LP2 SAR Hull No 316 Restoration.

[Matt Stephenson]

Hi All,

Not much progress on the carrier lately as we begin to enter the silly season at work. I recently picked up a ration/utensil box from a rural junk/antique shop. It has a slot cut into the back and was painted yellow, and had been used as a letterbox. It had something like 6 layers of enamel paint which, aside from being a pain in the a%*e to remove had preserved and protected the box well over the years. Once stripped there was absolutely no rust, just a couple of minor dents and dings but nothing major after the better part of 70 years.

Also, last week I was fortunate enough to take a look at a recent arrival to Albury. Its not CMP, allied or even a land vehicle. I got to have a look at what is termed an "Original Rebuild" Focke Wulf FW-190. As it happens the aircraft's owner, who is not a local, had decided to put his collection of original FW-190 parts to good use and have an air frame built around them. I'm told that a minimum 10% original parts are required to meet the requirement of it being classed as an "Original rebuild". Nonetheless, its a thing of beauty, and something that I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to look over, under and all around and take a few photos. I'm told by the owner of the FW-190 it will remain here in Albury for a while along with a few other war birds also residing here, as he learns how to fly it.

As usual, pics attached. All comments welcome.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Matt Stephenson

Also, last week I was fortunate enough to take a look at a recent arrival to Albury. Its not CMP, allied or even a land vehicle. I got to have a look at what is termed an "Original Rebuild" Focke Wulf FW-190. As it happens the aircraft's owner, who is not a local, had decided to put his collection of original FW-190 parts to good use and have an air frame built around them. I'm told that a minimum 10% original parts are required to meet the requirement of it being classed as an "Original rebuild". Nonetheless, its a thing of beauty, and something that I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to look over, under and all around and take a few photos. I'm told by the owner of the FW-190 it will remain here in Albury for a while along with a few other war birds also residing here, as he learns how to fly it.

As usual, pics attached. All comments welcome.

Hmm, registration: VH-WLF is attributed to a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, although it was written off in an accident so the registration may have been reused.

Also, it looks smaller than the original so it may be one of the 80% scale replica's which are being built?

Interesting to see, nevertheless!

[Keith Webb]

I think it's full size Hanno - they wouldn't be making such a fuss here over a scaled down version - we've seen those before.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

I think it's full size Hanno - they wouldn't be making such a fuss here over a scaled down version - we've seen those before.

Keith, maybe a full size one, but still mostly a replica...

"Aircraft restorers have long subscribed to the theory that the most important component for any restoration is the aircraft data plate; anything else can be fabricated."

Ref. http://forum.keypublishing.com/showt...d-to-Australia

But like I said, interesting to see, nevertheless!

[Matt Stephenson]

Kieth and Hanno,

The FW-190 is full size, Keith you are absolutely spot on there.

Hanno, yes it is mostly replica. The owner is not making any claims that it is 100% original. For that matter, it is still a Focke Wulf FW-190. For years companies in England, the US and in New Zealand have been using surplus crated aircraft engines and components and putting them into new built Spitfire, Hurricane and Mustang air frames. Does anyone dispute that they are not a Spitfire, Hurricane or a Mustang? I would suggest that a complete original flying FW-190 exist in the same place as Unicorns and Sasquatch, and the few originals to still remain are either too valuable to risk flying or not in an air worthy condition anymore.

Personally, I believe that anyone who is willing to spend such a considerable amount of their money to not only rebuild these things, but to also put them in the air is commendable and worthy of our praise. It is not too dissimilar to what others here on this forum are attempting to do, which ultimately is to preserve history.

[Matt Stephenson]

With the weather in my part of the world reaching as high as 44 degrees Celsius in the last few weeks, and work requirements taking up more of my time than I'd like, work on the carrier itself has effectively ground to a stop. Personally, I'm not a big fan of hovering over a angle grinder or welding in that type of heat....

That said, I haven't being doing absolutely nothing on the few days that I have had off. Before Christmas I spoke with my friend with the 3D printer, who had previously assisted in reproducing some LP2 builder's plates in that medium. I approached him with an idea of making a model of the drum magazine from a Lewis Gun to sit in the ammo rack for said gun once the carrier is completed.

So after checking the relevant legislation in my state, and trying to get some sense from the issuing authority on such matters, I turned to the friendly local licencing officer, and a plan was developed. What has been produced is a scale model of the item, being in 4 pieces, and being about 5mm smaller overall than the original - hence the term scale model. It's made from 4 pieces of solid plastic that when glued together and painted will look the goods when sitting in the the rack in the back of my LP2. As such they cannot, never could and cannot be modified to carry any rounds, and will not fit onto and cannot be modified to fit onto on weapon of any type.....as I said before its a solid chunk of plastic.

Attached are some pics of the prototype in the raw form off the printer and assembled, then cleaned up, spray puttied and primed and finally with the coat of colour on. I still have a little way to go with the relevant licencing authorities in my state regarding this, however it is a work in progress. As always, constructive criticism and comments welcome.

Regards,

[lynx42]

PM sent Matt.

Regards Rick.

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by Matt Stephenson

Attached are some pics of the prototype in the raw form off the printer and assembled, then cleaned up, spray puttied and primed and finally with the coat of colour on. I still have a little way to go with the relevant licencing authorities in my state regarding this, however it is a work in progress. As always, constructive criticism and comments welcome.

Regards,

Looks a lot like a large plastic wheel to me... just needs the hole through the middle for the Axle.

Why call it a repro magazine?

Tim

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Matt Stephenson

Before Christmas I spoke with my friend with the 3D printer, ....
I approached him with an idea of making a model of the drum magazine from a Lewis Gun ......

So after checking the relevant legislation in my state, and trying to get some sense from the issuing authority on such matters, I turned to the friendly local licencing officer, and a plan was developed.

What has been produced is ... 4 pieces of solid plastic that when glued together and painted will look the goods when sitting in the the rack in the back of my LP2. As such they cannot, never could and cannot be modified to carry any rounds, and will not fit onto and cannot be modified to fit onto on weapon of any type.....as I said before its a solid chunk of plastic.

Regards,

Excellent work, and a very detailed result, but.. Meanwhile, elsewhere in NSW: Today's Sydney Morning Herald.