Hi John,
Sorry for the delay. While I'm sure there's a way to get the whole newsletter on here from the format I have on my computer, I haven't figured it out. So here's the meat of the text, copied and pasted. Unfortunately it doesn't have the accompanying photographs.
Flight Deck
The flight deck floor continues, with the footrests taking shape and thanks to East Coast Castings of
Watton, who have cast the rear sections, so another of Short’s complicated builds is coming together.
The pilot’s escape hatch was in a poor state has now been refurbished ready to fit. The Perspex has been
replaced and the framework repainted. A recent loan item from the North East Land, Sea and Air
Museums, Sunderland, of a cockpit copula centre section from aircraft LK488 has allowed us to verify the
location of the hatch. The centre section included an Elevator/ Rudder trim operating control box, this will
be restored to working condition with the replacement of damaged/missing parts.
Two items recently produced by casting is the lugs that are on the P1 elevator control stop assembly that
the flying control locks are attached to, the lugs have now been fitted and the assembly is now complete.
In the future we may make the control lock, but it will be in its stowed position aft of the 2nd Pilot as it
obstructs the 1st pilot’s position when fitted.
We have also had assistance from the Bedford Model Engineering Society in making components for the
P1 and P2 seat harness mechanism. We now have nearly all the components to construct these which
will be started as soon as we receive these components and have sourced the operation spring and cable.
Richard at RRB Engineering Ltd has also produced some components than make up the harness
mechanism.
Another recently delivered group of components are the elevator control levers that are under the P2
position which have been laser cut free of charge to the Project. These items are displayed below with
some of the other components we have that make up the controls, and includes a Fork End from
MacRobert’s Reply.
A most grateful thank you to the our external contacts for their assistance in getting these items made.
The Floodlight Panel located in the coupe centre section has been made by Kev and now ready to fit.
Still outstanding on the instrument panel is the Bomb Jettison ‘T’ handle, this is proving a challenge to
make due to the thin wall thickness of the barrel assembly and our access to suitable machine tools.
Hopefully this will be completed before the next Newsletter, however we did say that last time!
Wireless Operators station.
Work on the Wireless Operators station continues. We have also identified that there are more than one
version of the table fitted to the Stirling and differing radios depending on aircraft Mark.
Events
In the coming months we are planning to take the Project on the road and attend the Norfolk and Suffolk
Aviation Museum’s 1940’s day on 28th April and Aviation Enthusiasts Day on 19th May at Flixton
https://www.aviationmuseum.net and possibly the Armed Forces Day event in St Ives on 29 June 2019. If
you are able please come along and see some of the items we have made and have a chat, there are lots
to see at these events. We are also working on open house events at the workshop for small groups,
please contact us for details. We are also happy to host individuals and small groups on request.
Visits
Two team members spent a day at the RAF Museum Store at Stafford checking measurements for the
Stirling LK488 centre section that is stored there and also on a similar mission visited the Museum at
Manston where they have a section of rear fuselage. These visits have proved most fruitful in determining
the dimensions and profiles of the fuselage frames. A trip to France and Holland to study similar
components is planned for later in the year.
Recent visitors to the Project have been members of the Stirling Aircraft Society who were pleased to see
the fruits of their donations (Pilots’ Seat Cushions) installed in the flight deck structure.
Major Loans
Although we have not loaned out any items since the last Newsletter we have several items that we are
able to loan to suitable organisations. These include some of the main undercarriage oleo struts and
components. If anyone can think of a suitable location for items such as these to be loaned to please
contact the Secretary.
Help
We have recently started to identify all the components that make up the Autopilot controls which are all
located on a panel by the P1 position. We current have all the components required, however, our
Attitude Control 6H/356 is only the front plate and in poor condition. There are at least 2 versions of the
same Part No. of which ours is a later one. We have studied the construction of an early version but the
internal components are beyond our current manufacturing skill so we will have to try and purchase or
loan one. If anyone is aware of a 6H/356 Attitude Control available then please contact us.