It had been a long and hard year
of maintenance for Tina and her engineering team, starting soon after the August 2014 Open Day. No 2 engine was removed to replace all 10 fuel delivery nozzles spaced around the engine. Over time, the pin hole orifices in each nozzle had become increasingly blocked reducing fuel flow to the engine on start up. This resulted in high EGT before the engine became self sustaining and subsequent close down to prevent damage. Fortunately, the fuel nozzles inside the VC-10K Conway 310 engine could be used in the Victor – and a ready supply was at hand.
By the end of April No 2 engine was installed and initial ground runs up to 70% were encouraging. An anti-det run was scheduled on the runway in early May to test Tina’s long dormant systems and apply more power to No 2 engine. The aircraft systems were checked but full power checks were not possible as Tina developed a CSDU oil leak and was towed back to dispersal for rectification.Time had run out- so it was all or nothing for the Open Day!
Saturday 23rd May was the last chance to test Tina before the event on the 24th May. The engineering team prepped the aircraft all morning and Tina was towed out onto the taxiway at 4pm for a full rehearsal. No 2 engine behaved perfectly- a great testament to the skill and dedication of the
engineering team. All systems were exercised after start and on the taxy to the runway- all working well. Unfortunately we were beaten onto the runway by a Buccaneer which then blew a tyre partially blocking one half of the runway. The aborted take off run was not possible but No 2 engine was taken up to 90% and all indications were normal- excellent. Tina was then taxied to the threshold and pushed back into position for turn the next day.
After the anti-det run the team gathered for some light refreshment whilst the aircrew signed the first 20 prints of Jon Westwood’s painting of XL189 ‘Home at Last’ for sale at the Open Day and subsequently online to help keep Tina running.
The Open Day dawned with blustery wet weather, forecast for most of the morning. After the Nimrod run Tina’s engineering team started prepping, oils, pressures and checking the engine intakes for foreign objects. They were satisfied that Tina was ready and at 1.30 the aircraft was towed on to the runway threshold. Power was connected and the AAPP started to provide the air to start the serviceable engines. All was good and about 2pm the aircraft moved forward for the brake and nose wheel steering test. The crew were satisfied all was good and briefed for the run with an abort speed of 90 knots. The power was gently increased and kept symmetrical with a lot of coaxing. At 88% power, the brakes were released and Tina started accelerating down the runway.
The engines continued to power up to
maximum, noting that No 2 engine reached 98% – wonderful. At 90 knots, the throttles were closed, airbrakes extended and the brake parachute streamed. Everything worked perfectly and as the aircraft slowed, the brake chute was jettisoned near the recovery vehicle. Tina cruised past the fast turn off, backtracked the runway and taxied back towards the dispersal. Brendon was on hand to indicate the shut down point and the run was over.
Just time to climb out, congratulate the ground crew on a well prepared aircraft and pose for some photos to celebrate the day.
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Life started as a high altitude nuclear bomber and finished as a tanker
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Dave, Roger and Roy in discussion - Amanda eavesdropping
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Terry preparing to dip the refueller - plenum chamber access open
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Terry on his air guitar
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Seems to have dropped 20p down the hatch
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Getting ready to dip - or recover his 20p!!
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At times like this you wish for an air rifle
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Job done. 20p found to spend in the Shires
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Power on, topping up the pressures
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Dennis giving both lad and us a bit of his valuable time
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Amanda dashed off for her marigolds before the spruce up starts
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Parked up early
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Tux explaining what he wants - Bob P listening in
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Roy - a quiet study
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Roy and Amanda testing the strain of the tow bar before tow out
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Tested - successfully
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Terry and Mike - in the pan prepping for towing out
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Ground crew ready, marching purposefully towards Tina
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The team relaxing
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Chock carrier
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Attaching the tow arm - Frank and Amanda
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Saturday - ready to tow
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Saturday - towing out for engine starts
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Nice one of Amanda
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Saturday - on the taxiway disconnecting the tow arm
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Preparing for power on
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Roger with things on his mind
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Frank shows off his clean gloves
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Hive of activity prior to crew in
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Power on
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AAPP started, finished with ground power
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Preparations for starting
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Power on and disconnecting the tow arm
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The Crew Boss arrives showing the direction Tina will taxi
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Engine intake checks
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Crew Boss arranging his front end
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Ready for engine start for the anti det run on Saturday
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AAPP start and fire cover
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Looking good to taxi
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Brendon and spaghetti
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Amanda - chocks away
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On our way - most systems working
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The Saturday taxi for check and positioning
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Taxiing for the Saturday check run
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Burst tyre on the runway - bad luck and a long night
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Olly crewing in
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Debrief on Saturdays practice
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Justine, Glynn and Terry share a moment
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Multi briefings - we can multi task
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The team have a free for all discussion
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Not another war story!!
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Gently decant my wine before flight
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The start up crew preparing
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and then you did what? - Justine recounting her evening
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All sober-ish and raring to go
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At 90 knots I will smile and wave - you press this
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The team gathering for the Open Day
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Bob checking how much red wine Terry drank at the Shires
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I'm sure I left the tyre here
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Taxi - anyone for the Plough
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The surviving crew who flew XL189 in support of Black Buck 1
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The brake chute for the run is selected
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Terry and Dave providing the muscle to load the drag bag
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All alone and forgotten
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Waiting our turn can be boring
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Amanda starting a search
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The B team plot
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The Dacre team looking for FOD pre starting
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Amanda finding possible airflow restriction to the engine
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Where's my husband?
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He was here a moment ago Terry
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Terry and Mike in deep eng speak
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Terry explaining the fuel restriction to Bob whilst Mike snoozes
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The blocked orifice
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Brendon crew chiefing
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Reconnecting ground power for start up on the runway
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Very smart ground crew - Tina on the runway
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The engine door proving troublesome on Open Day
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Roy is obviously up for it - his audience awaits
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Frank - bagman for Brendon, crew on board
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Frank having a little trouble securing the last fasteners
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AAPP start - normal but fiery
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Lined up, calling for power on
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Brakes off and rolling
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About 60 knots accelerating towards decision speed
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Full power and rolling
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Throttles closed, airbrakes out, chute streamed
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Applying brakes and slowing
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Approaching the chute recovery team
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Brendon signalling that all is well
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Airbrakes open, jettison shortly
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Chute recovery vehicle about to enter the runway
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A team shot after the Open Day run
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The team - minus one!!
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Dave Walton joins some of the team stalwarts
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The full Monty - the team supporting Teasin' Tina 2015
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