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 280218 (10) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 280218 (8) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr 280218 (6) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr
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Post by Mustang51 on Mar 2, 2018 8:10:00 GMT 12
Ohhhh dear.........part numbers and railway lines.....
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Post by davidd on Mar 3, 2018 8:47:18 GMT 12
Great photos of the engine bits! David D
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Post by kiwi285 on Mar 3, 2018 14:59:26 GMT 12
On Thursday a team went up to Auckland to retrieve some more of the Avenger parts. These included an NOS crankcase and crankshaft for the R2600. On Friday the team finally managed to get the rear master rod off the crankshaft and have split the crankcase further and are now removing the master and slave rods from the front row. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photos of the sleeve bearing from the rear rod but it is a mess. We are now looking for a replacement sleeve bearing so will see how that quest goes in the coming weeks. Not sure what is needed with the bearing surface on the rear part of the crankshaft. parts retrieved 010318 (2) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr parts retrieved 010318 (5) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr parts retrieved 010318 (3) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr As you will have seen we also brought back a complete Wright Cyclone R1820. Not sure at this point in time what is intended for this engine but I guess we might be able to get it running. On the very back of the trailer you can see the crankcase and the crankshaft being hoisted off. Each of these items required 3 people to move them around and the crankshaft is a massively proportioned piece of steel.
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Post by kiwi285 on Mar 3, 2018 15:12:41 GMT 12
Ohhhh dear.........part numbers and railway lines..... I have sent you a PM
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Post by beagle on Mar 3, 2018 17:58:52 GMT 12
Just wondering how you guys were getting on regards paint stripping. I remember some very old parts I got to do while I was in and found some primer coats were very hard to get off. Even lots of MEK and scotchbite didn't help much.
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