She
is coming home………….
The T21 Sedbergh DAR nears completion
and can be expected to grace the skies over Upwood again this season.
Strange to relate perhaps but the little landing mishap experienced
by Dave and Trevor a couple of years ago might have been one of
the best things that could have happened for her. With her private
interior exposed there were signs of a series of bodged repairs.
One can only imagine the indignity she must have also suffered over
the years whilst gallantly trying to introduce so many early pilots
to the magic of flying whilst having an army of wood spoilers practice
on her. She was probably just looking for a suitable person to hear
her cry for help. I suspect she knew a thing or too when she chose
Trevor. Trevor has now nearly completed the nose rebuild from and
including the seat bulkhead forward to the ballast "bomb" housing.
He has done a superb job! Initially not being sure how much information
would be available another fuselage was obtained from Bob Maclean
and used to produce a jig for DAR's rebuild. Subsequently Trevor
obtained copies of Sling's detailed drawings. After a few beers
Trevor even talks about rebuilding that 'fuse as well as the basis
of another Sedbergh!!
At
about the time when this latest re-work phase started , Peter Underwood
published an account in the VGC News of his modification for a C
of G hook for Sedberghs. (Ref: VGC News Number 113 Winter 2004.)
Peter claims winch launches higher than Ka 13's and increased heights
from 800 feet to 1,100 feet. Initial performance is more akin to
a Ka8 where one need to hold the stick fully forward against the
stop for the first 100 feet; even when Rocket Ron is not on the
winch. Peter has obtained BGA CTO Jim Hammerton's approval for the
mod. and Trevor has taken the opportunity of building it into DAR.
The
tail plane and elevators have been stripped of their fabric, various
minor woodwork repairs made and a mouse nest removed that whilst
built with the usual paper materials also included hundreds of cigarette
ends. I guess flying is stressful to mice as well. The wings have
been thoroughly inspected and declared fit for service. The monetary
cost of the materials to complete the above programme of work has
been logged, the man hour costs would be frightening and can only
be considered a labour of love. Fortunately we have a commitment
from the Club Committee to make a contribution to the repairs and
with the popularity of open cockpit flying with Friday Night Customers
their expenditure is quickly recouped. If I remember correctly the
Sedbergh took approaching a £1,000 in the last 5 week period of
her operation flying for the Club although that was when we only
had one other two seater and we enjoyed a Rog. Emms Corporate Day..
 |
Hopefully
we can all soon experience the delights of Sedbergh flying. Her
new Custodians are again willing to make her available for Clubs'
use and have plans to continue with bringing her up to a high standard.
There are plans afoot for a trailer and to recover the wings when
the time comes. The cost of the C of G installation needs to be
recovered. Perhaps a launch supplement of £2 /launch would be the
solution. Should anyone object they can of course use the forward
hook. With third party insurance it will also need to be very clearly
understood by all Pilots in Charge that they will be responsible
any subsequent repairs. Trevor has set a very high standard.
Follow up story about
the T21's first flight since rebuild Click Here
JB
Feb 2006 |
