Windsor (CH2A) Lancaster Restoration

[Zac Yates]

I hope this doesn't come across as rude, but how have the last three-four months gone for the restoration project? Is there any progress that can be shared?

[Rhino-9-3]

Sorry guys, been away for school again and haven't really had the chance to keep things going on here. I'm going to try to get another one of the crew members to continue things where I left off, hopefully soon!

[Big Daddy]

Sorry guys, been away for school again and haven't really had the chance to keep things going on here. I'm going to try to get another one of the crew members to continue things where I left off, hopefully soon!

Hey Ryan,

I will jump in here if you don't mind.

Current mini-projects in progress are:

1) Construction of an 8'x16' media blast booth is almost complete (just waiting for air lines to be installed). This will allow us to do virtually all blasting in-house of engine cowls, undercarriage doors and valances, vertical stabs, large access panels, etc.

2) Engine #1, which had an aborted re-build attempt, is having all parts crated in preparation to be sent to Jack Rousch in Detroit for a complete overhaul (once we come up with $150K).

3) All undercarriage doors and valances have been removed and are in the process of being de-riveted and re-skinned.

4) A lot of paint stripping was completed over the summer, mostly on the remaining engine cowls and covers.

5) It has been decided to leave #2 engine and prop on the aircraft at this time. #3 and #4 engines are in the CH2A hangar on engine stands. #2 radiator assembly was removed to allow for corrosion inhibition. Further oiling of this engine and firewall assembly will continue.

As she sits in the quonset (before the remaining undercarriage doors and rad were removed):



Cheers,
Don Christopher

[Rhino-9-3]

Thanks Don! Was going to see if James was interested in keeping things going on here, but you're more than welcome to. It's greatly appreciated!

[Big Daddy]

Thanks Don! Was going to see if James was interested in keeping things going on here, but you're more than welcome to. It's greatly appreciated!

Glad to help, Ryan. More up-to-date info can be seen on our Facebook page,,http://www.facebook.com/groups/75034966975/10151089522451976/?notif_t=group_activity

Here are some more pics that James took just last night...

[Zac Yates]

Outstanding! Thankyou for sharing, guys.

[Big Daddy]

Outstanding! Thankyou for sharing, guys.

Glad to help, Zac. I will try to keep this more up to date from now on.

Cheers,

Don

[groundpounder]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of shape are the engines in ? 150k times four is a lot of dough. Could the engines have a limited re-build done so they are suitable for ground running and taxi runs ? I am a mechanic and i know that often, not everything needs to be replaced. I would think that the engines were in good running condition when the plane was grounded.

[Rhino-9-3]

I would think that the engines were in good running condition when the plane was grounded.

They may have been, but you also have to think, they sat outside exposed to the elements for about 40 years. They are in decent shape considering, but still need a large amount of work.

We also had a local company start work on one of the engines for ground running condition but that company ended up causing damage to the engine which was somewhat of a set back...

[Big Daddy]

I would think that the engines were in good running condition when the plane was grounded.

They may have been, but you also have to think, they sat outside exposed to the elements for about 40 years. They are in decent shape considering, but still need a large amount of work.

We also had a local company start work on one of the engines for ground running condition but that company ended up causing damage to the engine which was somewhat of a set back...

Our goal is to get FM212 to airworthy condition. That is going to mean complete inspections and, likely, re-builds of all four engines. As far as we know, these are the original aircraft engines and, if so, they have over 8000 hours of flight time on them. That would likely mean that they have already been re-built at least 10-12 times, based on service interval.( My father was an LAC and their service interval on Merlins during the war was 500 hours.)

Cheers,
Don

[peter]

Just clarify that those engines were oiled several times when she was on the post and the props pulled through during the oiling process as well. Efforts made to keep birds etc out which worked pretty well

[groundpounder]

10-12 re-builds on an engine is a pretty high number in my opinion. Are these engines timed out? By the way i want to congratulate you folks on the fine work that you are doing. We visited the lancaster in Calgary 3 years ago and got a private tour of the inside which was very interesting. Good luck with your project !!

[Big Daddy]

10-12 re-builds on an engine is a pretty high number in my opinion. Are these engines timed out? By the way i want to congratulate you folks on the fine work that you are doing. We visited the lancaster in Calgary 3 years ago and got a private tour of the inside which was very interesting. Good luck with your project !!

After further discussions with some of the crew who have been working on 212 since the beginning, they are fairly certain these are not the original Merlins. Before the maintenance logs were "lost", James remembers reading them and seeing several entries where spare engines were used as replacements. This was pretty common back in that time as they had large inventories of engines and parts. When the city purchased 212 in the early 60's, they recall that none of the current engines had timed out. We think one had 600 hours, others 400, 250 and 150 respectively.

Thanks for your interest.

Don

[peter]

When she was viewed prior to purchase, she didnt have any engines fitted either same story with FM159 she didnt get her original engines when she was bought.

[Big Daddy]

The new media blast both got its first workout last night, cleaning up one of the undercarriage doors.

Last edited by Big Daddy on Sat May 25, 2013 8:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.