It makes you wonder what the MOD support contract was that was in place, for the aircraft I maintain you pay for the manuals and all updates, service bulletins etc, the only things you do not need to pay for are Airworthiness Directives which come from the CAA, FAA etc.
I do wonder if the contract was all embracing, that could account for the RAF not getting some of the documentation other forces appear to have received.
Civi street wise we always replace lock nuts with new, RAF wise we used to check for run down torque resistance, you can measure that on a torque wrench..
As for a shouldered bolt, there might have been good reasons, such as the reduced diameter threaded portion if the bolt was shouldered not being of sufficient strength so as to not fail in the case of an ejection, and the main shank of the bolt not having sufficient clearance in the shackle for its diameter to be increased.
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Last edited by NutLoose; 30th Sep 2016 at 09:19.