Rolls Royce Avon question...

[John Hill]

Someone must know how to take an Avon apart!

Our aviation musuem has a very sad looking RR Avon which we would like to put on display. We could scrub it up, treat the rust and a lick of paint.

However some of us would like to be a bit more ambitious and hope to open the engine up to show the insides.

I have searched for information but I cant find information on how to dismantle the engine. For example although it appears the 'top' half of the primpary compressor could just be unbolted and lifted out I see other references which tend to indicate these engines are dismantled by standing them face down on a rubber pad and I assume taking bits off from the rear end.

Please, does anyone know how to open one of these by non-distructive means?

Thanks

[NutLoose]

The ones we had were horizontal with the tops off as training aids, John register here and ask, some of these guys look after the running Lightnings at Bruntingthorpe

Historic Aviation - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums (http://forum.keypublishing.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4)

[John Hill]

Thanks Nutloose, I have posted there too on the Historic Aviation forum.

John:ok:

[NutLoose]

These guys have been doing the odd engine too, they might have one.

Newcastle Aviation Academy Restorations - Page 5 - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums (http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=104417&page=5)

[John Hill]

Thanks for that, I must study that topic! They made a nice job of that Nene(?), I think we have one of those under a pile of dead helicopters in a storage hangar. If the Avon is out of scope we might try the Nene (or maybe both).

[NutLoose]

Normal builds we're done vertically etc, but seem to remember you could split the case on the Avon, but it was a lifetime ago I did my training on them, I did take a sledgehammer etc to a load of Servicable Avons the RAF were scrapping at the time to render them unusable... :(

[ironchefflay]

you could always contact rolls wood group or the like, they still use avons as industrlial turbines. they might be able to help with info on Aero Avons

[John Hill]

I have sent a number of emails to firms advertising for repair and maintenance of these engines but none have replied, perhaps they are shied off by potential liability issues.:confused:

[Krystal n chips]

You could try contacting the RAF Museums at either Cosford or Hendon....the one at Cosford certainly has an Avon on display and opened up in part at least.

[bvcu]

Compressor case unbolted and lifted off from horizontal position on 100/200 series , remember a few out of hunters for fod inspections. Unbolt and lift . Someone must have a manual somewhere !

[John Hill]

Thanks, it looks too easy (after we get all those bolts out!).

It is a 200 series, ex Hunter most likely.

[taffyhammer]

From the dim and distant past; I do remember you had to slide some plates eithe side of the compressor casing top half prior to lifting to stop the stator blades falling out!!::uhoh:

[Engineer_aus]

Contact the Temora Aviation Museum in NSW.
Temora Aviation Museum :: Videos :: Temora Aviation Museum Aviation (http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/)

[Mark 1]

Have you tried contacting the RR Heritage Trust?
[email protected]

I know their are several knowledgeable retired ex-RR employees involved especially with the Hucknall museum.

[mtoroshanga]

Suggest you bite the bullet and get on the Old Rhodesian Air Force Sods website
Norman Ely and Keith Bruce probably can be more to help you than anyone with RR currently
Good luck

[Rabina]

My $ 0.02, contact either the Hunter Club in Interlaken Startseite - Hunterverein Interlaken (http://www.huver.ch) or RUAG Aerospace in Interlaken who used to work on all the Swiss Avons. They stopped any Hunter work almost 20 years ago, but there are bound to,be some veterans who could answer your question.

[Kitbag]

If you are stripping for display it may be worth your while Googling Avon 1533; this is the ground based version of the 200 series for power generation, still in service at many sites and quite a few upgrades appear to be available.