discussion Wonwings Diary-a blog with a difference.

[Guest]

Marine engines have had turbo-chargers fitted for many many years and are always a cause for concern.

Ours spin at around 16,000 rpm at full load which is nealy half a ton of metal. At these speeds the axial clearance actually reduces due to the centrifugal forces on the blades! We remove them every 12,000 hours of service for balancing, cleaning and testing but still there are occasional failures.

It must also be remembered that external forces can have an effect on these units with catastrophic effects. In the marine engine a failing of any component in any of the cylinders can send peices of metal into the turbo-charger, with obvious results and in the case of aircraft engines anything drawn into the turbine, birds, debris, rubbish etc., can have a similar effect.

The last time I came across it was only about a year ago when an exhaust valve failed and some peices of metal went through the turbo-charger. Luckily we stopped the engine as soon as we noticed the unit was not firing and prevented the turbine destroying itself. The blades were badly damaged though when we took it all apart but we could have been looking at seconds before it all came out of the casing.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Painting & Drawing Aircraft,Cars,Locomotives,Ships & other machines.

Painting & Drawing

The subject of drawing & painting aircraft,cars,locomotives etc is something that many will want to have a go at,but the problem of where to start ? well you can take two different avenues of approach,either to work from photographs which is perfectly acceptable and practical,or if your subject matter is still around then why not go out in the field and sketch it first hand ? there are numerous museums around that are ideal places to study your subject first hand and set to work with a painting.

For the purposes of these exercises I will discuss and describe the rudiments of setting into motion the basics,my advice to anyone who enjoys art is to study other works in detail,and above all get to know your subject matter,by making a small scale model first this will give you a deeper understanding of its shape and also assist with the effects of light that is thrown onto the subject which is so important to make any painting come alive,the ability to turn the model around and get the view that you want is worth its weight in gold,so lets get to work and see how a De Havilland DH.86 aircraft slowly evolves and takes shape,culminating into the finished subject.

This is how the painting first starts,the shape is drawn onto the canvas with a white pencil,in this case against a grey ground,the reason for the dark ground is in order to show the correct tone of the colours,the sky was added beforehand as it is much easier and more practical to lay the shape of the aeroplane on top,no need to fill in entire areas all in one go otherwise you will loose all of the detail that has been pencilled in,simply work on different areas gradually building up,the under painting is important as it is used to gain the form and shape,for example the curvature on the nose and the stringered fuselage shape,study your subject and work everything out,you will be surprised how easier things become,if you do paint over a detail area simply pencil it back in again and rework it in paint.

Detail of the nose area showing the brushstrokes,do not worry how things look at the moment,a painting goes through several stages of untidyness,as you rework things they evolve into the shapes that you need,precision with the brush is not needed,the main thing with technical subjects is to capture the shape as if it is in three dimensions,cutting in later will fuse everything together.

The broad areas have now been covered after several painting sessions,we now have the shape,tone is slowly coming along and adjusted,painting is all about try and see,small areas of highlight have been added,some white underpainting for the crosses and undersides of the wings,things are now slowly evolving into a three dimensional object effect,note how areas such as the wing struts are starting to ghost through which is useful,we can rework these areas later.

Closer detail showing how the fuselage stringers are represented,areas of lighter colour between the area make the fabric look as if it is tightened over the wood,which is exactly as it should be,remember just like modelling study your subject carefully and work slowly,if you loose concentration go away have a cuppa and return.

Now lets add the dirty white lower,pick out the roundals,crosses and fin stripe,give the struts some curvature,add the pitot head and rigging wires,over the coming weeks,months a bit of tidying up here and there will take place,a few extra shadows added as required.

But the most important thing is we have recreated something different,a beautiful long lost four engined wood and fabric hand built biplane whilst in service as an air ambulance.

What fun to do something just that little bit special and above all historically accurate.

A photograph is fine but a painting makes the subject come alive.

The painting is still not finished but will be put away for a while to dry out and then more detail can be added at a later stage.

 

[Guest]

Barry,

I take it the medium for this picture was oils or acrylics?

Obviously Water colours is quite a differrent technique and not as forgiving for a beginner.

 

[wonwinglo]

***This one is oil on canvas with citrus fruit dillutent Richard (to avoid heavy turpentine fumes which are an health hazard ) as you say watercolours are a different technique leaving the white of the paper to show highlights,with oils we work the other way and paint dark to light adding the highlights later.

A piece on watercolour painting is planned for the future,a very beautiful traditional transparent medium that requires plenty of practise.

Barry,I take it the medium for this picture was oils or acrylics?

Obviously Water colours is quite a differrent technique and not as forgiving for a beginner.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Painting & Drawing Aircraft & Macines Etc-Part 2

There are many exciting and different mediums available from which to do your drawings,in fact some of the best effects are achieved with what are termed mixed media,this is when two entirely different types are used in a painting or drawing by overlaying or even blending,sometimes this gives a really atmospheric effect such as this painting of a Supermarine S.6B record breaking seaplane,the picture was composed on blue sugar paper with a light gouache sky effect,gouache is no more than ordinary water colour paint to which chinese white pigment has been added,they are sometimes referred to as 'Designers colours' this is due to their popularity in drawing up artwork for studio work where the opaque finish coupled with fast drying is ideal.

The effects in the sky were achieved by scumbling the paint across the paper,this can be achieved with what is termed a dry brush effect whereby the paint is not used with any water added,also the side of the brush can be used usefully by carefully rolling it across the paper,practise helps to achieve the correct effect.

The outline of the aircraft was then done in charcoal,this has to be one of the most natural products for use in painting,you can smudge it,rub it into the paper with a tortillon ( fine paper rolled stick ) and even blend it into pastel chalks as both materials are compatible,it is important once the basic shape has been achieved to fix the dust like particles with a material called fixative or fixatif,this is a fine atomised clear coating very similar to hair spray ( which can in fact be used for this purpose ) subsequent coats are added one on top of the other until the required build up is achieved,always bear in mind that the pastel will darken slightly once the fixative has been applied.

Once the pastelwork is sound you can then go back to the gouache and add any fine details not possible with the pastels,then use the charcoal to highlight the wing ribs and shading,finally another dust coat of fixative pulls evrything together.

Here we have an example of another mixed media painting,the Percival Pentice was first drawn onto tinted cream paper with pencil,then a fine 0.01 Edding pen reproduces the necessary detail work,on top of this we have used gouache to achieve the silver alloy painted surfaces,except they are not actually silver but tints of pale blue added over a white ground,the yellow wing bands are Edding colour draughting pen,and the foreground is watercolour laid onto a light pastel ground,this works well for foliage and distant trees as the watercolour blends into the pastel and sometimes slightly seperates giving the desired effect..

Here we have an example of watercolour washes onto white tissue paper,the tissue is lightly sized first giving a slight sheen,the aircraft was then drawn out with 0.01 Edding black pen and washes of colour added first to the background area,and then the Auster Agricola aircraft itself,the effects are pleasing to the eye,I developed this technique from my studies of Chinese watercolour painting,stretched silk can also be used as the painting diffuses as the colours hit the surface,almost an explosion of colour with excellent results. .

So you see there are really no rules in painting and drawing,if a finish reacts then you can use this to good effect,the secret is to experiment and to use the happy error to good effect.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The end of an era-The English Electric Canberra finally retires

WJ874 Canberra T.4 painted up as the prototype VN799 was delivered to Coventry for the Air Atlantique Classic flight on 09-11-2005,the aircraft has been with 39 Squadron at Marham.

Thanks to Jon Corley of the Classic flight for the photgraph.

Thank you also to Richard Blencowe for this lovely photograph of WJ874 Canberra T.4 arriving at Coventry on 09-11-2005.At least it is hoped to keep this aircraft flying for future generations to see in the air,recent deep engine maintenance has been performed at Coventry on this aircraft.

The curtain finally comes down as the Canberra makes its last operational flight.

An era almost unmatched in RAF history comes to an end today, Friday 23 June 2006 , when two Canberra PR9 aircraft of No. 39(1 PRU) Squadron landed back at their home base, Royal Air Force Marham in Norfolk , for the final time.

Their return from what is the aircraft's final ever deployment marks the end of operational service for the Canberra, the first variant of which took its maiden flight in 1949.

At the same time the curtain also comes down on No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron as it prepares to disband with due ceremony. The retirement of the Canberra,and the disbandment of the Squadron, signal the end of an operational career unequalled by any other aircraft in the Service - almost two thirds of the time that the RAF has been in existence.

A 39 (1 PRU) Sqn Canberra departs to carry out a mission during the aircraft's last operational detachment, once again in the Gulf Region.

And right to the end, the Canberra has been providing invaluable information to those pursuing peaceful objectives overseas - this time the Canberras and 39 Squadron have spent the last five months in the Middle East flying dangerous missions on an almost daily basis. Furthermore in the last few years 39 (1 PRU) Sqn and the Canberra have been deployed almost constantly on operations around the world, providing high quality imagery to a variety of 'customers'.

Originally conceived at the end of the Second World War, the Canberra was introduced to the RAF as its first jet bomber in 1951, replacing such stalwarts as the Avro Lincoln and Washington (lend-lease Boeing B-29 Superfortress), and it went on to fulfil just about any requirement that could be devised for one aircraft type.

Canberra PR9 navigator Wing Commander Clive Mitchell, is the current, and final, RAF officer to be in charge of 39 (1 PRU) Sqn. He has a lengthy, if interrupted, association with the aircraft. Speaking during the Squadron's final operational deployment he reflected on the aircraft and the Squadron's many achievements:

"I joined the RAF in 1982 and, on completion of my navigator training was posted to 100 Sqn at RAF Wyton where I had my first experience of the aircraft, flying five different marks of Canberra over a three-year period,"he said.

"The Canberra is a classic airframe. What can you say about it? It first flew in 1949 and here we are in 2006 and it's still flying operationally and will be until five weeks before it retires."

Distinguished history

The design of the Canberra began in 1944 at English Electric in Preston . It entered RAF service on 25 May 1951 as a medium bomber, although photographic reconnaissance (PR) variants appeared soon after. The prototype PR9 flew for the first time on 08 July 1955 .

39 Squadron was equipped with PR Canberras from July 1958, receiving its first PR9 version in October 1962 which it flew until May 1982 when it

disbanded at RAF Wyton. The Squadron reformed at Wyton in July 1992 as 39 (1 PRU) Sqn, again with Canberra PR9s, subsequently moving to its current home at RAF Marham soon after.

The Canberra bomber wings in the United Kingdom propelled Bomber Command into the jet age, and paved the way for the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor strategic V-bombers - all of which the Canberra was destined to outlive in RAF service.

Wg Cdr Mitchell has a deep appreciation of the Canberra 's illustrious

history:"The aircraft entered service in 1951 with 101 Squadron at Binbrook. It's since served on 26 different stations, with 63 squadrons and, of course,I've got the last three in service, still on operations right up until they retire."

At a time when such a historic aircraft is about to retire it would be easy to let emotions take over practical considerations. But how important has the aircraft really been to the UK?

"I think the fact that we're still operating them in the Middle East speaks for itself. If it didn't have a use, then it wouldn't be flying any more. In the last ten years, particularly, it's really come into its own and has been producing great imagery for all sorts of people."

Canberra - your flexible friend with the exception of the reconnaissance function, the main Canberra period was drawing to a close from about 1970, and many aircraft were converted to perform secondary roles, which they did for many more years. Functions included radar calibration, unmanned target drones and target towing aircraft used by both the RAF and Royal Navy, as well as electronic countermeasures and electronic warfare training, and a considerable number of airframes engaged over the years on a wide variety of trials work.

It is, however, in the photographic reconnaissance role that the Canberra has secured its place in aviation history. Taskings during the Cold War in support of NATO security were interspersed with deployments to some exotic locations, undertaking surveying and mapping of foreign countries. There were also taskings in support of the civilian community, such as supporting police investigations.

For Wg Cdr Mitchell, this flexibility - the fact that it has flown in so many different roles - speaks for itself:"It does and the crews who fly it may be old but they are very good at the jobs they do and what they're required to do. I know some of our coalition partners who have provided us with (photography) equipment have been surprised at the results we've achieved with their equipment.

"The fact we're flexible, we can move around where the weather is good, we can change things at a moment's notice on a sortie to produce what's required to get the job done."

A sad day

How does Wg Cdr Mitchell feel being in charge when the aircraft and the Squadron come to an end?

"Obviously it's a huge honour. I'm the last in a line of 307 commanding officers of Canberra squadrons, and to take it out of Service in such a high profile manner, being on operations right up until the end doing a very useful job, is just a huge privilege and responsibility."

And will he shed a tear when Squadron disbands and the aircraft leaves Service?

"Personally I think it's going to be very sad. I have characters on the Squadron who have been flying the aircraft for many years with thousands of flying hours. I'm relatively new, having only done two tours with around 1,400 hours, but it will still be a very sad moment when it finally goes.

"I know from some of the things I'm organising there's a huge groundswell of opinion towards the Canberra , people love it and they would love to see it on the airshow circuit.

"In many ways we do miss the halcyon days of the 1950s when the aircraft was breaking all sorts of records. The Canberra has always been the bridesmaid and never the bride. So it's going to be very sad that something that's been flying for two thirds of the time of powered flight has finally got to retire.

Heritage

"Many people have forgotten the heritage the Canberra has. When it first came into Service it held the record for the first double crossing of the

Atlantic and in a single day (26 August 1952), several altitude records (70,310 ft. 28 Aug 1957), as well as winning the New Zealand air race 8/9 Oct 1953.

"Since then it's had many achievements. Its got an historic past and mostpeople have forgotten exactly what it has accomplished, as well as the fact that it is still a very capable aircraft today."

Summing up the Canberra 's many achievements and its contribution to military aviation Wg Cdr Mitchell said:"I think if you look at all the roles it has performed and the variants we have had it has been available in every role from a low altitude bomber to a high altitude reconnaissance platform and it's still doing the job 56 years after it came into Service, and doing the job very effectively. If you consider it has been around for 60% of the RAF's history it really is immense."

Key events to mark the retirement of the Canberra and the disbandment of 39

(1PRU) Squadron are as follows:

1st/2nd July Waddington Airshow

15th/16th July RIAT, RAF Fairford

27th July RAF Marham Families Day

28th July Squadron disbandment parade (including final flypast)

30th July Laying-up of squadron standard, St Clement Danes Church

Related Links

Canberra PR9

39 (1 PRU) Squadron

English Electric

23rd June 2006

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Reno takes to the air again,as a film !

An aircraft parade, a dead tradition for almost 30 years, returned to Virginia Street for the filming of a love story Wednesday night.

"Thunder Over Reno," a movie currently in production, is based at the Reno Air Races, held since 1964.

The silver wings of Cloud Dancer, a P-51D Mustang, gleamed in the setting sun as the producers and directors of the film gathered in a parking lot on Sixth and Virginia streets before the parade.

"There is history here," said Rob Challans the executive producer of the film. "We are trying to revive the atmosphere so this parade can take place again."

Michael Houghton, Reno Air Racing Association president and CEO, said the parade was part of the national championship races until the late 1970s, when the bureaucracy and expense of the event became too much for the association.

"It's coming back just for the movie," Houghton said. "When Hollywood wants to do something, they can make it happen."

He said the event wouldn't be back for good unless it can get sponsors.

The movie is the brain child of writer and director Mitch Carley, who came up with the idea in 1992 out of his enthusiasm for racing and Reno, Challans said.

Production began at last year's air race. The movie is expected to go into post-production in September after the 2006 Air Races.

Challans said he hopes the film will be released in theaters in early summer 2007. He said some distributors have contacted the crew, but producers and the director are saving that conversation until the film is finished.

"We wanted to keep the artistic integrity before we started to talk to people," Challans said.

The parade featured many famous planes in the film, including the F2G Corsair, a rare plane that was restored by film producer Bob Odegaard. The plane won the 1949 Cleveland Air Races, a competition that folded that year after a plane flew into a house.

"I guess I'd always dreamt about being involved in an flying movie," Odegaard said. "I just never thought I'd get involved this deep."

Challans and Odegaard said they wanted to produce an entertaining family film.

"It's the classic love slash drama issue," Challans said. "But the unique thing about this is it is set on the backdrop of Reno and the Reno Air Races."

 

[Guest]

so this film is currently under production?? any idea of when it will hit our cinemas?

great stuff Barry!

how many people on here still think barry should make this into a book....say ai!

there must be someone on this forum with connections with agents/publishers...etc???!!!!

 

[Guest]

As long as Barry still has time to write for us!!!!

 

[wonwinglo]

***No matter how many web sites I make in the future,this is my home amongst friends,those are the people that I enjoy writing for most,rest assured there is some exciting material to come !

As long as Barry still has time to write for us!!!!

 

[wonwinglo]

***The film is currently being made in Reno,it will be a love story as well as the dramatic flying shots of the P-51's and modified fighters with clipt wings and big motors,any new aviation related film is worth waiting for,has anyone heard anything about 'Flyboys' a WW1 film made in the UK last year ? most films do not need to hit the big screen first these days,the revenue is quickly recouped with home viewing DVD's.

so this film is currently under production?? any idea of when it will hit our cinemas?

 

[Guest]

i think it is comming out on dvd soon barry as i have seen it avliable for illegal download...and they usually get it a month or two/week or two before it is released on dvd.

god knows how they get them!!???

 

[wonwinglo]

Probably sitting in a cinema RJ with the camera pointed at the screen ? then someone stands up and appears in the film as well !!

There will always be pirates,I only want the original genuine DVD that someone has worked hard to produce,and above all deserves the rewards for the risks they undertook in producing the film.

Producing those replicas alone cost a small fortune.

Let us know if you see it on the shelves,thank you RJ.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Apache helicopters with Singapore Air Force-Official

The Apache attack squadron was officially inaugurated at Sembawang Air Base on Monday, adding a new dimension to the Singapore Armed Forces war-fighting capabilities.

It will enhance the SAF's third-generation capability, especially in integrated operations between the air force and army.

Armed with the Longbow radar and Hellfire missiles, the AH-64D Apache helicopters pack a mean punch.

These lean, mean fighting machines proved their mettle during Exercise Forging Sabre in the Mojave Desert last year.

While the Peace Vanguard detachment remains in the US for training, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said that it was also timely to establish the squadron in Singapore to train and operate in Singapore's own environment.

So Sembawang Airbase is now home to the 120 Squadron.

Minister Teo said: "The Apache attack helicopters bring the SAF a true third-generation capability as they seamlessly integrate with fighter aircraft, sensors such as unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery, armour and troops on the ground. The networking of the various systems and platforms will give the SAF a quantum leap in total capability.

And the squadron is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

LTC Sew Chun Liang, Commanding Officer of RSAF's 120 Squadron, said: The aircraft is already network-ready now. What we need to do to move ahead is to do more training, more integration with our SAF, especially the army units, to maximise the potential of the aircraft, in order to achieve in the future what SAF needs in the 3G transformation.

The Apache attack helicopters will make their first official appearance over the skies of Singapore at this year's National Day Parade fly-past.

There are also plans for the helicopters to take part in Exercise Wallaby in Australia at the end of the year.

 

[Guest]

so this film is currently under production?? any idea of when it will hit our cinemas?great stuff Barry!

how many people on here still think barry should make this into a book....say ai!

there must be someone on this forum with connections with agents/publishers...etc???!!!!

Just a thought why dont we all put a bit towards it and publish it ourselves Now that would be a super way of saying thanks :respect1:

 

[Guest]

well it would be great but i for one have aboslutly no idea on how to go about publishing a book!

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Jet Fighter flying on the cheap.

http://www.brchobbies.com/?page=shop&action=additem&item=140&PHPSESSID=9efd2877352292a40c09fd4d8244feeb

You do not need to spend thousands of pounds or dollars on jet turbines to enjoy flying modern jet fighters,there is another excellent way to get airborne,take a look at the video above,small depren Eurofighters doing everything that jets are good at.

Note also the low speed handling characteristics of these small models.

 

[Guest]

absolutly boody marvalous!!!!

argh barry now youv gone and done it!!!!

Im getting myself one of them!!!

...although it seems like the kit comes with everything needed by the way they have worded it. But it does not say exactly what is in the kit (like does it come with a transmitter, or all the rest of the electronics for that matter!!!)

an e-mail is going there way.

thanks for the link Barry!!!

 

[wonwinglo]

***RJ,Great eh ! pity that we did not live closer because we could rip the sky up with these,the kits are minus the radio,you will need somer micro servos,these are cheap enough these days you can get deals on multiple buys,best thing to do is approach a shop and ask them to sell you a radio set with micro receiver and servos,even approach BRC they will probably be able to do a deal,you will have hours of fun with one of these little buzz bombs,they wqill also tolerate a bit of breeze better than the slow flying models.

absolutly boody marvalous!!!!argh barry now youv gone and done it!!!!

Im getting myself one of them!!!

...although it seems like the kit comes with everything needed by the way they have worded it. But it does not say exactly what is in the kit (like does it come with a transmitter, or all the rest of the electronics for that matter!!!)

an e-mail is going there way.

thanks for the link Barry!!!

 

[Guest]

ok...i know nothing about RC so any chance you could pm me the details (best kind of transmitter, exact type of servos....etc)

then once i have it all i have no idea how to install it all and make it work!

lol....only one way to learn though eh!