Valiant Nav kit

[Timelord]

I am an ex Vulcan Nav-radar and yesterday looked inside the Valiant cockpit at Moravia, the excellent museum near Kinloss. I recognised the Nav rad position but nothing looked familiar at the plotter’s station. In particular:
No sign of anything like a ground (or air) position indicator.
A large circular CRT in front of the plotter
Any clues? And was also surprised to see a huge fuel panel by the Nav-rad, a co pilot responsibility on the other Vs. The sextant mount was WAY up in the roof. What on earth did you have to stand on to use that?

Any Valiant Nav kit experts out there??

[Jhieminga]

If anyone needs any bits of memory refreshed (and because it is a wonderfully restored Valiant cockpit):
https://flic.kr/p/2nRSz4f
https://flic.kr/p/2nRPVku
https://flic.kr/p/2nRVbNj
https://flic.kr/p/2nRSz2w
https://flic.kr/p/2nRVbMs

[DaveReidUK]

Is that the Cosford one ?

Do you know what the state of the Brooklands one is ?

[Jhieminga]

This is the cockpit section of XD875 at Morayvia in Scotland, not the Cosford Valiant. The Brooklands example XD816 is inside the new Aircraft Factory exhibition. Restored in overall silver colours, it is hiding in a corner and the inside is not open. I have been inside that one a long time ago, and I think it is pretty complete, but could be completely wrong as well.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/677x1000/valiant_nose_2019_ca086467ea81ce8ad52f73f568d7be5b1960435c.j pg

This is the only photo I have of the interior of this one, and it was taken over 20 years ago.
https://flic.kr/p/24BEPdZ

[Barksdale Boy]

I am an ex Vulcan Nav-radar and yesterday looked inside the Valiant cockpit at Moravia, the excellent museum near Kinloss. I recognised the Nav rad position but nothing looked familiar at the plotter’s station. In particular:
No sign of anything like a ground (or air) position indicator.
A large circular CRT in front of the plotter
Any clues? And was also surprised to see a huge fuel panel by the Nav-rad, a co pilot responsibility on the other Vs. The sextant mount was WAY up in the roof. What on earth did you have to stand on to use that?

Any Valiant Nav kit experts out there??
I'm also an ex-Vulcan nav radar, but I seem to remember that Victor tanker nav rads had a hand in refuelling activities. Tankertrashnav would be the man to shed light on this.

[ZH875]

Vulcan K2 Nav Rad position showing HDU refuelling panel on left
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1800x1232/img_1701_1__e224391f6440667e10aa68ef624e69a782d136cc.jpg

[Self loading bear]

HDU
Hose drum unit????
only fitted on Valliants and Victors not onto Vulcans I thought?

[ZH875]

HDU
Hose drum unit????
only fitted on Valliants and Victors not onto Vulcans I thought?
Vulcan K2 Hose Drum Unit fitted where ECM cans used to be. 50 Sqn operated 6 K2 aircraft 1982-1984
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1184x1753/img_1702_4a39beae6818c4bfe0bf90f8bb7f2227ead08aae.jpg

[ZH875]

In action
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/571_c130_01_661a7114226a1015cde38bbab3ab9b8bccc72614.jpg

[Herod]

Vulcan Tankers. You learn something every day. Thanks for the heads-up

[BEagle]

Fitted to a few 50 Sqn Vulcan B2(K) in a 'MFI wardrobe' under the tailcone during the S.Atlantic war when all the Victors were down south.

Reliable - and on the F-4 I found it much nicer to prod against the Vulcan B2(K) than against a Victor!

[ZH875]

XM571 and F4
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/571_f4_01_e4e836ee0e3ceb17c4188d2d65a8d4a1f5620891.jpg

[Self loading bear]

Vulcan Tankers. You learn something every day. Thanks for the heads-up

Same from me, Thanks!

[sandym]

I was a Co Pilot on 90 squadron from 1958 to 1962 and still have my copy of Pilots Notes. Every switch and dial is clearly identified up front and down the Back.
I'd be happy to arrange copies, or if I can get someone to help me, post them on PPRuNe.

[NRU74]

Since no Valiant Navs have responded, as a sometime AEO on Valiants I'll have a go with some help perhaps from sandym.
The CRT had some odd name like the Universal Indicator and was used for GEE 2 amongst other functions.The box above it looks like the Green Satin which I thought was usually to the left of where it's positioned. No idea of the box to its left but the GPI 4 was usually to the right of the Green Satin. Never used the sextant but on the only sortie I did over Russia to the East of the Kola Peninsular (looking for a sub) my main job was communicating in Morse with a USN P2 out of Bodø but my subsidiary job was to climb every 15 mins or so on the Plotter's table and use the periscope to see whether we were contrailing.

[sandym]

I've had the appropriate picture and diagramme list ( 55 choices ) put into my laptop, but PPrune wont let me send it , apparently because I have posted so few comments. My Expert has given an alternative way to communicate.

[RFCC]

If anyone needs any bits of memory refreshed (and because it is a wonderfully restored Valiant cockpit):

Jhieminga - PM'd you

[Jhieminga]

Found it, thanks!
sandym has your expert come up with a way to share the diagrammes and such? If you send them to me in an e-mail I would be happy to make sure they get posted on this thread. Just click on my name and you should be able to find my e-mail or send me a PM.

[Senior Pilot]

I've had the appropriate picture and diagramme list ( 55 choices ) put into my laptop, but PPrune wont let me send it , apparently because I have posted so few comments. My Expert has given an alternative way to communicate.

I’ve upped your post count to fox the system; hopefully! Give it another go please 👍

[sandym]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/image0_3bac9e90909ee963ddc5565b36ee71231db399ba.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/image1_fa90c2e52eb642700708388cac8fcc746a5695c7.jpeg

[Barksdale Boy]

Different to Vulcan fit, but it brings it all back - can almost smell it!

[India Four Two]

Thanks for posting the pictures, sandym.

Does anyone know why the N.B.S. Navigation Panel (13) is in a circular case?

[Timelord]

Thanks Sandym. Still no sign of a GPI though. I suppose the plotter used the NBS counters? I 42- no idea .

[ZH875]

Thanks for posting the pictures, sandym.

Does anyone know why the N.B.S. Navigation Panel (13) is in a circular case?

Because it was in a circular case with the flanged front panel. It looks pretty normal to me

[Pontius Navigator]

All the NBC components were in circular cans and were made by EMI. The CU 585, 595 and Ind 301 were part of the H2S by BTH.
​​​​

[reynoldsno1]

The Green Satins were repurposed and used in the Varsity navigation trainers. The low (very) groundspeeds didn't suit them and they unlocked most of the time.