Feb trip to Stennis

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:14:53 +0200

Led by Geoff Commins this was a very different visit to previous ones as the engineering goals dictated a small team. Geoff was assisted by Milton Roach, Rod Barker & Mick Crawford (An ex-Binbrook Line Chief on his first US visit) on the engineering side, and Project Champion Andrew Brodie, volunteer Roger Winkworth & myself on the civi side.
Andrew and I arrived a day or so ahead of the main group and were able to get all the accommodation, transport and the hangar prepped for the main team and to make preparations for taking XS422 out of the hangar for the first time in 3 years.

The goals for the visit were as follows;
Remove all 4 DC pumps, check amperage and functionality.
Fill one wing with fuel through gravity point.
If fuel capacitance units and DC pumps pass respective tests then the decision may be made to fill other wing
Pump fuel, using fueldraulic rig into other wing via the engine fuel feed hose, thereby trapping any loose PRC etc in the heat exchanger. Return fuel to original wing using same method. Repeat 2 or 3 times each wing.
All above being well, pressure testing of centre section. can now be undertaken.
If all okay, commence fitting heat shields in No 1 Engine bay.
Progress electrical work.
Continue Pitot static system refurb

With the arrival of the main team there was still some logistics to get in place before XS422 could be towed outside. Hangar manager, Joe McCardle was greatly supportive in both organising that we had a means to tow 422 and working on his hangar doors to ensure that we’d have the clearance to get the tail through the door. Hurricane Katrina had ensured that the door had a new shape so there were a few tense moments as the door creaked past it’s normal high point. Despite currently being without her fin tip, 422 is still mere inches from the raised door and the front gear is pressured higher than normal to give an inclined attitude to the aircraft.
It was also necessary to organise the purchase and delivery of fuel for the aircraft and some cover from the airport fire service for the initial fuelling.

While all this was going on Milton and Rod busied themselves with the removal and testing of the fuel capacitance units from both wings. A very visual process which involves wiring the units together to mirror their set up in the wing and then submerging them in fuel to simulate full and then removal from the fuel to simulate empty while measuring their capacitance on a test rig.
This was a time consuming process with little margin for error but the guys eventually declared a success of the whole thing and the units were refitted in the wings.

About three days into the trip XS422 was slowly lowered on her jacks under the close supervision of Mick Crawford, a little nitrogen was added to her main wheels and then Joe towed the aircraft out into the Mississippi sunshine for the first time in 3 years. Covered up in case of a change in the weather the aircraft spent the first of three nights outside, something that brought the attention of at least two curious officers from the local sheriff’s office who were unaware of the presence of a bit of classic aviation heritage on their doorstep.

The arrival of the fuel truck and the cautious gravity filling of the port wing was a nervous time for the engineering team. A first chance to see just how good a restoration of the wings and fuel systems had been achieved. It was inevitable that after 14 years there were going to be some leaks and also the only real opportunity to see how good all the joints and seals were was by putting fuel in.
In the circumstances the results were very gratifying. Some leaks were observed and some of these were attended to over the following couple of days. This meant that it was not possible to pressure test the wings in the time available, although the fuel was pumped across to the starboard wing with similarly pleasing results.
With a heavy storm being forecast and team members approaching departure dates it was necessary to start thinking about getting XS422 back into the hangar. Geoff made the decision to postpone the pressure test until later in the year until all fuel leaks are resolved.

Additionally, Milton took the opportunity to inspect and test 3 out of the 4 DC pumps, which were discovered to be serviceable. Rod continued work testing the ventral fuel system as far as was possible, both on the aircraft and the tank itself.

Further successes were that both wing mounted fueldraulic pumps were found to work satisfactorily.

During the trip Rod was also able to recover some major items from our spare cockpit which will be assessed for their servicability.

Although a short trip with major time consuming tasks to undertake all those concerned have returned happy with what was achieved and the trip has created a good springboard for the next visits

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First of many ...

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 01:29:22 +0100

Well 8 years into the restoration of XS422 we have decided to use a bit of 21st century technology and start a blog for the project.
If you're not familiar with what we're doing then XS422 is an English Electric Lightning, ex RAF cold war intercepter.
The aircraft type saw service from 1960 to around 1988, making it the longest serving airraft type in RAF service.
As the Anglo American Lightning Organisation we are returning to flight a twin seat aircraft at Stennis Airport, Kiln, Mississippi.
I've just returned from one of our occasional engineering trips to the US, more of that in the coming days.
I hope to add to this blog at least once a week and to post photographs of the restoration as well.
In the meantime, check out our website for some great pics and background.
www.lightning422supporters.co.uk

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English Electric Lightning XS422 restoration

Feb trip to Stennis

First of many ...