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Post by emron on Dec 5, 2020 19:12:29 GMT 12
Kestrel Engine Update There has been some encouraging developments since my last report. I removed one of the mystery magnetos and opened it up to see if I could identify it. It had no plate or model number stamped on the outside, only the serial number. I was able to compare with the correct type SP12-3 and it was a similar shape but smaller and the backing plate with the points was configured completely different. On checking the rotor drive gears inside I found that SP12 had 114 teeth and 38 teeth (ratio 12:4), the other had 99 teeth and 44 teeth (ratio 9:4) So this has turned out to be for a 9-cylinder British radial instead. After persevering with a search I eventually came across a 1937 Watford advert and 1945 reference from a couple of on-line archives, that confirmed my guess. There’s a couple of stubborn nuts stopping me from removing the second mag but I should be able to tackle them next time. It’s a slightly different pattern again. I’ve now obtained the cores for a pair of SP12-3’s that will nicely outfit the Kestrel. They are still lacking some external parts but I’ve exhausted my local sources for them. I was delighted to track down and retrieve the plumbing fittings required to connect the cooling pipes that run across the top of the engine. As you can see there was plenty of damage in the crash; hose nipple broken off top left, top right broken in half, bottom right elbow sheared off and lost. Most of the flange holes were torn away and there was plenty of corrosion later. The steel tubes that ran between them had rusted mostly away and only jagged fragments remained seized inside the ends of these fittings. Luckily all four large brass nuts have survived unharmed. At first I was reluctant to even try but after using copious penetrating oil and a heavy duty “C” key on a long pipe handle, remarkably I’ve already been able to loosen 3 of the nuts without causing further harm. Underneath each has been an intact rubber O ring and the alloy compression ring that tightens it onto the pipe. The remaining two might be more of a challenge and if need be I won’t disturb them.
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Post by emron on Dec 8, 2020 16:15:21 GMT 12
Kestrel Engine Update Here’s a photo of the SP12-3 magneto viewed from the distributor end. Alongside is the points breaker assembly that slips over the cam drive shaft. To regulate the advance/retard it turns through a narrow arc driven by the linkage rod which connects it to the main engine control shaft that runs across the shoulder of the supercharger at the back of the Kestrel. I’ve only been able to obtain one of these assemblies, so if you know the whereabouts of another, just like it, I’d welcome a PM about that. Here’s a photo of the cap that goes over the points breaker and the clamp that secures both in place. I’m on the look out for two sets of these as well. Unfortunately they’re not interchangeable with covers off the more common SC7 type mags as used on the Cheetah. Once again I’d like to hear about any spares of these parts that might be out there.
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Post by emron on Dec 13, 2020 16:50:03 GMT 12
Kestrel Engine Update Progress last week: I’ve patched up the two rear plumbing fittings by moulding on new lugs to the flanges and machining and grafting on a new hose nipple as well as gluing together the broken halves. They scrubbed up quite well after a pass through the blasting booth. Here are the parts laid out along with the tubing of the correct sizes now obtained. Today I’ve tackled the rebuild of the broken front fitting that is a mirror image of the other side. First attempt is a length of plastic conduit twisted tightly to the correct spiral and held to shape by a core of heavy copper wire and over wrapped with aluminium mesh. No prizes for my icing skills but that’s the first layer of filler applied and left to harden.
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Post by emron on Dec 15, 2020 14:18:42 GMT 12
Kestrel Engine Update On the final dog-leg now. The fitting on the left has had it’s earlobes pasted back on and the other one has a new flange lightly tacked in place. I won’t do more with these until I can test fit them on the engine. There’s been a bit of guesswork here to reconstruct them so I’ll only drill the bolt holes once I can align things correctly. Last week I slackened off the nuts and lifted off the blanking plates where these fittings will be re-attached. Each port was in surprisingly good condition and no sign of bent studs so I’m hoping I can get away with only minor adjustments before all four fittings are back in place. Once I have cut the tubing that runs between them to the exact length then I can remove them again for final detailing and clean, ready for painting.
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Post by kiwi285 on Dec 17, 2020 6:21:07 GMT 12
Doesn't matter what it looks like when you are doing the job - its what it looks like when you finish. Looks great to me and after a coat of paint who will know.
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Post by emron on Dec 19, 2020 13:20:35 GMT 12
The once jagged, broken stub is now returned to a sinuous thing of beauty and ready for the paint shop.
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Post by emron on Dec 20, 2020 17:27:46 GMT 12
Look what baubles I found hanging on the Kestrel’s Christmas tree!.
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Post by emron on Dec 21, 2020 16:29:54 GMT 12
Leaving my Christmas shopping a bit late this was nearest to reindeer antlers that I could find to decorate the Kestrel with. Oops, I was forgetting. It’s already graced with a set of rams’ horns. Never mind, I guess it won’t look out of place wearing these as well.
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Post by emron on Dec 24, 2020 11:12:55 GMT 12
Time again to clear the benches and close the workshop doors for the holidays. Although our work program was cut short mid-year we made the most of the time left together and are well satisfied with the results. There’s still plenty for us to do when we return in mid-January. We’ll resume work on a bunch of projects including repairs, cleaning and painting of the Sunderland’s fuselage interior and completion of it’s two turrets. As well to finish jobs underway on the DC3: re-fabric of the ailerons; repairs to tail, installation of rudder and elevators, tail cone and fairings; reconnection of hydraulic system and flight control cables. There’ll be plenty to report on once we’re back.
So on behalf of the MOTAT team, to Dave and all our other Forum friends, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happier 2021.
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MOTAT
Dec 24, 2020 12:46:27 GMT 12
Post by ZacYates on Dec 24, 2020 12:46:27 GMT 12
Thanks so much for keeping us updated, Ron! Those of us a bit further away greatly appreciate being able to follow along with progress.
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MOTAT
Dec 24, 2020 14:54:26 GMT 12
Post by baz62 on Dec 24, 2020 14:54:26 GMT 12
Merry Christmas to you and the MOTAT team too. All the best for 2021!
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Post by davidd on Dec 24, 2020 16:00:24 GMT 12
Another admirer of the continual updates and great "before and after" photos of so many of the components and assemblies coming into the workshop, and then back out in considerably improved state! David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 24, 2020 16:34:43 GMT 12
Thanks Ron. All the very best to you, Steve and all the team at the MOTAT aviation section for Christmas. I hope to come visit in the early New Year.
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MOTAT
Dec 24, 2020 20:49:55 GMT 12
Post by agalbraith on Dec 24, 2020 20:49:55 GMT 12
Thanks for al the updates throughout the year guys!
It is very much appreciated and I always look forward to your updates. Keep up the awesome work and stay safe.
Cheers Anthony
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Post by emron on Dec 27, 2020 10:00:14 GMT 12
Holiday Brain Teaser Spot how many Kestrel parts you can identify from the accompanying page of the Engine Parts List (not including multiples of the same). Hint: Some of the items shown loose in the drawing are still attached to their main assembly. Score: 16 good; 22 excellent; 23+ unbelievable. kestrel water connections by Ron Wilson, on Flickr kestrel water parts by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Dec 28, 2020 8:54:14 GMT 12
That puzzle must have been hard without the pictures !
Sorry about that, I botched my first attempt at sharing. Seems all good to go now.
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MOTAT
Dec 28, 2020 11:17:28 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 28, 2020 11:17:28 GMT 12
Well done on sorting the photo sharing Ron.
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Post by emron on Dec 30, 2020 19:16:13 GMT 12
Kestrel Engine Update Pieces of the Kestrel happily re-united just in time for Christmas, after being long apart. Thanks go to Don Subritzky and Jim Mungall for their safe-keeping between times. kestrel2020 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr kestrel_parts2020 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr P.S. Another little birdie tells me that a certain engine's 85th is coming up and it’s expecting more good things next year. Best not ruffle those feathers, so watch this space when we return from holiday.
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MOTAT
Dec 30, 2020 21:31:56 GMT 12
Post by woody99 on Dec 30, 2020 21:31:56 GMT 12
Dave Wises registry shows Fletcher BXQ as donated to MOTAT? If that’s correct is it on display?
ZK-BXQ (Assembled TEAL 'Flett-9') to 260 hp 2/65 to 300hp 5/68 to 950M 3/78 wfu Hamilton 10/82 cx 2/88 to MoTaT, Auckland
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MOTAT
Jan 3, 2021 11:37:57 GMT 12
Post by emron on Jan 3, 2021 11:37:57 GMT 12
Sorry I don’t know anything about BXQ at MOTAT. Peter Lewis’ history of it over on the Fletcher thread has it “WFU Hamilton & scrapped 1987” which tends to confirm your recollections about it back in 2009. Over the years there have probably been more than one FU-24 offered to the museum but I don’t think any of those deals eventuated. As far as I remember FU1060 ZK-CTZ is the only Fletcher that’s ever been in the MOTAT collection or on display there. I understand that CTZ came to the museum through purchase rather than by donation. It’s currently on display and can be viewed in the Aviation Display Hall.
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