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LMS Patriot Project Updates

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Gav106, Apr 10, 2011.

  1. sir gilbert claughton

    sir gilbert claughton Well-Known Member

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    gotta feeling the one in SA had a nasty crash . not sure if it is being put back together.

    somebody had one in their back garden , near Gatwick.

    Farnboro airshow , early 1970s. the weather was shite with a low cloudbase all day . the Lightning was grounded . at the end we waited for some of the traffic to clear .
    about an hour later the Lightning was warming up and taxied to the runway .
    throttles open , brakes on then he went for it . reheat was on after 100 yds . he stood the b.....y thing on its tail and he was gone straight thro the clouds . for evidence it left a steaming steaming runway .best thing we saw all day and probably all over in 30secs

    Concorde and the Viggen were noisy but sheeesh!

    45550 , sitting at Harrow ,blowing off for 15 mins was PD loud as well . -
    I do hope the Warrior gets a proper NW whistle . I used to lay in bed hearing the Pats run thro with the whistle screaming like a demented banshee
     
  2. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    In the summer of '85 I worked at Porton Down, next door to Boscombe Down, where the test pilot school flew a Lightning and a Hunter. Fantastic memories of the noise and spectacle of those aircraft been taken to their limits.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2017
  3. Gav106

    Gav106 Well-Known Member

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    She has indeed got a LNWR whistle! And im sure we will have a play with it at some point!
     
  4. AndyY

    AndyY Member

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    The SA Lightning was written-off in the crash, along with the unfortunate pilot. The accident report makes sobering reading. All the indications were there the day before that something was critically wrong, with fuel dripping out, but an 'it'll be alright, don't worry' attitude prevailed, and a fire started in flight. For a Lightning to fly safely the operator had to be totally on top of its maintenance, corners simply couldn't be cut, probably more so than any other aircraft.
    We had the last four Lightnings flying in Britain at Warton, used as target aircraft during radar flight testing. Unfortunately the pull-up into a vertical climb on take-off was banned as the aircraft were running out of fatigue life too quickly!
    Andy
     
  5. Kinghambranch

    Kinghambranch Well-Known Member

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    Sadly, in some respects for me, the Frightnings were the 1st of several iconic types that left service not long after I joined. The end came after RAF Binbrook closed in 1988, a station I never had the chance to be posted to. I always understood that the Lightning leaked so much fluid because everything was designed to "tighten up" by the time operational altitude was reached. I have also been told the same as your post indicates - maintenance requirements needed to be absolutely top-notch.
     
  6. AndyY

    AndyY Member

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    I never had any involvement with the Lightning, but my ex-boss, now well into his eighties, certainly did. He joined Warton when it was English Electric, and was fully involved in the Lightning design.
    I don't believe a Lightning in tip-top condition leaked fuel or hydraulic fluid, they just had a tendency to do so, and if you wanted your aircraft to survive then the problem had to be fixed or a fire could be the result. As we know, the RAF lost quite a few due to fires. I understand that Saudi Arabia never lost any due to fire, and I was told that this was because their pre-flight inspection for leaks was even more rigorous than the RAF's!
    Their was no excuse for the crash in SA - the aircraft was shouting 'fix me' and it was ignored.
    When I was on the Eurofighter flight controls team in Munich, also on the team was Peter Orme, ex-test pilot and Lightning pilot. He was always a bit miffed that he'd been the last person to fly a Lightning, until the SA examples flew. When I asked why didn't he go and have a flight with them, his answer was 'No way, it's far too dangerous an aircraft!'
    I think Thunder City subsequently flew another of their Lightnings, but it's all gone very quiet, I don't know if they are still in business.
     
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  7. daveannjon

    daveannjon Well-Known Member

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    Getting back to 5551, I thought the trust were hoping the RBL would fund the loco visiting various events in 2018, although I don't think there was any intention of having it steamed by then.

    Dave
     
  8. Kinghambranch

    Kinghambranch Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure but I understood that no RBL funds would ever be used to support 5551, as all RBL funding is to go directly for charity support to serving and ex-Service personnel, families and/or dependents. However, the local RBL president is also a friend so I will ask her what she knows. I will do it very diplomatically of course and purely as a supporter of 5551, nothing else.
     
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  9. Foxhunter

    Foxhunter Member

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    This is the famous Jim Meads photo of a plummeting lightning.... apart from being a great equestrian photographer, Jim also spent a lot of time at the ECML between 1946 and 1965 and the A1 Steam Trust has his scanned archives. BTW, the pilot survived... landing in the glasshouses in the background.

    [​IMG]
    Foxy
     
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  10. Eightpot

    Eightpot Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    If I recall correctly this happened at the de Havilland airfield at Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The registration on the tractor is a Hertfordshire one.
     
  11. Gav106

    Gav106 Well-Known Member

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    There was one director who was looking at external funding for an event in 2018 and was in discussions with a set up that was looking at different events that would be going on in 2018 and how we could possibly fit into this. I believe it involved the RBL the NMA and many other groups etc. But who was actually funding the 2018 events i dont know.

    For me 2018 was never as important as 2020. I believe that we are building 'The Unknown Warrior' and the body was not bought back to the uk until the 10th of november 1920. I would love to be able to do an overnight run from Dover to Victoria with the Cavell van and replica casket 100yrs since the van did the original run. But whether there is enough time to get 5551 on the mainline by then, nevermind the cavell van, only time will tell.
     
  12. As I said in an earlier post...
    I'm not going to say any more on the subject. As I (and, in fairness, Simon) also said earlier, agreeing to disagree is gentlemanly.
     
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  13. Gav106

    Gav106 Well-Known Member

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  14. DismalChips

    DismalChips Member

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    Sounds like a good outcome for all concerned, then. New boiler specialists are surely a welcome development.

    EDIT: all concerned except LNWR, who are probably smarting at the loss of two experienced staff.
     
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  15. AndyY

    AndyY Member

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    It looks like Heritage Railway got it right regarding the location!

    It's good news, as there will be continuity of the guys working on the job.

    Andy
     
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  16. huochemi

    huochemi Part of the furniture

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  17. GWR Man.

    GWR Man. Well-Known Member

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    At least they will know first hand what has been done on the boiler/firebox, as there is a very good chance they would have been working on it, so they wont have to do so much homework on what the work is like.
     
  18. aron33

    aron33 Member

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    Great news indeed!
     
  19. BanburyKev

    BanburyKev New Member

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    The boiler components moved from Crewe to Heritage Steam Boiler Services at the West Shed, Midland Railway Centre yesterday, ready for work to start next week. 20171130_131340.jpg
     
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  20. BanburyKev

    BanburyKev New Member

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    The latest Engineering up-date has been loaded to the project web-site this afternoon.

    Engineering up-date - December 2017
    Submitted by Kevin West on 22 December, 2017 - 14:10
    Just a quick end of year report majoring on progress on the Boiler at Heritage Boiler Steam Services.

    Work continues on the construction of The Unknown Warrior at number of locations.

    Boiler
    Following on form the last report we were finally able to announce that we have placed a contract with Heritage Boiler Steam Services to complete the construction of the boiler for The Unknown Warrior. HBSS is based at the West Shed, Swanwick Junction, Midland Railway Centre and has been formed by Rob Adamson and Andy Wilcock, both who previously worked for LNWR Heritage, Crewe. They have both been working on our boiler at Crewe and looking after the boilers of the locomotives in the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust based at the West Shed.

    The component parts of the boiler were moved from Crewe to the West Shed on Thursday 30th November. Loading at Crewe took some time as the parts were located at several points across the depot and Heritage Centre. On arrival at the West Shed we found the unloading area was being used to lift and turn a boiler. Unloading of our parts was therefore delayed until this was finished, finally being completed around 11pm!

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    The Boiler Barrel, Inner Firebox and Outer Firebox Wrapper loaded at LNWR Heritage, Crewe, ready to move to the West Shed. 30thNovember 2017. Photo – Kevin West

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    The Doorplate being loaded onto the road trailer at LNWR Heritage, Crewe, 30th November 2017. Photo – Kevin West

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    LMS-Patriot Project Chairman, David Bradshaw and CME, Kevin West are seen with Rob Adamson and Andy Wilcock from Heritage Boiler Steam Services on 30th November. Photo - Gavin Shell

    Work started on the first stages of preparing the Outer Wrapper and Doorplate for assembly on the following Monday, 4th December. This entails the marking out of the hundreds of rivet holes in preparation for pilot drilling.

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    The Doorplate showing the start of marking out for drilling. West Shed. 8h December 2017. Photo – Kevin West

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    The Inner Firebox seen through the Outer Firebox Wrapper, West Shed. 8h December 2017. Photo – Kevin West

    By the end of the month work had advanced sufficiently for a trial fitting of the Doorplate into the Outer Wrapper.

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    Trial fitting of the Doorplate into the Outer Wrapper. West Shed. 20th December 2017. Photos – HBSS

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    Trial fitting of the Doorplate into the Outer Wrapper. West Shed. 20th December 2017. Photos – HBSS

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    Close up view of the riveting on the Inner Firebox. Photos – HBSS

    This work is a major step forward towards the completion of the boiler assembly.

    The Throatplate was briefly returned to Tyseley for some attention to some welding that was requested by our insurance company. This work was completed very quickly and passed inspection before being delivered to the West Shed.

    Brake System and Lubrication System
    Work continues on installing the lubrication system pipework.

    The new Locomotive Brake Cylinder that was delivered to Llangollen on the morning of our AGM 11th November has been receiving attention in the Llangollen machine shop to finish machining that the supplier was unable to complete due to staff illness. The Cylinder has subsequently been moved to Harco for completion as it was found to be outside the capacity of the machine at Llangollen. The cost of this work is being reclaimed from the Cylinder supplier.

    Refurbishment of the original 9” Tender Brake Cylinder from 8F 48518 continues at Harco Engineering.

    The Oil Box for lubrication of the Ashpan Damper operating gear has been cast and delivered to Llangollen for machining.

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    Oil Box. Photo – Kevin West

    Pistons, Valves and Motion
    Work is progressing on the procurement and manufacture of the remaining Inside Valve Gear parts.

    Recently delivered are the 3 Die Block sets for all 3 sets of Valve Gear.

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    Die Block sets for the 3 sets of Valve Gear. Photo – Kevin West

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    One of the Die Blocks showing the superb machining. Photo – CMS Cepcor

    Also delivered is the Inside Union Link for the Inside Valve Gear.

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    Inside Union Link. Photo – Kevin West

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    Close up view Inside Union Link. Photo – Kevin West

    All the associated Pins and Collars for the 3 Union Links have been machined and were delivered but have been returned for finishing following inspection.

    Work continues on the final design of the Piston Rod and Valve Rod assemblies. The detail drawings we have are for the Royal Scot class locomotives as built. The Valves heads fitted then had a single wide Valve Ring which proved to be unreliable in service and were later replaced by multiple rings. We are waiting to obtain a copy of the Jubilee class drawing from Tyseley to enable detail drawings to be prepared.

    A similar design update for the pistons is to be fitted. Once again detail drawings will be finished once a suitable piston can be measured up.

    We have obtained on loan, from Tyseley, an original Piston Rod Gland Spring unit to measure up for manufacture of new items for The Unknown Warrior.

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    Original Piston Rod Gland Spring Unit. Photo – Kevin West

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    Piston Rod Gland Spring Unit. Photo – Kevin West

    Manufacture of the Cab Reverser unit continues at Harco Engineering.

    Drain Cock Gear, Cylinder Relief Valves & Sanding Gear

    Work continues at Llangollen trying to get the Cylinder Relief Valves to seat properly and open at the required pressure. At present we have valves which open at very low pressure. We are investigating sending the units to a safety valve manufacturer for investigation.

    Fittings
    We have recently taken delivery of 2 new Great Western pattern 10 X Injectors. Great Western pattern injectors are known for greater reliability over the more troublesome LMS designs and are being widely fitted to former LMS locomotives.

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    Injectors. Photo – Kevin West

    The mountings for the Outside Cylinder Valve Chest Drain Cocks has been cast and delivered to Llangollen for machining.

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    Drain Cock Mountings. Photo – Kevin West

    Tender

    Little work to report on the tender as the major effort has been on the locomotive chassis.

    The new Rear Buffer Beam and Frame Stretchers have been delivered.

    Future Work Planning
    Areas of existing design work include, Boiler Cladding Sheets, Cab Footplate structure and Tender Tank.
     

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