Hi Blodwyn,
Without wishing to set myself up as any kind of 'official spokesman', may I apologise for the lack of updates recently on the websites. This has been mainly due to the fact that a new single website, which covers both the old TVOC and Vulcan To The Sky Club websites, has been in the process of development. This is now all in place and thankfully now gives the staff at Bruntingthorpe control over website content and updates, meaning that we, the engineers can now directly update the site as to the current progress of 558's restoration. This was an aspect that was sadly lacking in both the previous versions of the website.
On an engineering progress front, as BEags says, work is progressing very well, despite some minor setbacks with obtaining components and spares which were previously sent away to the OEM's for refurbishment. Unfortunately, the work going on at the minute is of a very 'non glamorous' nature and really quite repetitive. Although the aircraft looks externally identical, it is worth remembering that under the skin, she is practically brand new, with around 80% of her system pipework (Hyds, Oxy, Pneumatic, Air Con, Fire Ext) having been replaced with brand new parts. Also, there is a vast amount of electrical cabling which has required replacement with many new looms having to be made and fitted.
Since Roll-Out, the aircraft has been returned to the hangar, whereupon the undercarriage, canopy and radome were again removed for access, and work could begin. Mod 2222, the 'beefing up' of the rear spar, is now physically complete and the associated trestling will be removed in the first weeks of Jan. This will then permit us unrestricted access to the engine bays, to prepare for engine fitment. This should happen around the middle of February, once all work has been completed in the actual engine bay itself. The fuel tanks are being fitted as they return to the hangar, with No's 2, 5, and 7: Port and Stb'd, now installed. We are quite literally waiting on FPT to return the remainder, so we can wrap up the fuel system.
Corrosion control has been a fairly large part of our work to date, with a large number of repairs having been necessary to remove it. We are now, happily, on the last phase of this, with the removal of corrosion from the upper wing stringers, in the area of the U/C bays. This has required the de-skinning of parts of the upper wing surface and the replacement of a stringer itself. Hopefully this work should be finally complete around the end of February.
On an Electrical front, Enhanced Wiring Inspections are now complete for both wings. Re-Wiring has also progressed well, with the Port Undercarriage Bay now complete, and the Starboard Undercarriage Bay around 2/3 complete. The AAPP is re-wired and the leckies are in the process of tidying the looms. Cockpit work continues, with the final layout of the instruments now approaching a decision!!
Overall, this has been an incredibly busy time, for what has been of late a very small team of engineers. The workload is set to get even higher in the coming New Year, as the deadlines for the Falklands Parade and the 2007 Display season approaches, however, it is a time that we are all very much looking forward to, as we all have a burning desire to get the aircraft in the air, in time to lead the parade down the Mall on 17th June.
Unfortunately, any queries or issues with Pledges, or admin aspects of the project are well outside my remit as an engineer, however, I am more than happy to try and answer any questions you may have, and keep you all as up to speed as possible. Hopefully this will be made easier by the fact that we are now able to update the website ourselves,
http://www.tvoc.co.uk
Flipflopman