Sorry long time no see/hear bit the old blik brains has been playing
up again.
April 08 (I think)
Since Robert has been re-deployed not a lot has happened on the project.
During the past week we were able to achieve some progress.
On Wednesday with the help of WO Mies Bekker, some of his blokes and
the appies we were able to flip the starboard wing over.
While the appies were available (the instructor was sick and I
managed to get hold of Robert for the day) we tasked some of them also
on Wednesday to give the portside of the fuselage a once over with WO1
acid and before Robert gave it a spray over with clear coat.
On Friday again with the appies the roundel and the fin flash
on the portside were marked out. Robert gave them a lick of white paint
and showed one or two appies how to spray paint. While we were busy we
had a visit from Brig General Page and several Honorary Colonels. This
party was shown as to our progress and they also inspected other aircraft
in the hangar. I was told later by Chris that these distinguished officers
were very impressed with out project.
Saturday saw about 12 bods available, sorry I forgot to take
note of all present but if my memory serves me the was the following were
present; Dave Digi, Dave Jag, Bill, Doc Ian, Norman the elder, Norman the
younger, Peter, Rory, Bernard, Beverly and one or two others. Sorry If
I forgot names.
There was quite a bit of work to be done. The bods got busy on
paint stripping the stbd upper wing surface, the last big paint strip job.
After finding the missing seat belts, Doc Ian and Norman the elder
spent their morning fitting them in the passenger compartment.
Dave Digi and Bosun Bill were given the tasks of fitting the port
wing fillet. Dave reconnected a vent pipe before the job began. Many screws
were sourced and the duo managed to strike another job off.
Norman the younger and Dave Jag focused on the nose section in front
of the windshield. A lot of work was needed before the area could be prepared
for painting. Before knock off they had managed to get the painting done.
As Robert had applied white paint to the port insignia markings,
under my direction Bev took on the job of masking ready for a coat of blue
paint. When completed Dave Jag came along and duly applied the paint.
As far as we can foresee, the aircraft will not be ready for flight
status before AAD in September, so we decided to fit the aft flight controls
to make her look better and also solve a storage problem.
Once Bill and Dave were done on the fillet job they and a few other
bods fitted the rudder and elevators.
Another job I want to get done soon is to put a small bit of fuel
into the tanks (800 liters) to check for leaks and then the stress panels
can go back on and she can come off jacks and be taken outside in to the
sunshine in all her shining glory!!
Continuation
12 April A good turn out this week.
We have three new members, Bev, a friend of Dave Digi, Reggi who is
a movie set technician (he was involved in the filming of the commercial
on our aircraft) and Capt Grant Willcox a C47-TP pilot on 35 Squadron (+/-
1000hrs). Grant is dead keen to fly the Harvard and in time, our own aircraft.
Bill, Dave Digi and myself tackled the job of installing the cylinder
that had been removed from the starboard engine. With a bit of huffing
and puffing we managed to get the cylinder refitted. Others gave a bit
of effort on this job as one needs very small hands in some places to install
the washers and nuts. We had Bev and Grant try .Next week we will be able
to torque the flange nuts down – or try to.
Work continued on the starboard wing paint stripping on the upper
surface until the supply of paint stripper was exhausted.
Doc Ian and Norman the elder continued fitting the windows to
the port side not having sufficient screw the put a token amount in each
window to hold each in place. These will have to be inspected to ensure
that all screw have been installed correctly before that job can be certified.
Bev, myself and Reggi worked on the roundel on the port side.
Robert had painted the white bit on a Friday then Dave painted the blue
the next day and now a week later in the absence of Dave Reggi painted
the orange ‘bokkie.
The following week:
During this week I removed the masking from the port roundel,
we made the mistake of leaving the masking on too long. What happened was
that the paint had hardened (as it is supposed to) and when I removed the
tape some of the paint had chipped away leaving gaps in the finish and
also a ridge where the tape had been. I was tempted to paint strip the
roundel and start again but with the advice from Mies we decided to rather
fix it. This job was allocated to Bev and Reggi.
I was also involved with the crew of Marco and Dupie who traveled
from SAAF Museum Pretoria to service the two Harvard aircraft. We spent
the week servicing, refueling and ground running both. Both aircraft need
a test flight after new flight controls had been fitted but when the pilot
was available on Friday the Cape weather with it’s true sense of humor
turned nasty so no flying was possible.
Saturday 19 April dawned miserable and wet with a cold front
passing by the Cape.
Initially we were thin on the ground with Darrell, Dave Jag, Grant,
Norman the Elder, Doc Ian, Reggi, Dave Digi, Bev, and the 3 youngsters
present. Bosun Bill arrived a bit later followed by Rory. If I forgot anybody,
please accept my most humble.
Reggi and Bev worked all morning on the roundel on the port side.
Reggi will airbrush the art work to a fine finish.
Doc Ian and Norman the Elder armed with some more screws, completed
the task of installing the windows on the port side.
Dave Digi and Grant were given the job of removing a plate from the
port wing attachment joint on the centre wing section to give the sheeties
space in which to work.
Bill, assisted by Dave Digi, and Grant tackled the task of torquing
down the cylinder flange nuts.
Dave Jag gave the top surfaces of the elevators a coat of aluminum paint.
This only for cosmetic purposes as these will be replaced before we can
fly.
The tail cone was then fitted and the control locks installed. The Dak
looks just great!!
The gang under Darrell completed paint stripping of the starboard wing.
Next week they will spend their time in removing any traces of primer.
On the following work party we plan to give the wing the acid treatment,
wash off and apply clear coat. To achieve this in one morning Dave Jag
and Reggi will do the spraying with two spray guns. The week thereafter
Its the turn of Reggi and Bev to apply the roundel after which we will
be finished with the wing. The sheeties can then finish off their jobs
and the wings will then need the machinists to work on the waffle plates
after which they can be fitted to the aircraft.
Next week will be a normal work party but the following weekend we will
not be working.
This project is sponsored by the South African Aviation Foundation.
For any queries regarding this project, or the SA Aviation Foundation,
please
email us.
