Compass repair, help needed?

[Vfrpilotpb]

I have a lot of what my wife calls "junk", but to me they are parts of the historic world of flying machines, one of the bits of "junk" happens to be an old compass, the sort that would be fastend to the airframe down in front of the pilot or nav, it is about 3.5" in dia and 2" deep , I would like to get this thing renovated, it really is beyond the capability of my clumsy hands and I wondered if any of you chaps out there would know of any one, or company who would undertake this task for me, I have all the bits, its just that the alcohol/oil whatever it was ran out of a bung about four years ago. I would be very grateful for any help.
My Regards
Peter R-B

[Torres]

Sounds like the type of compass that was originally installed in DH 82 Moths? Any Aviation Instrument shop should be able to overhaul it. Unfortunately I'm in Australia so can't give you any recommendations. If you have problems email me with details of the compass and I'll see what I can come up with.

[Bus429]

Not light green in colour, is it? Might be a P2.

Though probably not applicable in this case, a word of warning to any considering dismantling aircraft instruments. Those of earlier vintages did not have internal lighting and radium or other similar radioactive self-illuminating compounds were used on the instrument faces. There may be a risk to health if one dismantled such instruments in other than controlled conditions. I definitely would not keep one on my bedside table!

[411A]

Generally works for most all old compasses---remove the threaded plug and fill with refined kerosene, fit a new 'O' ring and reseal. Or, if the absolute proper mixture is required, order a bottle of compass fluid from <a href="http://www.aircraft-spruce.com" target="_blank">www.aircraft-spruce.com</a>

[Vfrpilotpb]

Sorry for the delay in answering, but I have been tied up with the toys and things that Santa dropped into our house, you will all know what I mean!, No its not green more of a grey to mid grey, but I see that its fine points are covered in this lumious sort of paint, ( wondered why I can suddenly see to use the little room in the Dark!), but I cannot refill it for it seems to have developed a leak in the bellows system at its base. I have looked at it through a Mag glass and found crypt saying that it is a
"P11" taken to mean P2, does this help anyone!

[BeauMan]

VFR - I was talking to some guys from East Fortune a couple of weeks ago who were telling me about the problems they're having with old instruments and radiation. If I remember the conversation correctly, the main thing to look for is whether the luminous painted markings on the face are still solid, or the luminous paint has started to crack, or it has started to crumble and you have lose paint dust inside the instrument.

If the paint has cracked or crumbled, don't mess about with it, but ask for advice about what to do with the instrument (sorry, haven't got a clue who you'd ask though). Apparently the radiation is contained within the paint, and is okay until it starts to break up. Hope this helps.

[Gary Halliday]

It will be a P11 not P2.

Try: Fenns (Farnborough) Ltd
77 Alexandra Rd
Farnborough
Hants
GU 14 6BN

Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

GH
Edited for spelling

[ 27 December 2001: Message edited by: Gary Halliday ]</p>

[Vfrpilotpb]

BeauMan and Gary,

Thank you for that advice and address, the paint is still pretty hard and stuck to what is was intended(I think),
Beau Man, I would love to see your rebuild whats the chance!
Regards

[BeauMan]

VFR - As I'm only a volunteer on X7688, and she's not usually accessible to the public, it's not my place to say whether you'd be able to visit. I'm back in there in a couple of weeks though, so I'll ask and let you know.

[Bus429]

At the risk of being a wet blanket, I would advocate caution with respect to any instrument of that vintage, irrespective of the conditon of the paint. I remember an old hand in the vintage restoration circuit (not too long removed from the sphere of your involvement, I suspect, BeauMan - depending on whether you are involved with the Beaufighter projects based in Bedfordshire or Cambridgeshire),relating an anecodote concerning an instrument enthusiast. This chap was very keen and stripped and repaired old instruments. He kept them in the caravan in which he lived and eventually contracted some form of cancer. If in doubt,leave it out! I can only speak from the benefit of my experience as an EIR rated engineer with some experience of the vintage circuit.

[Vfrpilotpb]

Thankyou Bus429,
I hope to keep well away from Big Charlie, all glowing bits now in a tin box covered in roofing lead on highest shelf in Garage!! Seems silly , but none of that crossed my mind at all. <img src="eek.gif" border="0">