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Home / 2010's / 20160102 Engineering Open Day 41
Old Warden held a open-doors Engineering day on a crisp January day. Great chance to get close-up and personal with the aircraft and take some interesting photos.
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Rapide
First-class condition - until I read the information plaque, I hadn't realised this was the old RAFSPA jumpship. Sadly, long retired from that role before I jumped. Still, I have fallen out of a Tiger Moth! -
Fieseler Storch
Peter Holloway's beautiful Storch. He (what a nice chap) gave a short talk to a few of us, at which I learned the wings can be folded back along the fuselage, for transportation. I am constantly surprised at how sophisticated old "simple" aircraft actually are. -
Fieseler Storch cockpit
Storch cockpit. Peter Holloway gave us privileged few a short talk on this aircraft - I want to fly in this one day, preferably on a breezy day when it's slow flying capabilities can be demonstrated to their maximum. -
Bleriot
Such an important aircraft. I have yet to see this making a hop along the runway. Keeping such old aircraft in working, airworthy condition is what makes this collection so special. -
Deperdussin
Well, on the plus side, the spark plugs are easy to get at. -
EON Glider
It looks even more fragile on the ground! If I hadn't seen this being flown I wouldn't have thought it was possible. Such an exposed position. I suppose it must be exhilarating for the pilot - if you can get over the fear of falling out of the thing. -
Bristol Centaurus
I have no conception of how a complex engine like this gets designed and built such that it can reliably (well, mostly) run for hours on end. All without the aid of a computer. -
Wallbro tail
Wallis Brothers. I've no idea it if ever flew - I am guessing it would need a better propeller to even manage a gentle hop. -
Wallbro nose
I knew I'd seen Ken Wallis's Wallbro somewhere! It's now on display at the Shuttle Collection. No idea why it is classed as a replica, surely it is a true build? -
Ryan
Peter Holloway's Ryan in near flight condition. I expect Dodge has claimed his place as first to fly her! -
Ryan Pirate engine
This, one of Peter Holloway's stable, is now close to flight readiness. -
Bristol M1C
I love the nose of this little fighter. For an English design, it is very Germanic looking. -
Shuttleworth engine detail
Clayton & Shuttleworth built lots of traction engines and the like. I guess they had a hard life and not many are left. This one is going to need a lot of restoration. -
Charabanc
I have a lovely picture of my Grandad sitting in one of these. I will get around to scanning all my old photos one day. -
Little Nellie
The most famous of Ken Wallis's autogyros. The rest of his collection is stored in a nearby hangar. Sadly, I don't think any of them will fly again. -
Hurricane Merlin
Those there chains appear to be driving a small magneto. But it looks far too small to provide sparks for the magnificence that is the Merlin. -
Hurricane engine detail
Starboard side fo the Merlin. As usual, I have no idea which bit is what or why! -
Hurricane electrics
In the area behind the pilot, so presumably something to do with the radio? -
Car engine and radiator
Brass and copper and oil and stuff... -
Scout
The lovely Scout now has a bomb rack. I have no idea how soon it'll be before she needs re-skinning but spitting oil everywhere is quite typical of the Scout - many attempts at cowl modifications were made to try and make her spit more like a lady. -
Spitfire instrument panel, rear
I have no idea how a fitter gets to the rear of the instrument panel, for example, to replace a faulty unit. When it's stripped-down like this it looks to be difficult enough. -
Spitfire rear instrument panel
Somehow "Handle like eggs" doesn't seem to go with the violent handling you'd expect a thoroughbred fighter aircraft to be able to handle. -
Spitfire engine bay
A whole Merlin fits in there, n problem. The Spit will be flying this year we are all assured. Fingers crossed. -
Spitfire main spar detail
Detail showing the construction of the main spar. Sorting out dealing with over-size rivet holes and somewhat poor maintenance from the past is the last major task before the Spit finally comes to the end of her oh-so-long rebuild. -
Spitfire tendons
Cables for the tail control surfaces. No sign of redundancy anywhere. -
Spitfire seat
Where the seat goes, anyways. I am not sure I want to sit on top of something labelled "Danger". If I win the lottery, I reserve the right to swiftly change my mind! -
Spitfire Dashboard
Brand spanking new condition. For all the claims it "wouldn't get it's CoA if built today" it strikes me as being a well-engineered, complex and sophisticated aircraft. Lottery win required. -
Lysander Mercury
Big, complicated, manly. I like it. -
Westland Lysander
Nothing that a bit of gaffer tape and sugru can't sort out, I'm sure. -
Merlin Crank
Oh dear. It'll take more than gaffer tape to fix that then... -
Chipmunk Port Wing
De-rivetted and ripped open to replace the undercarriage support. Safety is first, second, third and last in aviation, the cost being work and expense. And time. It's a philosophy that works. -
Chipmunk Starboard Wing
The Chipmunk needs both undercarriage supports replaced due to fatigue cracks. And that involved ripping off the fabric and de-rivetting the leading edges to get to them. -
Brisfit Detail
Nope, no idea. It's satisfyingly complicated and mechanical looking. -
Brisfit Engine
Big and beefy, much like the rest of the Bristol Fighter. -
Singer Cycle Motor
I've always had a yen for a cyclomotor. The French have always been big on these so mebbe I can pick up an early Peugeot or similar. -
Hurricane guns
Business end of the (port side) Hurricane. Experts claim .303 is stoplight a round for dogfighting but I still don't want to be on the receiving end of eight of them, thank you very much. -
Car dashboard
Speedo? Rev counter? Oil pressure gauge? Even fuel level? Nope, none of those present or, apparently, needed. -
Hurricane Merlin
Non-engineers should not look under the bonnet - it's too scary. -
Chaff cutter
Most examples of agricultural machinery from this time seem to be finished in a dull pink colour. But this brighter red is apparently more typical. I expect my Dad could've operated this, no doubt single-handed. -
Cyclamen
Actually, it might be an oversized snowdrop. I am better at recognising fauna rather than flora. -
Winter Flower
Macro photography is apparently a perishable skill. In the Swiss Gardens, in diminishing light, I only managed to take a couple worthy of keeping. Hoorah for modern digital cameras and large capacity memory cards!