Model engineer help needed

[elliott1940]

Dear all - this is my first post here, but I have enjoyed reading some of the topics on this site.

We are rebuilding a WWII Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber for static museum display - eventually the plan is that it will go on display at a big national museum.

The project has been going to five years now and we have collected up a vast amount of wreckage. We are now entering the exciting phase of getting metal cut and the high cost of getting small amounts of items machined commercially has begun to bite.

I am looking for people who would be prepared to assist us in making small parts for the project. I am more than happy to pay for materials etc. and can email drawings etc. I am also happy to pay reasonable rates for peoples time (I apologise if this goes against the grain in this forum).

At the moment we are rebuilding our front turret - a Fraser Nash FN16, one of only two in the world. Our website is small, but gives a bit more of an idea as to what we are doing. www.geocities.com/whitley_project/

We need all manner of parts made and I would be very pleased to accept help from anyone who is reliable and skilled.

With best wishes to you all and your interesting forum.

Elliott Smock
[e-mail]

[alanstepney]

Good luck with it.

I imagine that will be the only complete Whitley around. A shame it wont by flying, but anything is better than nothing.

[SteveW]

Elliot,

A while back while cruising the Camden Book Catalogue I noticed a book on sheet metal working. Apparently it was written to provide the necessary information to repair battle damage to WWII aircraft.

I've no idea what it was called and can't find my catalogue but it occurs you'll need something like this on the team. Just a thought.

[cardiffpat]

Hi Elliot, where is your project located & can people visit?
Shame about the plans being destroyed in the 60s.
I was at RAF St Athen when the Vulcan fleet was scrapped there, bits all over the place, probably turned into saucepans long ago. Its ironic that the Vulcan preservation group have been appealing for the odd bit to get their baby going again.

[spurley]

Hi Elliot

I am interested to help if at all possible? I am a Licenced Aircraft Engineer, Avionics, if that is any use to the group as well as a keen, but relatively new, Model Engineer. Where is the aircraft and where would you need volunteer assistance? Please feel free to contact me on or off list.

Cheers

Brian

[lancelot]

Hello Elliott,
Here is the book Steve mentioned ...
HOW TO DO AIRCRAFT SHEET METAL WORK.
by
Norcross and Quinn. price ...£11.50
Camden Miniature Steam Services,
Barrrow farm,
Rhode,
Nr Frome,
Somerset,
BA 11 6PS.
01373 830151.

www.camdenmin.co.uk

I hope this is of some use to you,
All the best with the project,
John.

[elliott1940]

Hello everyone

Thanks for your comments - we have amassed a large amount of technical infomration on the aircraft, in fact probably all that exists. New bits are turning up all the time, only two days ago I won a pair of bomb door hinge castings from a Whitley on ebay!

Steve/Lancelot - I have some books on WWII sheet metal construction and they have been very helpful (I even have the book you mention), and I have some people who can do the sheet metal side of things - the main problem now is the small machined items.

Cardiffpat - the collected parts are in store in Norfolk and people are welcome to visit, but I am in London and Eastbourne most of the time, so it is difficult to co-ordinate these things!

Spurley - nice to hear from you! Any help, no matter how small is appreciated. I will send you an email.

I would post some pics of our front turret rebuild, but haven't figured out a way of doing it.

Thanks all.

Elliott