Originally Posted by
happybiker
I worked at Field Aircraft Services (FAS) EMA from 1973 and at that time they were involved in bringing the Viscount 814 series ex Lufthansa aircraft onto the UK register. FAS held CAA design approval and their design office produced numerous modifications for the BMA Viscount fleet.
FAS were also involved in re sparring a number of Viscounts and during such work the staff was much increased by the use of contractors. I recall one occasion when a hapless contractor fell from the wing of a Viscount in the hangar and broke his leg. The hangar manager was summoned to assess the situation and his instructions were, first to clock the unfortunate guy out and then to summon an ambulance to get him fixed up. Those were the days!
Were the main spar(s) a fatigue weak spot on the Viscount? I seem to recall re-sparing was common.
(and did you own a Triumph 500 circa 1979? Fields' place was close to my dad's BMA MT workshop, and I recall a very tidy one passing daily)