Recent content by Big Jake

You should never use a forklift to change an engine - there is no way that you can control the lift and it is very easy to over stress the pylons.

Many years ago in the '70s, when I was an aircraft structural engineer in a large aircraft maintenance organization, the "floor" (maintenance personnel) approached me with a problem. The night before, an engine was replaced on a Boeing 707. Contrary to the instructions that required the use of a...

What's this stupid remark supposed to mean?

a. Re-start and fly - all radial engines needed to be turned by hand "6 blades" to make sure that there is no "hydraulic lock". "Hydraulic lock" was created when engine oil sipped through the piston rings down into the lower cylinders' combustion chambers. If enough oil was accumulated in any of...

They should have restored it to flying condition, but this is also OK...;)

Go to Aircorps Library. They have a Mosquito manual ("Servicing and Descriptive Handbook for F.B. Mk. 26 Mosquito A.P. 2019T"). In Section 5, you'll find instructions how to remove the wing off the fuselage, accompanied by diagrams describing what I assume you are looking for.

Sad to hear about the accident and wish Stewart quick and complete recovery. The A-20 propeller is feathered by the pilot pushing the feathering button of the relevant propeller. This activates a dedicated pump (feathering pump) that supplies oil under pressure directly to the propeller where...

Might be a Bristol Beaufort?

Go ahead

WV?

Early F4U was notorious for bad pilot's vision over the nose. That's why the cockpit was raised and even the tail wheel strut extended. As for the H-1 converted into a fighter - it would never have worked. It would have required redesigning the whole structure to withstand much higher loads -...

From the pictures I saw of the recovered wreckage of the Hudson's helicopter, it doesn't seem as if the rotor separated from the fuselage. All naval aircraft with folding wings have mechanisms incorporating interlocking pins and hooks in such a way that ensures security of the wing attachment...

What about a navelized Beaufighter? Get rid of the observer/gunner, add folding wings, lighten up by removing the wing guns, etc.

On the same subject - can someone recommend a good book describing the operations by the "little guys" (L-2, etc.) during WW2? You'll hear endless stories about P-51, P-47s etc. jockeys but nothing about them guys.

They won't need any of these teams if they'll just adequately staff the towers and control centers.