XM655

[Sooty655]

You don't want this happening do you ....
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showpost.php?p=1513931&postcount=1

We certainly don't, which is why we keep the CofG well forward.

However, the amount of snow we found today was enough to cause concern, so we set about removing it.


Picture credit:- Charles Brimson

It was about four hours work for four of us, with frequent coffee breaks to warm up. We removed all the snow from the wing surfaces aft of the main undercarriage. The area forward of the gear was left snow-covered, to push the CofG even further forward and hopefully help combat the effect of any further significant snowfalls.

Back to 655 is the idea to drop the engine and get it undercover
to examine it?
Presumably the engine bay can still be closed and locked without the engine in.
It seems a bit of a tall order to remove the engine examine it and get it back in
all in one day.

Once the engine is out, the engine bay doors can be put back on and the aircraft made secure. The dismantling, inspection, any necessary rectification and then re-assembly will take some time.

Hope that the guys at NEAM can sort out their problems, and that the damage is not too serious.

[Crew chief]

Hi all.

News of our No 4 engine drop will appear here soon.


cc.

[Mayfly]

I must be psychic I only thinking about this, this morning

[Bovril]

Hi all.

News of our No 4 engine drop will appear here soon.


cc.

[Sploosher]

655 is looking good, just a shame that she cant be put into a hanger.......................

[Xplumberlives]

Or a HANGAR!

[Bovril]

yes would be very expensive

[Crew chief]

yes would be very expensive

To put a shed over 655 would cost about £200.000 at least.


cc.

[Xplumberlives]

Damn shame!

[Ramshornvortex]

Sooty will provide a full update of yesterday's activity at Wellesbourne shortly. In the meantime, we had a visitor yesterday - one of those Crew Chiefs who seem to have trouble with their legs!

[Mayfly]

Whats Mark done? or is it just a case of keeping up with Smiler?

[Sooty655]

:-o

Whats Mark done?

Dislocated kneecap about three weeks back. Slipped on ice whilst walking the dog.

[Ramshornvortex]

Slipped on ice whilst walking the dog

I think to be more accurate, the dog was walking him!

[Cluny]

Ouch , get well soon mate

[Saracenman]

i know it's early days, but what's the engine looking like in respect of keeping RR happy?

sm

[Mayfly]

Hi all.

News of our No 4 engine drop will appear here soon.


cc.

yesterday from CC

[Saracenman]

of course

[Crew chief]

Hi all.

The knee's not to bad.
I turned up just as the lads were about to lower the engine so it was perfect timing .
I do take my hat off to them for doing a superb job.

cc.

[Dan4th]

Hi all.
The knee's not to bad.
I turned up just as the lads were about to lower the engine so it was perfect timing .
I do take my hat off to them for doing a superb job. cc.

That's great, but what EYE want to know is
has the DOG Apologized Yet???????????

And IF not, WHY not?

Danf.

[Bovril]

sooty will fill you in ... but so far she looking in excellent condition

i know it's early days, but what's the engine looking like in respect of keeping RR happy?

sm

[Xplumberlives]

Some GOOD Vulcan news!

[Saracenman]

sooty will fill you in ... but so far she looking in excellent condition

i know it's early days, but what's the engine looking like in respect of keeping RR happy?

sm

[Ramshornvortex]

but so far she looking in excellent condition

Has the intake of copious amounts of thick, salty meat extract given you x-ray vision Mr Bovril??

[Xplumberlives]

He did say "SO FAR"!

[Sooty655]

As our regular readers will have noticed from the lack of progress reports, engine removal has been delayed for the last two weeks by a seized pip pin in the airframe over the front of the engine. This pin is used to mount the lifting/lowering equipment, and in theory is only fitted when the equipment is in use. Unfortunately, a pin was left in 655 at least 25 years ago, and now it doesn't want to budge. The access is VERY restricted, and after two Saturdays struggling, we decided to make a modified lifting attachment so we could use the pin in-situ.

With the modified arrangement, we had no problem installing the equipment, the engine was lowered without any significant problems, and was safely in the waiting stand by midday.

In the afternoon, we made a start on the dismantling, and got most of the bits and pieces over the LP compressor case out of the way by the end of the day.

Externally, the engine is in very clean condition, but of course what really matters is the condition on the inside. We expect to have the LP compressor top half casing off next Saturday, and we will then have a much better idea of the engine's condition, but so far, everything looks good.

Here are a few pictures to give you all a flavour of our busy day - all the pictures were taken by Charles Brimson.

This is the front lifting/lowering equipment in position.


Access to the front mounting bolt is a bit restricted on a 301.


We selected two team members with long arms and short necks to remove the pip pins from the main trunnions.

Whilst lowering, the CSDU electrical connections need to be watched for hang-ups.


The engine is almost clear of the airframe.


When it was clear of the airframe, the stand was positioned underneath.


With the trunnions already secured, the intake casing is almost on the pads.


We had plenty of time to make a start on the dismantling.


And we left the engine well wrapped up at the end of the day.