For the Beaufighter fans out there

[Ewan]

I know not much happens currently as there are not many around - but here is what we did at the end of our Warbird Restoration Services working bee today at the Moorabbin Air Muesum in Victoria, Australia. Blasted batteries died after a couple of turns but hey, there's life in the old girl yet, and as far as I know is the only one capable in the world of doing this yet. Great work Ash Briggs for the foresight to try this, she's been dormant for 20 odd years....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuEIeAq_rlk

[CDF]

Kudos

Here's some pic from my collection

[Ewan]

CDF they are some mighty impressive shots in that collection. Do you have any info on dates, places etc. Love to see them in a row like that first shot.

[Pat Carry]

Nice pics, thanks

[Invader26]

The RAAF at its best [note our high standards of working dress!!]. Thanks for posting the pics.

[Jollygreenslugg]

Kudos

Here's some pic from my collection

G'day CDF,

Thanks for the pics. Any idea if the lineup pic was taken in Wagga? Doubtful, I imagine, but the background is reminiscent of Wagga. I live 20 minutes away and get there from time to time.

I have a Beaufort nose glazing section that came from an aeroplane scrapped at Wagga. Given also that the Camden Beau came from near Wagga, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that quite a few of them were broken up there.

Dunno why they didn't just bury them with the Lancer! *runs off, giggling!*

I kid. I kid because I love!

Cheers,
Matt

CDF, as an aside, does your username relate to that classic Aussie expression for common sense, relating to low-class canine intercourse?

[CDF]

Squadron Leader H. Lavery, of Melbourne (Vic.) instructing Australian Beaufighter crews on the effectiveness of the rocket, standing on its tail 1944

LAC. N. R. Hewitt (Subiaco) getting armour piercing heads ready to be screwed into rockets

Three groundstaff fitting rockets to the rails of a Beaufighter, being watched by F/O. W. J. Madigan (Toorak Gardens, S. Aust.), F/Sgt. K. M. Bond (Bronte, N.S.W.).

From left: F/O L. W. Farr DFC, of Sydney, F/O E. W. Watson DFC of Drummoyne, W/Cdr. J. N. Davenport DSO, DFC and Bar, G. M. of Blakehurst, P/O N. A. Wilson (killed aircraft accident) of Sydney and P/O J. R. Maxwell of Randwick, N.S.W.

From left F/O.D. Wishaw of Carrick, Tasmania, F/Sgt.J. C. Auliffe of Peterborough, S. A. and S/Ldr. A. L. Wiggins DSO,DFC.

[JohnB]

It's a type that given its production and service, I'm surprised that there isn't one flying or at least more survivors.
Why is that? Complex airframe construction...unsupportable engines...both?

[Ewan]

It was possible to resurrect FHC's BMW801 for their FW190, none existing prior, and still the sole operating of it's type. So technically it might be possible to restore a pair of running Hercules engines, most of which I understand are the wrong type or non-existant. The Big Problem: Reproduction Cost. The Fighter Collection's Beaufighter restoration is stopped, to my understanding, partly because they don't have restorable-to-running Hercules engines. I'm assuming the main hurdle being the cost in remanufacturing significant missing parts, or is it non-existant engines?

That is pretty much about it, the Moorabbin Museum has a number of Hercules engines, but are not all the same model as I understand it. Sourcing parts and cores is a real Indiana Jones type thing. If you put engines and their manufacturing numbers into perspective :

P+W R1340 around 35,000 made
Allison V12 More than 70,000 made
P+W 1830 around 173,000 made
RR Merlin around 150,000 made

It's a type that given its production and service, I'm surprised that there isn't one flying or at least more survivors.
Why is that? Complex airframe construction...unsupportable engines...both?

I often ask that myself. The airframe is modular so that should not have been too much of a drama, it's more the engines are the real issue. Not many around.

While I think of it, so there were 5,928 made. Around six survive. The one we turned over on the weekend is one of only two Australian DAP Beaufighters left - there were only around 360 made.

Heres the video clip of the last full engine run at Moorabbin - in 1983, VHS footage so its a tad grainy, but better than nothing....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTl7ZsM3Fvo
Bristol Hercules 57,800 made

So 1340's aside you are going to have an issue with spares etc for a Hercules engine. In the Beau we turned over the engines are XVII's again hard to get a hold of parts.

[spinner]

It's a type that given its production and service, I'm surprised that there isn't one flying or at least more survivors.
Why is that? Complex airframe construction...unsupportable engines...both?

Just a note from experience.

While the air-frame is modular to some degree, the center section of the air-frame is remarkably complex and over-engineered (poms) like a bridge. Worse, the wartime alloys are given to heavy and deep inter-granular corrosion, especially in proximity to the heavy fasteners. Drilling out just a 2-3 rivets can result in the loss of a surface area the size of a small childs hand and as much as 2mm deep.

[oz rb fan]

the other problem with beafighter's is the prop's....the one on the sbd side of Moorabins is the one known set of serviceable blades....now with money this can be cured as shown with the new build set's done for the two f82's being restored at the moment so you never know.

[CDF]

Flight Officers T. M. Berry and R. R. Shaw, Technical Observers, discussing instrument readings after a test flight;

F/O. J. N. Marr, Observer and Navigator, plotting a course during a flight;

F/Lt. F. J. Gardiner and F/O. L. J. Lyne just returned from a search for a missing Spitfire pilot

[Ewan]

CDF again some magnificent shots there I sympathise with the nav in his seat, I was in that seat last weekend and being 6ft 6 it is a helluva cramped area. I came away with more bruises on the head from hitting the roof all the time !

Cheers

Ewan

https://www.facebook.com/WarbirdRestorationServices

[CDF]

[Ewan]

That's a great shot ! I wonder where the film of that pass has ended up ?