Pressure gauge helps get vintage bomber airborne
A
PCL product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
May 26, 2008
One of Britain's finest aircraft has been returned to the skies in a blaze of glory with perfect pressure in its tyres, thanks to Pneumatic Components Limited.
The campaign group responsible for getting the Avro Vulcan Bomber XH558 back the skies had an original 1940s PCL tyre pressure gauge which they thought couldn't be mended.
PCL was able to recalibrate it for general use on the Vulcan and all was well, until the Vulcan was ready to be moved for an engine test as part of a programmed schedule of ground maintenance.
It was then discovered that the gauge was not able to measure the top pressure required for the Vulcan.
PCL Technical Sales Expert Brian Beech had a calibrated TPG54 aircraft gauge in his car and he drove over to Leicestershire, where the Vulcan takes pride of place in a hangar at Bruntingthorpe Airfield.
The Vulcan to the Sky Trust's first goal was achieved in October 2007 when the Vulcan flew for the first time in 14 years, then in May the aircraft made a series of flights in order to complete and pass the required to apply for a permit to fly.
However the Vulcan still needs around GBP 50,000 a month to make it to the first airshow season this summer.
Colin Marshall, Logistics Manager for the Vulcan to the Sky Trust said: "We needed a lot of equipment to get her back to full working order and have had to be as economical as possible".
"When it came to getting the tyre pressure gauge fixed we had been told by another company it wasn't possible, so we decided to ask the original manufacturer, PCL - and they did it with no problem at all".
"Then, when we needed a higher range gauge after all, Brian saved us at the 11th hour with a brand new one".
"Without it we would have had to defer the engine test and therefore our progress with getting the Vulcan ready for displays".
"Brian and PCL have been extremely helpful and we are very grateful for their support".
"With a project of this magnitude it really is a case of every little helps".
If all falls into place the Vulcan should be flying at displays by June.
She will perform for 600 hours over 10 years and her last flight will be to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford to give her back to the nation.
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