Photographer with EC135 handy..
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27
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From: Terra
Photographer with EC135 handy..
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 90
From: After all, what’s more important than proving to someone on the internet that they’re wrong? - Manson
RG and his Gaz.
I remember helping him fix it in the NT. The hydraulic system had a meltdown (literally). The Gaz has an airspace in the hydraulic tank which is a rubber bladder with a sponge inside. It is to give an expansion space within the tank while keeping it full. Helps when doing anything radical and not getting a gulp of air in the system.
The bladder had split and the oil had attacked the sponge which had fallen apart and gone through the hydraulic system and putting bits of sponge in all sorts of places it should not be.
A new tank pump assembly was fitted and the lines and servo's cleaned. After installing the new bits the engine wouldn't start.
Having some experience with the Artouste 3B the Astazou couldn't be that much different. Found that the oil pressure switch which controls the torch ignitors was stuck. Being miles from anywhere I opened the fancy looking Turbomeca switch to find a couple of 50 cent American "Microswitch" components inside. A little bit of lubrication and "Voila" as they say.
Went for fly with RG and he let me fly it as a bit of a return favour. Subsequently still probably still hold the speed record for a helicopter beat up at VRD. ~ 160 knots?
RG realised after a while that I flew helicopters as well as fixed them.
The Gaz was nice. As you unload the fenestron with speed you can put more power into the main rotor. Felt like a big 300 and much smoother than a 350. As you would expect I suppose.
I remember helping him fix it in the NT. The hydraulic system had a meltdown (literally). The Gaz has an airspace in the hydraulic tank which is a rubber bladder with a sponge inside. It is to give an expansion space within the tank while keeping it full. Helps when doing anything radical and not getting a gulp of air in the system.
The bladder had split and the oil had attacked the sponge which had fallen apart and gone through the hydraulic system and putting bits of sponge in all sorts of places it should not be.
A new tank pump assembly was fitted and the lines and servo's cleaned. After installing the new bits the engine wouldn't start.
Having some experience with the Artouste 3B the Astazou couldn't be that much different. Found that the oil pressure switch which controls the torch ignitors was stuck. Being miles from anywhere I opened the fancy looking Turbomeca switch to find a couple of 50 cent American "Microswitch" components inside. A little bit of lubrication and "Voila" as they say.
Went for fly with RG and he let me fly it as a bit of a return favour. Subsequently still probably still hold the speed record for a helicopter beat up at VRD. ~ 160 knots?
RG realised after a while that I flew helicopters as well as fixed them.
The Gaz was nice. As you unload the fenestron with speed you can put more power into the main rotor. Felt like a big 300 and much smoother than a 350. As you would expect I suppose.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 0
From: UK
What a brilliant idea and great pics. Lovely to see someone work for something and succeed in achieving something special.
Note to self: must rob a bank, or better still become a banker (same thing really!)
Note to self: must rob a bank, or better still become a banker (same thing really!)
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
good memory
RVDT
My you have a good memory. Same no start problem happened a few years later parked in a deep gorge in the blue mountains. Fixed it the same way by torchlight and flew out by moonlight.
My you have a good memory. Same no start problem happened a few years later parked in a deep gorge in the blue mountains. Fixed it the same way by torchlight and flew out by moonlight.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 110
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From: The land of the cranberry
Great stuff. My dream is to convert chinook into a 1969 VW hippy van style heli., sychadelic (spelling??) colours, etc and travel everywhere. Have all the toys in it, from surfboards to kayaks, snowboards to jet-skiis. That would be sweet.
I'm envious of you Richard!
I'm envious of you Richard!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
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From: Sydney, Australia
Am just about to jump on a plane to Hong Kong to supervise colours on press. Website Richard Green Photography will soon have a PayPal purchase option. Can purchase now – for details contact [email protected].
The book will be a stunner.
The book will be a stunner.