Fuel Flowmeters

A very satisfying result from quite a bit of perseverance resulted in a totally serviceable fuel flowmeter in XL231. The original proved unreliable, sometimes showing odd flow rates. The rate is calculated via 'windmill' transmitters in the fuel line of each engine supply circuit and then calculated and totaled.

Ken Sanderson; aka 'Radio Ken' and his colleague Terry took 3 Fuel Flowmeter computers including XL231's original and made one good one out of the 3. They tested each radio valve and ensured only the good one's were installed in the best unit. Their time and effort has paid off as each one showed the fuel flow rate at engine idle on last Sunday's 'Thunder Day' at the Museum and the totaled amount is also correct on the totaliser gauge next to the flowmeter controller. This was also recently replaced. None of this is required for what we do with XL231 but, we like to keep her as correctly working as she was in RAF service and for historical purposes.

Engines 1,2,3,4 all individually pictured.

Well done Ken and Terry!

Servicing August 2016

Servicing work on XL231 continues. Sticking gauges, caused by a lack of use are a bit of an irritation and occasionally some of them have to be removed for servicing. The recent one's are the engine oil pressure gauges for No's 1 and No's 2 engines. These are sticking above zero in an un-powered condition and should fall below zero without power so, they have been removed for the internal mechanisms cleaning. A simple enough job to do but one that has to be done carefully. In addition the No2 engine  Kilowatt power meter from the AEO's main panel has been removed due to the glass being loose and jamming the needle. All three gauges have been replaced with serviceable spare units in the meantime.