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Post by emron on Aug 3, 2021 19:06:58 GMT 12
Yes, they were a bonus. On Sunday I swapped over the inner box and three of the lids slotted straight in. They all just need a clean. I managed to press out the two rusty bushes that had locked up the triggers on the control hand piece and Mark stripped them down and laid out for painting. Then I turned to sorting the other end of the ammo path, the exit for the links and spent shells, We’ve so far only got the four side plates, and I bolted them back on to take measurements. I made a drawing for the two outside chutes that pass through the cupola and direct the spent ammo clear of the tail. I’ll make a mock up of one next time. After that I’ll need to figure out how to make the flexible parts between the cradle and the outlet. The fourth box lid still needs a pair of latches before it’s complete. I’ve got one latch to repair and have made enough parts for a start on the second.
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Post by emron on Aug 10, 2021 16:39:01 GMT 12
On the left is the repaired latch with the replacement knob fitted for the one I broke off while trying to free up the rusted slider. On the right the parts for the second latch. All I need to find is a spring so that the slide bolts will remain extended. fn4_lid_latches by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Aug 12, 2021 16:31:48 GMT 12
Thanks to all those who offered to find a spring for me but Frank’s the champion. Here is one of the turret exit chutes ready for test fit. The parts for the second are behind, just waiting to check if I got the measurements right for the first. fn4_exit_chute by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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MOTAT
Aug 12, 2021 19:18:55 GMT 12
Post by shorty on Aug 12, 2021 19:18:55 GMT 12
When were the guns taken out of the turrets on our Mk 5s?
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MOTAT
Aug 12, 2021 22:26:38 GMT 12
Post by emron on Aug 12, 2021 22:26:38 GMT 12
I’ve never seen anything official about it but I think the mod was done to all still in service in 1963.
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Post by emron on Aug 14, 2021 16:42:29 GMT 12
Last Sunday Mark and I got talking about the gunner’s safety belt for the turret. He only had one of the side brackets that the end of the belt is attached to, so we checked through the box of spare fittings for another. No luck there but it’s not too hard to make one. We weren’t quite sure how the belt was attached to the bracket either, so I brought out a box of assorted belts to see if we could find one that matched. There wasn’t anything suitable. After a bit of Oogling today I came across: Harness, Safety, Type D, RAF Stores Ref 6F/167. This appears to be the right style and the two large eyelets on the end of the webbing must be where it’s fastened to the bushes and bolts on the bracket. Tomorrow, armed with a photo, I’ll make another search. I might even venture down to the Lanc to see how it’s rear turret is equipped.
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Post by emron on Aug 15, 2021 18:04:55 GMT 12
Mark and I shone our torches through the side panel of the Lanc turret but it only had a loose seat pad and just empty holes where the harness should be attached. We had better luck in the Sunderland and found this Type D harness over the Engineer’s seat. I’ve borrowed it to check that the turret bracket at top right fits OK and it does. I’ll need to repair and stabilise this harness before returning it to the cockpit. We found that both pilots’ harnesses need to be refitted as well and there’s now a growing to do list. The turret still needs it’s own harness, so if you know of one that might be available, please PM me. turret_seatbelt by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by Richard Wesley on Aug 21, 2021 10:34:28 GMT 12
Thanks Ron for the harness posts, it hadn't occurred to me that the turret would have had a belt, the seats themselves always looked so uncomfortable to start with. I can see though that with flying gear and parachute, and then the plane bucking around, a belt makes sense. Interesting the Lanc may be missing its one, which shows there are always more parts to find to complete any restoration.
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Post by emron on Aug 24, 2021 14:44:34 GMT 12
Richard, this is the layout we’re aiming to duplicate. fn4_gunner_seat by Ron Wilson, on Flickr In between listening to fireside broadcasts from the PM I’ve been fiddling with the second harness bracket. Here it is nearing completion. fn4_seatbelt_bracket by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Aug 29, 2021 15:08:25 GMT 12
Some things are better by the pair. Here are a few of them brought together over the break. fn4_turret_parts by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Sept 5, 2021 12:39:13 GMT 12
Time for spring cleaning in the shed at home. Amongst things that came to light, some of these turned up by the lathe. The beginnings of a new set of false teeth for the turret. Getting in early for Christmas as I’ve heard there could be delivery delays before then. fn4_receiver_parts by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Sept 18, 2021 16:35:47 GMT 12
I’ve just been off to the polling booth to get my second dose of civic duty so there won’t be any update from me tomorrow. You’ll just have to wait for the next PM’s one instead.
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Post by emron on Sept 20, 2021 14:41:56 GMT 12
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MOTAT
Sept 20, 2021 15:26:19 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2021 15:26:19 GMT 12
Wow, terrific photos Ron, thanks for posting!
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MOTAT
Sept 20, 2021 15:32:07 GMT 12
Post by tbf2504 on Sept 20, 2021 15:32:07 GMT 12
The Aussie roundel on the fuselage (lower pic) shows the heritage of this airframe
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2021 15:37:02 GMT 12
I am looking forward to seeing what else comes out of this photo collection.
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Post by emron on Sept 20, 2021 17:47:03 GMT 12
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Post by emron on Sept 21, 2021 11:36:21 GMT 12
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Post by Richard Wesley on Sept 21, 2021 12:25:27 GMT 12
Fantastic photos Ron, thanks so much for scanning and posting. Look forward to seeing more! Certainly a blast from the past.
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MOTAT
Sept 21, 2021 12:56:02 GMT 12
Post by shorty on Sept 21, 2021 12:56:02 GMT 12
Those Vildie photos were from when Murray Lane was doing it.
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