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Old 5th Feb 2019, 19:00
  #892 (permalink)  
Tengah Type
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: S W France
Age: 80
Posts: 261
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Sandiego89 # 883

The Flight Refuelling Mk 20 AAR pod was designed as an underwing store to be carried by Royal Navy aircraft such as Buccaneer, Sea Vixen and Scimitar for Buddy-Buddy refuelling. To this end it was mainly a self-contained unit, carried on a drop tank pylon, and requiring minimal input from the host aircraft. 28v DC, Air Pressure and of course a fuel supply. The Air Pressure was to pass the fuel back to the host aircraft for its own use.

On the Victor the pod was filled from the main aircraft fuel system at normal Booster Pump pressure and could be isolated from the main system. The pod was normally kept full in flight to assist with wing relief (empty for Take Off and Landing). It was possible to jettison fuel (used to "Mark" to give a visible vapour trail to assist with visual RVs) or in emergency. The fuel in the pod was usually recycled with the main supply to reduce cold-soak which could be harmful to some receivers.

The main motive power to the pod was provided by a Ram Air Turbine on the front of the pod. This drove the Hydraulic system which held a "Balanced Hose" during refuelling or to wind the hose in after use. The RAT also ran the internal fuel pump when passing fuel. This was controlled by the electrical system and was activated automatically by microswitches after the receiver aircraft had made contact and pushed the hose in 6-7 feet, and also switched on the Green Light.

The fuel tank contained 3 Float Switches, The High Level float switch shut off the fuel supply into the pod. If the pod fuel tank emptied the Low Level float switch cut the fuel pump. When the fuel tank was half full the Mid Level float switch put the pump on again .

I will add the caveat that this is all from memory. I have not operated the pod since 1971, or flown with it since 1982. My Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll lifestyle may have impaired my memory. Mind you these days the drugs are Viagra to assist with the first part of the lifestyle, and the Rock and Roll is my gait after the obligatory nightly litre (liter) of Rose.

If any ex-Victor Nav Rad has any corrections to make, feel free, I will not be upset or insult you.
I will now end and let the kiddies squabble amongst themselves
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