RNHF Fairey Swordfish II LS326 - first ground runs today
Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:42 pm
Well, it's been a LONG time coming, but at 1205 today RNAS Yeovilton echoed to the sweet sound of a Bristol Pegasus for the first time in over three years and the first time in LS326 since 1999!
She fired first time (much to the relief of the guys on the starting handle!!) and ran for 20 mins. A few minor snags to sort out, but it's progress and I haven't seen than many smiling faces at RNHF for a long time either. Still a way to go before first flight, with several lengthy ground runs to carry out to prove the engine reliability, but it was a sheer joy to hear that lovely engine spluttering away today.
A hearty congratulations to Don, Mac, Fraz, Les, Dave and Mick.
She fired first time (much to the relief of the guys on the starting handle!!) and ran for 20 mins. A few minor snags to sort out, but it's progress and I haven't seen than many smiling faces at RNHF for a long time either. Still a way to go before first flight, with several lengthy ground runs to carry out to prove the engine reliability, but it was a sheer joy to hear that lovely engine spluttering away today.
A hearty congratulations to Don, Mac, Fraz, Les, Dave and Mick.
Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:57 pm
Wow! 
Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:38 pm
Fantastic....have'nt seen her fly since Duxford 2000/01...loved seeing her...
Mark
Mark
Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:09 pm
Hey that's awesome.
I imagine there aren't many running Pegasus engines out there, right?
-David
I imagine there aren't many running Pegasus engines out there, right?
-David
Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:29 pm
sweet restoration. would love to see it on the u.s. air show circuit. i don't care how slow it flies!!!
Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:45 pm
I just noticed something in the second picture provided.
Is the airplane's tail tied down to a clever little hidden tie down point? It almost looks like it's normally covered by a "man-hole" type cover.
clever idea, but isn't that a lot of work for such a small benefit.
-David
Is the airplane's tail tied down to a clever little hidden tie down point? It almost looks like it's normally covered by a "man-hole" type cover.
clever idea, but isn't that a lot of work for such a small benefit.
-David
Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:16 am
Yes she was tied down - always a precaution during high-power ground runs. Rather safe than sorry.
Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:35 am
daveymac82c wrote:....looks like it's normally covered by a "man-hole" type cover.
clever idea, but isn't that a lot of work for such a small benefit.
Ummm..no...you use an existing drain to hold 'er down. If you rip the drain outta the ground,
well then..you have one helluva Pegasus!!
Wish I was there!
