Compass change for Lindy!

The Smiths Military Flight System (MFS)  Beam compass for the co-pilot's position failed several years ago and as it is 'type specific' for the Victor K2. I found it impossible to locate the correct one.and so I had to replace it with a Vulcan B2 version which is a Type B. The Victor is modified up to Type C. They are externally identical to each other but with some differing operations . I was lucky to be able to finally locate a correct and unused Type C at Newark Aerojumble and so team member Tom Winter (ex-55 Squadron INSTIE) changed it last Sunday and it is fully serviceable and the system fully working.

A new Basket for Lindy!

In December I asked a question to a friend at Cobham Aviation, formerly Flight Refueling Ltd about the possible chances of replacing some of the Air to Air Refueling kit fitted to the Victor, if anything suitable was available.

Luckily, I was offered a serviceable Mk17B Hose Drum Unit basket which is actually a Victor one and which we soon eagerly went to collect from Cobham Aviation!

This will soon be replacing the one currently installed in the bombay in XL231. In the main due to the fact that during service some of the basket spokes were bent during a bad contact with a receiver aircraft. The damage is commonly known as being 'spoked'.

Auxiliary Power Unit fuel valve

Artouste Auxiliary Power Unit fuel solenoid valve

After numerous unexpected shutdowns of the APU over recent years it was deduced that the valve which controls the fuel supply for starting and running the APU was sticking. Several attempts at repairing the valve have met with limited success so I decided to look at replacing the valve as a 'New Years Resolution!'.  Obviously, with 1960's era equipment its difficult to locate a replacement so, I decided to go for a modern equivalent. A commercially available valve used in domestic fuel oil heating systems! In fact some fuel oil is reclaimed jet fuel.  A couple of replacement adaptors were required because the original valve had male threaded adaptors and the new valve had female threads and this required a bit of homework. Anyway the end result is ready to fit back in for testing and wirelocking in place.

New valve fitted and the old valve shown for comparison

Autopilot Parts Replacement

Due to the complexities and age of the systems in the Victor, things naturally cause problems and minor 'irritations'. One such item is the Mk10B Autopilot's power supply Torque Switch. This has been a problem on and off for many years and it was only very recently that I managed to source an 'as new item'. I'm pleased to say that it all works fine once again!  We all know that its unlikely that the autopilot will ever be used in 'anger' again but, we like everything to work to as near operational status as possible.  

Mk10 B Autopilot power supplies control 

New and old torque switches

55 Squadron Reunion gathering

A number of ex-Victor personnel attended the reunion on the 13th September, organised by ex-55 Sqn member Tom Winter and many new contacts were made.  All seemed happy with what they saw and heard and the day generally was a success.

It is hoped that a larger gathering will be arranged for next year and all who attended left Elvington with a lot of nostalgia. From our point of view it was comforting to know that we had not disappointed them and they all seemed impressed.

XL231 Lusty Lindy, Victor Tanker reunion Engine Run 12th September 2015

More parts for Lindy!

This weeks visit to see Mr J Birkett of Birketts Radio & Surplus in Lincoln yielded a good 'haul' of Victor K2 compatible parts. Essential to help keep XL231 in fully working order and it comprised of the following; 

3x TACAN Transmitter/ Receivers (the large square boxes)

3x MV electrical Frequency meters for the AEO panel

2x Main engine jet pipe temperature indicators 

1x Main engine oil pressure indicator

1x Fuel gauge amplifier

1x Altimeter Pressure Error Corrector Unit

Some of the above items are not essential as XL231 is not flying but as an 'Historical Object' We prefer as much as possible to be kept in fully working order and XL231 is the ONLY totally complete example of her breed left.