Bald Eagle Aviation

[51fixer]

The Collings crew is at our home airport for a few days and I hope to see them and go for a ride with Jimmy in the B17 tomorrow.

Here's a shot after Betty Jane was put to bed. Man is that a sweet airplane. Even Rich is baffled trying to keep it on the ground.

Am not.
I've been busy here-

Exhaust stud, bad.

Centered drill bushing guide over stud before remaval.

Drilled stripped hole to needed dia specified for thread repair. Dia and depth is critical as coolant circulates around the alum boss where this hole is located.
Too big a dia, too deep or drill crooked and you could get wet.

Tapped the hole as required for this repair. The stud is 3/8" - 20 TPI, or commonly referred as a 3/8 BSF thread.

Betty Jane with company.

3 Stangs-

Some canopy and cockpit shots-



Rich

[RyanShort1]

The Collings crew is at our home airport for a few days and I hope to see them and go for a ride with Jimmy in the B17 tomorrow.

Here's a shot after Betty Jane was put to bed. Man is that a sweet airplane. Even Rich is baffled trying to keep it on the ground.

That's awesome that those P-51s share the hangar with an L-4!

Ryan

[JimH]

Thanks for all your hospitality!!! We really appreciate it, I hope the crew comes down for a few beverages this evening, I am really sorry I am going to miss it. I had to return to work in Florida...been out on tour for a month. Great to meet you Rich, you gave us a great tour a few years ago. I will hang around next time we are in town!!!

jim harley

[b29flteng]

Pulled studs, is this a common problem with Merlins?

[51fixer]

Pulled studs, is this a common problem with Merlins?

Griffon in this case but Merlins have these problems on occasion as well.

Rich

[51fixer]

Thanks for all your hospitality!!! We really appreciate it, I hope the crew comes down for a few beverages this evening, I am really sorry I am going to miss it. I had to return to work in Florida...been out on tour for a month. Great to meet you Rich, you gave us a great tour a few years ago. I will hang around next time we are in town!!!

jim harley

JIm,
Will look forward to the next time.
Yesterday I did a ground run on the Spit-

This morning after Chris pulled the P-51 out Ed appeared in the F4U-4.




A few shots from their visit-








P-51 departing today-

Consider that there were versions of the Griffon Spit that operated off of carriers just like the Corsair did.
An interesting comparison-

Rich

[gregv]

Thanks as always for taking the time to post these updates!

Question regarding the exhaust stud repair: after oversize drilling the hole and tapping it, does a heli-coil type insert go in to take a regular stud, or do you install studs that have an oversize base but regular-size protruding portion? Hope that made sense, not sure on some of the technical terms...

thanks!

greg v.

[pstang]

I love this thread. Any pics of February? TIA.

[Eric Rogers]

Rich,

In your photos showing how you remove the stud in the head why are some of the valve cover studs above the drill guide longer with additional washers below the nut?

[51fixer]

Rich,

In your photos showing how you remove the stud in the head why are some of the valve cover studs above the drill guide longer with additional washers below the nut?

Because they are British and complicate everything.
Rich

[51fixer]

Thanks as always for taking the time to post these updates!

Question regarding the exhaust stud repair: after oversize drilling the hole and tapping it, does a heli-coil type insert go in to take a regular stud, or do you install studs that have an oversize base but regular-size protruding portion? Hope that made sense, not sure on some of the technical terms...

thanks!

greg v.

Both are possible.
Many different repair schemes are shown in the service and overhaul manuals.
Rich

[51fixer]

I love this thread. Any pics of February? TIA.

Currently hiding in the back corner of the hangar.
It is scheduled for use in the Heritage flight at Oceana Air Show later this month.
Rich

[Eric Rogers]

Eric Rogers wrote:
Rich,

In your photos showing how you remove the stud in the head why are some of the valve cover studs above the drill guide longer with additional washers below the nut?

Because they are British and complicate everything.
Rich

Rich,

In your photos showing how you remove the stud in the head why are some of the valve cover studs above the drill guide longer with additional washers below the nut?

Because they are British and complicate everything.
Rich

Thanks for the quick response

I look forward to each post you make on this thread. I am addicted.

[ZRX61]

Both are possible.
Many different repair schemes are shown in the service and overhaul manuals.
Rich

How about time-serts?

[51fixer]

I got some space back in the hangar.
Ed and Jim have left in February and the F4U-4 for the airshow at Oceana.
Now its party time.
Don't let Jim know.