RR Griffon 65

[FAStoat]

The Single Shaft Reduction Gear Conversion was in fact achieved by a Superb Brilliant Bespoke Mustang and Merlin Rebuilder-Dave Zeutchell.In the middle 70s,he came over with Lloyd Hamilton to look at and maybe buy some of Doug Arnold's stock of recently acquired Warbirds.At the same time Ormand Haydon Baillie had found and bought a stack of derelict Griffon Spits from India.Spencer Flack was rebuilding at his home near Radlett,a Mk14.At that time BBMF had spare Griffons,but the RNHF Firefly was a very cobbled together 74/66 as I seem to remember,which imposed severe Boost limitations!All parties together with a Strike Command 2 ringer from PropEng Propulsion4,formed a steering committee to discuss the lack of suitable engines.Only the RR Mk14 had good life left,but was to end its days later at Woodford.Dave Zeutchell offered to build a prototype single shaft reduction gear conversion for the 57 and 58 Shack Griffons of which there were plenty.Enter Tony Harold,from the RAF Museum,who found at Farnborough and also Bedford that the Wind Tunnels were so powered and had amassed enough spares to power them for ages.Thus a plentiful supply was extant.RNHF Tasked Chief Ron Gourlay to fit a 58 Griffon dummy into the spare Firefly fuselage in the Museum,with Chief" Greenie"Slim Hewitt,to make up the loom required for Electrics and Ignition.A prototype was produced by late 70s and Johnny Jones and Johnny Danes from Rolls Royce Bristol Heritage Engines at Filton,did various Destruction Tests after which Zeutchell produced conversions were offered for the Mod Approval,then CAA Approval followed having had the RR Approval.Early 80s this was achieved and the Flack Mk14 flew with Ray Hanna in the Biggin Hill Airshow.Meanwhile Dave was killed in a F86,and Ormand was killed in his Cavalier P51 I-BILL,Lloyd died with a large scotch in his hotel,having left the Airlines and joined Frank Sanders(Also killed in a T33 later) with the Modded Sea Furies,now racing his A26.Tony Harold was killed later in a Nieuport,so very few are still around who were involved with the Flying and Restoration of these aeroplanes.However everyone operating these Engines today,owe a debt of gratitude to these dedicated people,who are sadly no longer with us.It is very likely NO One in this day and age has ever heard of how it was achieved,let alone these names.