XM655 Winter Maintenance

[Sooty655]

The biggest job on our list this winter is another engine inspection, this time on No 3. We have spent the last couple of Saturdays disconnecting pipework and electrics and installing the hoists, and the plan was to lower the engine out of the airframe yesterday morning.

The engine doors are mounted on 15 pivot pins, 14 of which came out easily. As is the way of these things, removal of the 15th pin consumed all of the morning, and when the doors were finally off we had to assess whether we should start lowering the engine with only three hours of daylight remaining.

We decided to go for it, and the engine was out and in its stand within half an hour. We put the doors back on to secure the airframe, and wrapped up the engine in its tarpaulin blanket. Next week we start the dismantling process to access the compressors for inspection.

I have no pics to hand, but some were taken and I will try to get them for posting later. It is also rumoured that Bovril may be posting a video before too long.

[Mayfly]

It was a bit blowy here yesterday - couldn't have been too comfortable working if it was the same at Wellesbourne - is No 3 the oldest houred engine not previously inspected?

[Sooty655]

"A bit blowy" is putting it mildly. It was blowing a gale for most of the day, but thankfully it wasn't cold.

No 3 is actually our oldest engine in terms of hours since overhaul, but it was returned to Ansty for a part-life repair. We chose No 4 as our first inspection candidate last year because it had most hours since last factory visit.

[Bovril]

world premier.....

[Sooty655]

One minute and six seconds ~ not bad for a bunch of amateurs.

[Mayfly]

Excellent!!

[Sploosher]

BRAVO......................

How long to put it back then

[Sooty655]

How long to put it back then

The honest answer is that it will be out for about a month, then one Saturday to winch it back into position followed by a couple of weeks to reconnect everything ready for test runs sometime in March.

The tongue-in-cheek answer is that it all depends what time-lapse Bovril applies to the video.

[Nickolas]

Probably 1'6".......
Roll the video BACKWARDS

[Xplumberlives]

I love the way STEPLADDER tried to hog the scene!

[Gaz]

Nice work, as always

[Bovril]

it was a pity the steps got in the way a bit, but i just locked off the camera so we could concentrate on the removal

[Mayfly]

I think it's brill!!! who's the tall guy?

[Jigsaw]

Great video, superbly efficient crew. You guys should have been in the RAF

[Bovril]

I think it's brill!!! who's the tall guy?

http://vulcanxm655.fotopic.net/c1910730.html

[Jigsaw]

I think it's brill!!! who's the tall guy?

http://vulcanxm655.fotopic.net/c1910730.html

Excellent

[Sooty655]

The tall guy is Bryan as seen in the pic-link posted by Bovril. His fiance, Avril, is seen in the video (mainly back view) taking photographs.

They are our newest volunteers.

[Bovril]

Probably 1'6".......
Roll the video BACKWARDS

or quicker

[Sooty655]

Another good day at Wellesbourne, despite the cold which wasn't made any better by the prop-wash from the flying school next door.

We removed all the pipework and fittings over the No 3 engine compressors and lifted the LP casing. All of the blading was revealed to be in excellent condition, needing only a good wash.

Next week we will remove and replace the two cracked Stage 0 stator blades, and give everything a good wash. Then we can box up the LP and move on to the HP compressor inspection.

[Jigsaw]

Thanks for the update Sooty. Really hope all is smooth going (yeah right)

[Mayfly]

Good to know you're looking after the old girl!!!

[Avro683]

Thanks for the update Sooty, sounds like the engines in overall excellent condition..!

[Gaz]

Good work you lot

[Sooty655]

Pleased to report another successful day at Wellesbourne yesterday. We cleaned the LP compressor of the No 3 engine, and changed the two cracked Stage 0 stators. Everything was given a final protective coating of PX24, and the compressor top-half casing was re-installed and bolted down. Next week we will make a start on the HP compressor inspection.

RHV may have some pictures of the day's activities when he gets back from his day off visiting our under-powered friends at Lineham.

In the meantime, here are a few pics from the previous two weeks.

The troublesome hinge pin


Coming down (Eat your heart out, Mackrick)


Engine clear of the airframe


First view of the LP compressor


The photographer


All of the pictures were taken by Avril (except the last one, obviously).

[Mayfly]

Nice thanks for posting them Sooty - was it a tad warmer yesterday?

Didn't you fancy visiting the cousin then?