Hello WIXers,
According to the dates on my Photobucket files, it was twenty-three weeks ago that I started this thread, with the promise that at the end, we'd have airworthy airplane with two running engines to show for it.
That day is finally here.
Boy, is it nice to type those words, and post that picture. It's been a long, and difficult road, getting to this point with ol' Hot Stuff, but here we are. I am so proud of our little maintenance crew. There's been a lot of adversity to overcome, but our guys and girls stepped up and did what needed to be done, every time. Even when it took a twelve-hour workday that left 'em staggering off the ramp in exhaustion--which pretty well describes yesterday's effort--there they were, making it happen. Words just cannot express the admiration I feel for all these selfless, dedicated folks.
Both engines ran well and sounded fine, but I have to tell you, that new one is a peach. Anderson Airmotive did a tremendous job on that thing, from all appearances. Started so easy, barely threw so much as a drop of oil nor a puff of smoke. We have a couple glitches to address on the plane--it looks like our battery has finally given up the ghost, and will need to be replaced, and the LH primer solenoid wants some tinkering--but really, we're into routine-maintenance land from here on out, it sure looks like. That kind of stuff is normal life in Harpoon Land. That battery, though--there's an expense we really didn't need right now. But you've got to have a battery that will deliver electrons, and ours no longer wishes to do so. They don't last forever, after all.
There was a lot happening, leading up to the climactic engine runs, and plenty that bears description. So let's move on to the tale of the day, shall we?
It was an early start, because there was so much to do. I'm often leery of setting too aggressive a schedule, of making the goals too ambitious, because you know how repeatedly missing the mark can wear down peoples' morale. This means that I sometimes do more to put the brakes on than to get people going, which can be frustrating for some, I know--we have no shortage of go-getters in this group. But this time, there was a big plateful of stuff needing to be done, and no mistake, and the go-getters had all they could handle, and then some.
First thing: get that right engine put back together and ready to run. Plugs, plug wires, cowl flaps, and myriad small details.
There's the right-engine crew: Machine Shop Gaylon led that effort. Hot Rod Steve is up there helping install cowl flaps, while Rich No. 1 (the Official Dad of IndyJen) is underneath, installing plugs and hooking up plug leads.
There's the old man again, who I'll tell you, in sports parlance, there's a guy who just left it all on the field. One of the first to come, one of the last to leave, and he was dragging when he left, too, but he got it done. One of the great things about this latest engine change is that Dad's really gotten involved with the group. He's become one of the regulars, and you can count on him to be there week in and week out. He's become a really valuable part of the maintenance force. I just purely love having him out there.
In the background of that first pic is Rich No. 2, who put in a maximum effort on the ground power cart, but still would jump up at a moment's notice to lend a hand anywhere else he was needed.
There's the cart, which was a project Rich no. 2 and Hot Rod Steve have primarily been working on. They have sunk a huge effort and considerable cash getting that thing going again, with only a couple weeks to do it, too. Another example of big effort, great dedication, and all in a very quiet way, too--no fanfare with these guys, although if I had my way, there'd be a parade for 'em.
Scotty there in the pic, who's one of our co-pilots, flies international freight, and can understandably only come out when he's in the western hemisphere, but he has a big impact when he's there.
There he is, working on settling up matters in the LH leading edge. We pulled both the inboard LE's to check control runs and fluid connections. Scotty has a good eye for catching inspection discrepancies, and did a good conscientious job. He also joined PJ and me in the wheel well, were we were having a heck of a time getting hoses reconnected to the repaired fuel flow control valve. Scotty came, saw, and conquered, with both muscle and ingenuity: you're the man, Scotty!
You can just see PJ's legs, there, as she's perched on the main wheel, working on that valve. She's a small package, but feisty, and the very soul of dedication when it comes to this plane--a fount of historical knowledge, and puts in more wrench-turning hours than anyone else, hands down. I think I've previously mentioned that we often call on her when we need someone to get into tiny spaces. She's all business, that one, and there's no quit in her.
There's Long Tall Glen, another one I can't see how we could do without. He's one of two guys who were one day from their PV-2 type rating checkride when the old left engine crapped out. A homebuilder--RV-8--and extremely knowledgeable guy, possessed of a real craftsman's ethic. He's finishing the sheetmetal work in the tail, there, a project that's been ongoing for months.
The other guy who was 24 hours from type rating was Barnstormer Joe, another big heart in a small package. He was on the road flying, and his wife, President Penny, was out of town to meet up with him. Penny has been a miracle worker. We would have been on the auction block long since without her. If you see Hot Stuff flying through your skies in days to come, you may know that Penny had as much to do with that as anyone. You'll see those two pictured next week, most likely; they ought to be back by then.
Meanwhile, back in the office, is Roy the electrical guru and John P., our marketing guy. A number of these pics are courtesy of John, and Roy is a man who's really good to have on the team, as he has major-league skills when it comes to electrical and electronic work. He kept B-52 wiring up to snuff in days gone by.
There's Hot Rod Steve and Machine Shop Gaylon during a rare break. These were few and brief on Saturday.
Finally, as the day wore on, we got to the point where a certain person, who writes these missives, ceased despairing of ever starting an engine, because one team after another began reporting "ready to go." Here's the left side being buttoned up, because we've transferred fuel into the left inboard and run pumps, and by golly, that flow control valve didn't leak a drop.
Pull 'em through, and preoil both side, and finally, around 5:30 p.m., it's time. We chose to start No. 2 first.
There she is, lighting off. A smoky start; the engine had some oil in the collector ring after the pull-through. It's not unusual, after it's sat for a while without running, for the initial start to make Mount Comfort Airport IFR for a few minutes! That'll blow a lot of oil onto the gear doors and such, too. Subsequent starts were clean and not-smoky.
After the temps came up and the oil pressure dropped, and No. 2 was idling good, came the long-awaited First Start of the new No. 1 engine. No smoke, maybe a couple drops of oil, which among R-2800's, is the same as "Operating Room Clean." Well I never. It was a beautiful thing, let me tell you.
There they are, both fans turning. That's PJ in the escape hatch, the normal position for our crew chiefs (3rd crew member) when on the ground. It was a warm day, and that was probably the most comfortable seat in the house. I bet her thumbs got tired from signaling me "thumbs up" throughout this evolution. Mine sure were, from returning the signals.
There's a look at our ground-crew configuration for the run: me out front, communicating with the crew; observers/fire guards at each wingtip, keeping an eye out for leaks, smoke, flames, and other dire occurrences, none of which ever transpired. Rich No. 2 ran the power cart, and Rich No. 1 and John P. took photos and movies. I'll post up links to the movies once I've gotten them from Dad. I can hardly wait.
At the end of the day--the bitter end of a totally not-bitter day--there were only three. It's 10:30 p.m. or so in this pic, and we exhausted ones are just sitting out on the calm quiet ramp, drinking our celebratory beverages, looking at a real live airworthy Harpoon. We were so bone-tired, it was a quiet celebration, but the engines had already made all the noise that needed to be made.
A good day.
Till next time,
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Look forward to airborne pics...once again WELL DONE!!
