T-33 Annual Inspection

[T33driver]

I also love these kinds of posts--it's always interesting to see what goes into maintaining the planes!
An observation--it appears that the intakes for the engine do not actually seal to the engine, but just blow air into the engine bay? I'm used to seeing axial flow engines with sealed intake ducts.......

Rod,

Correct on the intake air flow. The Nene 10 has a dual entry centrifugal compressor. During taxi and takeoff/landing with speeds below 150 kts, there are two spring loaded plenum chamber doors on top of the fuselage that open from suction in order to feed the engine ample intake air at low speeds so it doesn't suffer a compressor stall (a disruption of smooth airflow in the compressor section). As the airplane accelerates on takeoff, they close automatically. You can see the plenum chamber doors sprung open just aft of the cockpit/canopy on top of the fuselage in the photo below:

[tailhook]

Glad to see '579 is still around and kicking!
The last time I saw her, she was on the ramp at Mountainview.

Craig

[sdennison]

I also love these kinds of posts--it's always interesting to see what goes into maintaining the planes!
An observation--it appears that the intakes for the engine do not actually seal to the engine, but just blow air into the engine bay? I'm used to seeing axial flow engines with sealed intake ducts.......

Rod,

Correct on the intake air flow. The Nene 10 has a dual entry centrifugal compressor. During taxi and takeoff/landing with speeds below 150 kts, there are two spring loaded plenum chamber doors on top of the fuselage that open from suction in order to feed the engine ample intake air at low speeds so it doesn't suffer a compressor stall (a disruption of smooth airflow in the compressor section). As the airplane accelerates on takeoff, they close automatically. You can see the plenum chamber doors sprung open just aft of the cockpit/canopy on top of the fuselage in the photo below:

What a great friggin picture. Waukesha Warbirds!

[John Dupre]

I once drove past a Canadian T-33 while it was starting up with external powe connected. There was a distinct rythmic thumping kind of noise going on. No one in the ground or flight crew seemed disturbed by it. What would cause that and is it typical?

[T33driver]

I once drove past a Canadian T-33 while it was starting up with external powe connected. There was a distinct rythmic thumping kind of noise going on. No one in the ground or flight crew seemed disturbed by it. What would cause that and is it typical?

With the strong electric boost provided by a ground power unit assisted start, the "rumble" is normal and happens in higher density altitude conditions i.e. high field elevation and/or hot climate. The rumble is the sound of inadequate/turbulent airflow through the compressor section, the first stage of the suck/compress, burn, blow jet engine combustion process. If doing a self-start, the rumble can also be caused or worsened if the aircraft's batteries are weak.

[henning]

Hi scott, paul,
Greetings from Denver... (This week...)
Great pics there.. great thread and writeup as well.. so how's it coming along now? all back together?
Love the pics of the engine work and having it all apart. Hope that all worked out well.
Have to see if you guys are around next week.... we're overdue for a beer.

take care,

Henning

[gary1954]

Paul, are the burner cans interchangeable to any position or order? this is a great thread man, great!

[T33driver]

Paul, are the burner cans interchangeable to any position or order? this is a great thread man, great!

Gary,

Burner cans #1 and #5 are the only ones with the igniter assembly, are interchangable but have a different part number. Burner cans #2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are interchangable and do NOT have the igniter assembly.

[gary1954]

Cool, I was wondering how many cans had igniters in them and the interchangeability. Thanks for the reply.

[Jack Cook]

Great stuff Paul! Looking forward to seeing the flying shots!!

[T33driver]

Great stuff Paul! Looking forward to seeing the flying shots!!

Thanks Jack! Hoping to have the jet all put back together and flying by the end of this week!

[Franklin]

I concur with Jack, great thread Paul. looking great. BTW some dude who's old man used to fly Navy way way back says 'Hi'