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Post by baz62 on Jan 27, 2012 11:54:11 GMT 12
Is there any talk of actually getting it flying? Or will it only ever be a taxi display? I believe there are corrosion issues ( amongst other things )that would prevent it flying without a very major ( massively expensive ) overhaul . ( at least not legally anyway ) ;D And probably life issues for the wings too. Unless you are prepared to spend millions she will be ground bound now.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 27, 2012 12:45:03 GMT 12
Not to mention insurance!
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Post by baz62 on Jun 26, 2012 17:48:45 GMT 12
Hey Al I'm thinking of painting the Instrument panel on the Auster and just been looking at this paint you used on the Bristol Beast panel. Where did you get it from? Supercheap Auto? I've actually got two complete panels (they are in three separate bits actually) so I can try out some finishes to see what looks the business. Speaking of Rattlecans. I can't speak highly enough of VHT Wrinkle finish paint. It is easy to use and makes for a very authentic finish.
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Post by corsair67 on Jun 26, 2012 20:07:12 GMT 12
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Post by lumpy on Jun 26, 2012 20:25:27 GMT 12
Bit of a tip on the wrinkle finish paint Baz , it likes to be warm for second coat ( the one that makes the finish go wrinkly ) . Either a nice warm sunny day , or in a warm ( but turned off ) oven ( check with the ovens owner / user first ) . Not sure about Supercheap , but Repco usually have it . Alternativly have a look for " Hammerite " ( they do a smooth finish and wrinkle like finish ) . Its probally a bit dearer , but is a really durable product . Got some from Mitre 10 last time I needed some .Its not quite the same as a wrinkle finish ( its similar), but it does look good .
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Post by baz62 on Jun 27, 2012 12:50:27 GMT 12
Ask the oven owner/user's permission. Nice one, been in trouble before have we Grant?? ;D Thanks for that I might get your one and try it out and see what its like and then if I don't like it I can try Al's one.
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Post by lesterpk on Jun 27, 2012 16:17:55 GMT 12
Standing the can in a bucket of hot water for 10 minutes before use is a better bet than using the oven.
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Post by Bruce on Jun 27, 2012 21:03:35 GMT 12
When I did CKE's instrument panel with the stuff I used a couple of 500W Halogen floodlights to provide the heat - worked a treat!. I Found the VHT stuff at Repco, but I had to ask at the counter as they didn't have it on shelf display for some reason.
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Post by baz62 on Jun 29, 2012 17:26:51 GMT 12
Thanks for the tips guys. I have tracked down the VHT product at Repco so will post some results once I've had a go.
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Post by Radialicious on Jul 6, 2012 20:14:58 GMT 12
Good luck with the wrinkle-finish Baz. From what I have seen, it's pretty foolproof. The VHT paint will wrinkle up without a visit to the oven but the baking determines its actual finish. It is quite hard wearing and really looks the part. From memory, they suggest it goes on quite thick, allowed to tack off then spend time in a 90 degree C oven.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 13, 2012 1:14:54 GMT 12
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Post by baz62 on Aug 5, 2012 19:03:21 GMT 12
Love the squealing tyres on the grass! Reminded me of Thunderbirds! Skillful handling though with the one wheel landing!
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Post by Radialicious on Aug 23, 2012 0:17:32 GMT 12
For those that are able to make it to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Wings and Wheels event on the 25th August, Marty Nicoll advises me that he is keen to run the Bristol Freighter. At this stage due to illness, the starboard engine will sit out the event. However, the ever strong port engine will get a run. It's been a while since she was run-up and if you want to see a true-blue large radial awakening, you won't want to miss it. The starboard engine is showing signs of problems with lubrication again so we won't run her until she can be diagnosed and treated. Sadly, with me in Christchurch and her in Blenheim, it is difficult to spend time at her bedside and find out what the problem is. I considered an engine transplant a few months ago with one of the engines that was recently donated to the aircraft. Sadly, after pulling the second cylinder head off, I was greeted with the same internal sleeve corrosion that my own engine had suffered in storage. I'd still like to arrange either a repair or replacement of the starboard engine so that they can both be regularly run up.
My current project is the restoration of a 5 inch gauge NZGR Ww steam locomotive. It was built by my Old Man and was first steamed the same year that I was born. It ran regularly until the late 1980s when one of its cylinders also suffered from corrosion. I was dead keen to restore it in 1988 and did my best to achieve such before I joined the RNZAF. However it wasn't to be and she went back into storage until about 1995 when I again made plans for the big restoration. At this time I honed both cylinders to remove corrosion and wear, made new pistons, teflon rings and piston rods. Again though, she was pushed to the back of the priority list when we formed our Omaka Nanchang syndicate.
After the Bristol Hercules project was pretty much squared away, I thought it might be third time lucky for the old locomotive. In February or March this year I wheeled her out of her box and she has had constant and devoted attention ever since. She is still a long way from having a boiler full of steam again but I am targeting the November exhibition hosted by the Canterbury Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (CSMEE). In her nearly twenty years of operation, she covered over a thousand miles of running and was a very powerful and reliable locomotive. She would easily pull a ton of passengers at a time. However, Dad never considered her to be finished. Because she and I 'arrived' at the same time, I (thankfully) got all the attention. Phew. To that end, much of the detail work wasn't able to be done until now. It has been a huge job crafting the many many items that all add up to improve the accuracy of her appearance. Because the loco and boiler is so well proven, much of my work has been making 'decorations' that have been copied from photos of original engines. In November, she will be there either on the track or on static display but my Bristol Hercules will be there also. Hopefully they will both be able to do what they do best.
Like I said earlier, if you are able to, head out to Omaka on the 25th August. There is a great deal of activity planned both in the air and on the ground.
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Post by baz62 on Aug 23, 2012 18:45:56 GMT 12
Rats I'll have to sat in Chch for Saturday. Oh well maybe next time. Sorry to hear you are having issues with the starboard Herc on CPT. Hope its not terminal!
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Post by Officer Crabtree on Aug 25, 2012 17:59:22 GMT 12
Best sound I heard all day, lovely and LOUD.
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Post by lumpy on Aug 25, 2012 18:38:49 GMT 12
Best sound I heard all day, lovely and LOUD. Thats a matter of opinion ( but you might be right ) . The FW-190 engine run was pretty good ( and of course the Yak-3 )
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Aug 25, 2012 21:13:34 GMT 12
Fw190 and Yak 3 for me but then again it was nice to see the Pup up and about. The wind slowed things down a bit, was at least 35 knots at 2000ft this afternoon so we flagged a couple of air to air flights.
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Post by Officer Crabtree on Aug 25, 2012 22:46:47 GMT 12
Yeah, the Yaks low passes were equally cool sounding.
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Post by baz62 on Aug 26, 2012 11:52:53 GMT 12
I understand that the starboard engine on CPT is making metal (as in bits of metal in the oil.) lets hope its not the end of the engine after all of Al's hard work.
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Post by Radialicious on Nov 8, 2012 20:57:13 GMT 12
Here's a bit of progress Bristol-wise after nine months or so of restoring a model steam locomotive. My Hercules trailer is now fully road legal. In the last few days, I have sourced 6-ply light truck tyres, made the hydraulic brakes operative and upgraded the towbar on my car. That all culminated in getting the first warrant of fitness for the engine trailer. Stiffer tyres and a braking system make her much more pleasant to tow. The blokes in the WoF centre were intrigued by the big engine and spent a long time peering into this and that and trying to get their around what it was they were looking at. The WoF itself was very straight forward and they were happy with the strength and design of the trailer and its components. It is over engineered in many ways but I'm happy that that is the case. As engine-guru Graham White in the USA says with regard to exhibition engines on road legal trailers, "too strong is only just strong enough". Christchurch has a long weekend coming up and I am planning on displaying the Hercules at a public exhibition at the Canterbury Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. CSMEE is a society that revolves around model locomotives and boats. We have a railway in Halswell that suits a number of different gauges of locomotives and trains. I had hoped to have completed the restoration of my NZR Ww tank engine. However, I left my run just a bit too late to have her completed, certified and tested in time for three days of running. She has come a long way in the nine months or so that I have spent on her. I should post a few photos of the Ww so that we all know what I'm on about. Anyway, the picture below shows the engine at the testing station this afternoon. It was nice to finally have her completely road legal and out in the sun again. Any forum members are welcome to visit the CSMEE exhibition between the 16th and 18th of November.
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