March
2002.
We have been asked by RAF Benson to supply Whirlwind XJ398 for their
families day and Jubilee celebrations in June when they hope to
have as many military helicopter types covering their rotary history
as possible on site.Discussions are ongoing and we hope to get together
a number of personnel from '398's past as a mini reunion whilst
it is there,watch this space in June.
February
2002.
'Success' the new gearbox mounting plate is now riveted in position
and all looks as goog as new.The group believe this is the first
time this structural component has been replaced on a Whirlwind
'in captivity'.Wiring looms from the engine and radio bays are being
removed from our spares airframe for installation into '345 to replace
those cut and damaged on its retirement.
January
2001.
As the new year hangover disapears we proceed with scraping and
cleaning off paint around the gearbox mounting plate Alan and Brian
are working with great care and accuracy to ensure all 'fits together'
when the time comes to reassemble component parts.
December
2001.
Work still progressing slowly with the replacement of the gearbox
mounting plate.Merry christmas to all our supporters and friends
and best wishes for 2002 (what happened to 2001).
November
2001.
Thanks this month to all who assisted with the sale and purchase
of quantities of our lottery tickets , the income from this will
assist greatly with various materials for which we have to pay market
prices.Thanks also to Tony Agar who having finished skinning aluminium
clad areas of his mosquito has donated a quantity of duralumin to
the group.
October
2001.
The most ambitious part of XP345's restoration is now underway
with the removal of its main rotor gearbox assembly. As previously
mentioned this will allow the mounting plate to be exchanged with
a fully refurbished example and also allows us to clean and service
the gearbox at bench level rather than an uncomfortable twelve feet
off the ground (sorry aprox' three metres for those who don't use
£-s-d any more).Whilst this work is going on some areas of
fuselage skin will be replaced around the area of the gearbox prior
to its replacement..
September
2001.
The decision has recently been made to restore XJ398 to its original
external appearance circa 1959 ( see picture in the '398 history
section).This will be in overall silver livery with Westland and
De-haviland logos on each side of the cabin.In anticipation of this
courtesy of John Hunter at the Dundonald Aviation Centre. Once this
nose door and a SAR hoist have been fitted the repainting of '398
can go ahead. Should anyone wish to assist with sponsorship for
the repaint of '398 the group would be happy to discuss details,
please contact us via this website.
August
2001.
Repairs have now been completed to the nose door of XP345 ,this
can now be repainted and refitted to the airframe. Most replacement
instuments have now been obtained for the instrument panel, many
thanks to the individuals who donated these to the group.
July
2001.
The main rotor gear box mounting plate has been removed from our
'spares' airframe. This this will now be restored prior to repainting
and readying for installation on XP345. This will require the removal
of the main rotor gearbox assembl and is one of the most ambitious
parts of the project to return '345 to ground running condition.
June
2001.
Work continues on XP 345. Dave Knowlson has now taken many of
the removed panels which have been stripped of the old paint to
his paintshop for spraying . These include items such as oleo legs
, radio and engine bay doors , battery compartment covers and other
smaller parts. These will be returned in due course with primer
and undercoat finish . The team are hard at work stripping paint
from other parts of the airframe, re-riveting where original rivets
have corroded and effecting small repairs to the nose door , ventral
fairing and cockpit roof assembly. For those who may be able to
assist the parts list posted on this site has just been updated
( note , many parts are common to Wessex and other helicopters of
the period , these are marked where applicable )
May
2001...
Highlight of the month was helicopter day which was a very well
attended event this year. Visiting helicopters included the Yorkshire
Air Ambulance in the shape of Bolkow MBB 105 from Leeds Bradford
airport.Bob Hields immaculate Bell 47 also put in an appearance.
Other types such as Hughes 600 ' Notar' , Robinson R22's , Schweizer
300c's visited during the day and all the aircraft were accomodated
on site at the Museum. A welcome variation to the helicopters came
in the shape of two Auster 5's visiting from nearby Breighton these
of course used the adjacent airfield . Judging by the comments all
had an enjoyable day with us at YAM. We would like to offer our
thanks to all who attended and hope you will join us 'same time
, same place ' next year.
April
2001...
Work during April consisted mainly of preparing for helicopter day.
Whirlwind XP 345 has been 'tidied ' so that inspection of the ongoing
restoration work can be inspected at close quarters. Whirlwind XJ
398 and e of '398 has also been prepared for its first engine runs
of the season.
March
2001...
Replacement of or repairs to the corroded areas on the port side
fuselage panels on XP345 are progressing well in the capable hands
of Brian Dixon. Alan continues with the restoration of various cockpit
components. A meeting was arranged with John Joint (see feb' news)
to collect the picture he has donated of XJ398. This was planned
for March 19th and Old Warden (Shuttleworth Collection) was decided
upon as the venue, this being convenient for all concerned to reach
easily and being the 'volunteer' workplace of on of John's ex collegues
Bryan Avery to who we are indebted for setting up the venue for
us.The picture was duly presented to Mike Fitch and Alan Beattie
by John in the presence of ex collegues Bryan Avery,Geoff Hanlon,Mick
Craddock and Jim Willmott (who himself is a volunteer worker with
the 'Halifax Bomber' team at Y.A.M Elvington). Many more items of
ts to include them in
the web site information.
February 2001...
During the last few weeks discussions have led to much more information
regarding XJ398.We were contacted by John Joint who was de-Haviland
engines Senior Service Representative at Westlands from 1958 to
1965. John covered the installation of the GE T58 and Gnome power
plants in the Whirlwind, he was also heavily involved in its subsequent
development. This installation involved both XJ398 and XJ396 ('396
was eventually scrapped) and culminated in John and the rest of
the de-Haviland team taking XJ398 to the Paris Airshow in 1958 with
the T58 installed and to Farnborough with the Gnome in 1959. Through
his endeavours John has gleaned much information from his ex collegues
regarding '398s history, he has also offered for our archive a 14"
x 19" framed picture of '398 hovering in front of the de-Haviland,Hatfield
buildings. This we have greatfully accepted and a meeting is to
be arranged to collect it shortly.
December
2000...
Mid December the group were advised by M.O.D disposals that
our tender for redundant Mk10 Whirlwind (XD165) battle damage section
hulk from the AAC base at Wattisham had been accepted. Whilst beyond
any hope of restoration in its own right the parts available from
it will allow us to complete the restoration of XP345. A provisional
visit to ready the airframe for transport was made between christmas
and the new year.
November 2000...
called
'ARDROX' which is extremely efficient at removing grime which has
adhered over a number of years. We can strongly recommend to other
groups who want to save hours of hard work removing dirt and grime,
we would like to take this opportunity to which all our supporters
best wishes for Christmas and the new year.
October
2000....
XP345's tailboom area has now been coated with 3 coats of primer
and undercoat, this has given the group quite a boost after many
months of paint stripping, rubbing down , filling and general preparation
work on this area. The tail rotor blades are now being prepared
ebuilding of the instrument panel. Only 3 left now to obtain
(See part requirement list for details if you can help).
September
2000....
Work continues apace on '345 with the cockpit area now cleaned and
painting started. Brian Dixon is making progress with general (sometimes
extensive) fuselage panel repairs. at the rear the tail rotor gearbox
is being rebuilt and refitted by other members of the team. The
ground power unit donated to us by westlands has now been checked
over and with a new supply cable fitted pronounced fit for use.
This makes the ground running of XJ398 much more convenient.
June 2000....
The package hoist obtained in may is undergoing restoration
to operational condition. It has not yet been decided if it will
be fitted to 345 or 398. We ideally need another so that both airframes
can be brought up to ' complete ' condition. On the subject of parts
the rotor blades are undergoing restoration and we seek a quantity
of neoprene blade edge tape for all six blades (345's and 398's)
urgently, if you can help please let us know. We are also in need
of a volunteer who has the time and facilities to repair our canvas
trouping seat covers. This consists mainly of re-stitching seams
and manufacturing new canvas retaining straps, again if you can
help please let us know --
