Warbird Information Exchange

Here's the last run of Feb. 14th...
We did the high RPM run up until the sky and the external oil filter started leaking!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3itm7PNjC9A

Will check with the PX to see about Big TR T-shirts of the olden style.

SPANNER

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Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

Now that's what we in Texas call a "Gullywasher"...

Great to see that you guys got to put some power on the fire before it opened up.

What was wrong towards the end when the chap was pointing excitedly and wanting the engine shutdown?

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Cheers,
Peter

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My guess is that's when their external oil cooler failed. But this is a good reason to have a "long line" for communication during such engine runs. Just a thought.

Gary

I'm just curious....what's with the tiny four blade prop on the engine test?

I debated with myself as to whether to publish this run.
But I want my people to watch the video, read your comments and learn.
IF WE AND ANY OTHER OPERATORS LEARN ANYTHING FROM THIS THAT PREVENTS AN ACCIDENT I WILL PUT IT OUT THERE AND TAKE MY LUMPS!!!
Many things went on during that last test run that need reviewing and improving before the next run.

The first run of the day we had radios. And we actually had the hand signals worked out.
And we actually had a Ground MArshall who was assigned that duty and they were not supposed to wander off.
The second run the engine was started while I was still in the plane.
And then whoever was supposed to be marshalling wandered off.
The third run I kept a perfectly good P61 veteran from getting whacked by a prop prior to engine start. No harm, no foul!
Then when I did give the signal to CUT IT OFF someone in the cockpit decided to have a debate over how long the MO wanted the third run to last.
The hand across the neck was supposed to signify STOP RIGHT NOW!
This will be gone over again before the next run.
The Ground Marshall visually monitoring the systems should have the veto power on calling stop.
The pilot has the option to stop BEFORE then, if instruments are indicating problems and the guy on the ground can have it "splained" later why.
BUT IF THE GROUND MARSHALL IS FRANTICALLY SAWING ACROSS HIS THROAT IT AIN'T OPEN TO DEBATE!

Gary read it right... the external oil filter had an O-ring let go.
The cockpit crew could not see that from inside the plane.
If it had been on the oil feed side we might have fried an engine.
AGAIN... the pilot saw the signal but decided to engage in a debate until the MO came up the hatch and told him to shut her down.

I am surprised no one has commented on the near prop miss prior to start up.
That is why the PROP CLEAR confirmation is necessary for large aircraft.
We did that, but it could have been easy to miss with all the Looky Lous milling around.

Why the test club??? is... that it looks so cute... But really it saves time on the Hamilton Standards... And it doesn't generate the thrust that the big prop would.
Yes we know we will have to put the real props on to cycle the governors, but these test runs are to determine if we have any bearings or other parts "making metal" and if we DID and we had the real Hamilton Standards on, then we would have to send them off to be cleaned and re yellow-tagged.
I know a bunch of experts may disagree with this, but hey... sometimes one has to do what one thinks is the most prudent.

SPANNER

_________________
Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

The Crew Chief(in this case MO) on the ground knows best! Remind them of this- and let them know you won't let them play with your airplane if they won't pay attention to your signals!

If I signal an engine cut, they BEST cut that engine!

Robbie
KC-10A Crew Chief

I fully agree with the above!
The marshaller on the ground has a much better view of a running engine for leaks etc etc and if he sees something wrong it is his job to order the engine shutdown immediately. Luckily in this case there was no damage done to the engine!

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Cheers,
Peter

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That would happen on most any start up. 99% of the time the pilot MIGHT look at the marshaller when he calls clear and never look at him again, even start his taxi roll 5 minutes later and not look up. I have seen this too many times to think it will ever change. A three year old child could go running out to the plane and the pilots would never see or look to the marshaller for any indication, or the engine be on fire (even if the pilot knew what the signal was) or a bunch of other things that only the guy on the ground can help him with. Having a herd of people around don't help either. I know they all worked on it and want to be a part, but there should be only two people on the ground, the marshaller and fire guard. Glad everything turned out OK and hope the next run goes better. Wayne the safety guru.

Ober said



ABSOLUTELY correct. If no other learning was taken from the run let that be it. It's not a popular rule to enforce, but if that continues someone is going to get hurt. Required crew only should be allowed in the area. Just make sure you set the camera up Don before the next run so we can backseat quarterback again

BTW, when you find those old TR tshirts you just sold 2 more of them (XL).

Chunks

Well my right hand looks like I've been fighting with the cat, but ALL the throttle and mixture linkages are cleaned, painted, lubricated, bolted up, torqued, and cotter pinned on Engine #1.

The test club should be migrating over to #1 even as I type and if we are lucky we will see how it runs this Saturday.

Sure wish we had the orange shirts from LSFM or Kathy Mizzelle (sp?) and her crew to help Marshall, but at least I have a standard to shoot for.


I am also putting out a request on the warbird jungle drums for...
A brake cylinder for the toe brakes for the B17.
One of ours has a spring that was rusted in place and it broke.


SPANNER

_________________
Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

A bit more detail on the brake part that I'm looking for:
Brake metering valve
BAC P/N: 3-9584-4 or -5

See #12 in this picture


As Don mentioned, our whole maintenance crew is working around the clock for our engine #1 start on Saturday. Wish us luck!

Onward --- and on schedule!
-David Carr

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B-17 Texas Raiders --- Maintenance Officer

Learning from our dousing last week, we stayed inside today until after all the storms passed through. I guess, good things come to those who wait because we had a really good couple of runs on #1.

She fired right up with very little smoke and a nice clean exhaust. It was a cool day, so it took a while to get the oil up to temperature, but that also meant that we were able to run 5-10 minutes at 30" / 2300rpm and only reach an oil temp of 155F. The usual video and pictures will follow soon.

Three down, one to go!
-David Carr

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B-17 Texas Raiders --- Maintenance Officer

OKEY DOKEY. Engine #1 first start up and high speed run.

Much better methodolgy and Safety Procedures and general coordination this past weekend.
I will entertain you wonderful whacky WIXites first with photos.
(The video is capturing and will follow as the workload allows.)
First off helmets were offered to all! Some like meself actually availed ourselves. I and some others had hearing protection, which proved adequate for the low speed runs but nowhere near up to the job for the high speed run. I am looking for my shooting muffs that can swivel so I can STILL wear the helmet. The potential prospect of hot oil or flying bits anywhere near my noggin makes me want the brain bucket.

The run itself... the engine took probably the longest to start BUT was the cleanest and smoothest run of the three.



Our stalwart cockpit crew for this run.

Actual first belching start-up. THIS is clean compared to engines 3 and 4.
All these photos by Col. Kevin Hong
Film at 6!

_________________
Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Gmd4tDJIA

The Youtube video is actually the second run.
The run lasted longer than the 10 minute video limit on Youtube would let me publish but I think you get the idea.

The first start was brief and cut short so we could cinch the strapping on the external oil cooler and filters.

This engine (Number 1) ran the best of the the three we have tested so far, with less oil burned at every stage, smoother and less leaks.

I cannot thank the CAF volunteers enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPANNER

_________________
Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.