Again, many months of life getting in the way but I have finally started on the Spitfire I manual landing gear pump.
The pump obviously needed to be strong, as the handle will get quite a working. As casting iron is beyond me, something similar to the real deal was out. I also didn't fancy trying to bend 3mm aluminium and make nice, sharp square edges.
That left finding something that could be used as a "base" and building around it. I trawled building suppliers and hardware stores without any luck. Every *^*^ thing is plastic nowadays, you don't seem to be able to buy small steel or tin boxes.
Then out of the blue I found this garden light.. a well formed aluminium "U" shape with internal bracings and fittings.
It was about 3/4 the length of the real thing and slightly wider.
So after carefully emptying the "guts" I set to work planning how I was going to make it all work. The best way seemed to be to use the unit as the back part of the pump:
This would be achieved by cutting the u frame into the "tail end' shape:
Then cutting new pieces to plug the gaps and building any other detail on. Then I will make the front end which can be fit into the front of the unit with some overlap for gluing/riveting. I'll machine the axel and the fitting that holds the pump handle from steel and all that will remain is to get someone to bend the handle for me.
The raise/lower handle can be made on the lathe so that it will accept an internal spring for the "lift" function. The raise lower guard can be made and bent simply from 3mm ali.
I have made significant progress on the rear of the unit and will post pics soon.
Last but not least, the various fora recently tipped over 300,000 views for the Spitfire!!! Quite an achievement for a rank amateur and you can see the heavy contribution of THIS forum to that. By far the most replies here too!
Thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!
Darryl