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By: - 15th August 2023 at 14:18 Permalink - Edited 15th August 2023 at 14:36
HI All,
I don't know if any of the following is any use to you but I came across this site that may be of help and have emailed requesting information on your quest, you never know may yield something ? https://aerospacebristol.org/archives
Other possible helpful sites from the link above ?
https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-archives/
https://aerospacebristol.org/archive-blog
collections@aerospacebristol.org. ( Possible contact ? )
https://ukaeroarchives.wordpress.com/
Thinking outside the box why not try contacting other Beaufighter operators ?
Australia / Canada / Dominican Republic / Isreal / New Zealand /US / Turkey / Sth Africa / Portugal - ( Courtesy of Wiki ) After all I imagine that if they had all the manuals supplied with the aircraft if operated overseas even if they used them or not say just for training purposes / Museums Restorations ?
Geoff.
By: - 15th August 2023 at 15:22 Permalink
Avialogs has the maintenance manuals for Hercules 630 and 760 if they were of any use.
By: - 15th August 2023 at 18:16 Permalink
Thanks guys, good leads to follow. Keep looking.
By: - 16th August 2023 at 10:03 Permalink
Are these of any use? On EvilBay (I've no connection with the seller)
USED Bristol Hercules VI XI XVI XVII XVIII Engine Operators Handbook August 1945 | eBay
By: - 16th August 2023 at 19:31 Permalink
Dare i ask if the TFC Beaufighter is coming back to life :) fingers crossed.
By: - 17th August 2023 at 12:28 Permalink
It was only resting!
Help us find more parts. Sump for the early engines, Part No. FB94730 Qty. 1 wanted.
Bristol FB drawings wanted. What else have you got?
By: - 17th August 2023 at 15:11 Permalink
Which company is being tasked with the engine overhauls/builds?
Posts: 3,659
By: - 18th August 2023 at 00:08 Permalink - Edited 18th August 2023 at 00:33
Hi All,
BFVI:- Try these guys you never know may even have links that you don't ?
https://bristol-hercules.co.uk/about-us/
Why not try the Halifax 57 project they are scouring the sea beds for they're project, I would think that they would have managed to salvage a few engine components as spares ? http://www.57rescuecanada.com/
I would also imagine Kermit Weeks as another source ? Why not ask the RAF Museum if you can have their engines and swap them for your reconditioned ?
Geoff.
By: - 18th August 2023 at 08:19 Permalink
Thanks guys for all of your help. Have been in touch with Karl in Canada and am awaiting a response. We have offered him new cylinder sleeves also later magnetos NOS the same as eBay item suggested.
Keep the ideas coming. Yesterday took delivery of some oil pumps NOS. (new old stock) Also some BTH magnetos.
By: - 21st August 2023 at 10:30 Permalink
Hi Beaufighter VI and the rest of you.
Can you tell us more about FB* part numbers (eg, the range of numbers)? I think I have seen some molds for FB part-numbers. I will dig up my photos/notes.
Although I appreciate the difficulties caused by trying to work supplies all the way across the planet, there are the efforts in Australia: John Parker's journalism is very helpful...
https://www.warbirdsonline.com.au/2022/07/16/beaufighter-engine-restora…
By: - 21st August 2023 at 10:36 Permalink
Part number FB 42311 is associated with this mold. Does it make any sense?
By: - 21st August 2023 at 11:47 Permalink
Nicko, what are FB molds doing in Australia? Wartime maintenance? Are these from railway workshops?
By: - 21st August 2023 at 12:19 Permalink
That was why I was trying to understand the FB numbers. After my post above, I looked through my other photos... FB 79323.
Posts: 3,659
By: - 23rd August 2023 at 19:36 Permalink - Edited 23rd August 2023 at 19:43
Hi All,
BF6 - I suppose you have already been in touch these guys below in Australia ?
Peter Brook and Historical Aircraft Engines
What about those copies made by Snecma for the North Noratlas ? after all they bagged four for the Halifax or are they of a different variation of the Hercules ?
Interesting article from key.aero from 2018, could give you some ideas of potential surviving engines if they are any good ?
https://www.key.aero/article/noratlas-rugged-and-reliable
Also came across this ad below from EBay and although two years old and no trace or mention since, you never know may be worth a punt ? after all you have nothing to lose.
https://aerodynamicmedia.com/bristol-hercules-engines-for-sale/
Here's an out the box suggestion:- What about approaching owners who have restored ground running examples you make offers with a very, very good incentive ?
Those that may possibly be able to restore further to full airworthiness condition bought you could offer an incentive with the aircraft owners permission. A flight in the Beau when completed or similar, you could even offer helping restore another for them to ground run in its place ? The way I see it is that you both come out winners!
Apart from that I can only think that as a group of like minded people you all come together with the common goal of seeing an airworthy Beaufighter. As long as you have no major issues with each other the knowledge is there to produce what missing parts you need or make copies from non airworthy whatever.
Aircraft Enthusiasts/Aero Engine Engineers/Aircraft Restoration specialists working as one can make all this work by putting egos difficulties aside IMPO.
EDIT:- What about old airfield dumps ? I know,I know probably been mentioned over the times but hey you never know, rather than some amateur doing it what about the official route with some decent official backing ? surely there must be somebody who can assist ?
Geoff.
By: - 24th August 2023 at 19:24 Permalink
Hi All,
Have checked in the AP1728D & E Vol 3 for Hercules 16 - 18 and neither number figures. FB79323 you mentioned as Beaufort.
The FB (Feddon Brown) numbers for our engines run from FB2319 to FB118120. What have you?
The engines you see on eBay etc are late models, if you know of early ones let me know. This what to look for, early harness, different induction and magnetos.
Posts: 3,659
By: - 26th August 2023 at 00:09 Permalink - Edited 26th August 2023 at 00:19
Hi All,
BF6:- You state that the later Mk's of Hercules are very different and cannot be used, I being from a non engineering background ( Looking at it purely from a black and white prospective & I dare say Rose tinted glasses also :- ) the later produced Hercules engines are simply more advanced / developed in however many ways of the original Mk you specifically require.
Could you not back engineer from those late improved Hercules to something that could represent the correct Mk of early Hercules simply by taking these advances off whatever engine you decide to try it with ?
( IMPO from a layman's point of view I imagine that engines still have a lot of commonality for each subsequent follow on Mk or have I got it wrong and they completely alter the engine very significantly each time they improve them for those Mk's ? )
If achievable would you not end up having an engine of a similar appearance to the early Mk Hercules that would do the job ? Or at least until the correct engine become more widely available and that is not to mention any spares you would require.
Rather than say trying to engineer a workaround to fit those later Mk's on the airframe, could not these back engineered engines be a viable alternative ? I imagine them also having both the same pro's and cons of both early and late Mk Hercules or would the cost of such an undertaking be to prohibitive ?
Having said all the above has anybody ever before costed this as an alternative and if it was possible then dismissed it as to expensive ? If not could you not just put it forward to all potential operators across the globe or at least current operators who have projects on the go ? You would all benefit and any cost would be spread amongst you all.
As an idea for a feasibility study into just what would be required to complete this theory is it not worth a shot ? If indeed it could be done given money was no object to have an authentic looking Airworthy Beaufighter with Hercules engines as a possible last gasp when there are no correct Mk Hercules engines currently available.
IMPO it's a good last ditch back up plan for all to be involved with, after all you are all in the same business and all fighting for what few genuine parts etc. etc etc. are available worldwide that are getting fewer and fewer ?
Finally what about crash sites where the crew survived, the aircraft was left in situ but deemed non recoverable ? ( i.e. The Black Widow project that was deemed at first just a pipe dream and now look at it.)
Geoff.
By: - 26th August 2023 at 09:06 Permalink
Phew! Answer that! The problem with the later engines is that the rear end sticks out more and is wider! They also incorporated a totally different sump, this with the above changes interferes with the Beaufighter engine bearer. Make a new bearer? We actually did a re-design many years ago. This would mean many other changes, including complete re-design of the power-plant and an altered centre of gravity for the aircraft.
Introducing a hybrid engine also brings issues but they are far easier to resolve. Yesterday picked up early Plessey fuel pumps and ignition harness. All will need overhaul and spare parts and additional manuals.
AP2241 covering Plessey fuel pump F-6?
Catalogue 1086 covering 5B and 37B, ignition equipment?
Let me know if you find any FB parts including early Hercules. We can do it!
This is what we have to start off with!
By: - 26th August 2023 at 18:26 Permalink - Edited 26th August 2023 at 18:53
I have a Feb 1952 copy of AP1086 Section 5B and although it doesn’t mention the Beaufighter there are some references to the Hercules engine.
Happy to send a scan if you PM an email address.
Posts: 3,659
By: - 26th August 2023 at 20:31 Permalink - Edited 26th August 2023 at 20:46
Hi All,
BF6:- I take it you already have a copy of this manual then ? (Still active on EBay)
What about giving the guys at Shuttleworth a go ? they seem to have a substantial archive with plenty material you never know may just include what your looking for.
Geoff.
Posts: 81
By: BeaufighterVI - 15th August 2023 at 10:19
Can anybody help with a copy of A.P. 1728D Volume II Part 2 Fits, Clearances and Repair Tolerances, for Hercules VI and XVI, XVII,XVIII?
We are just about to start engine restoration!