Holeology

[Laurieg]

Before I admit to not knowing this I have to point out that even the all powerful, knowledgeable, Oh great exhalted ones, (these being the guys that put me through the grinder during GE training - Bill & Rowan to name a couple), did not pass the info on, okay

Just back from the Hyd servicing panel there is another twin-catched panel. In the words of the 'holeology' part of our u/t walkarounds, what is it for

Would you believe not even our BAe types knew!

[Jelle Hieminga]

Hmm, remind me, where is the hydraulic servicing panel? On the right rear fuselage?

[Laurieg]

Yup, Jelle. That's the one. All the training GE's use to ask us the question and I used to do the same with my U/T's but I cannot remember what it was for.

[Jelle Hieminga]

Working from my unreliable memory and a photo or two there are two panels there, an oval one just below the right engine pylon and a rectangular one a bit lower down. Just a guess but if one is the hydraulic servicing panel, isn't the other one the toilet servicing panel for the now defunct rear toilet group?

[Laurieg]

The rear toilets are serviced from the other side, under the left pylon. (boy, do I remember that one! Always remember to look for a blue streak running back from the panel before you open it, and then check which way the wind was blowing Someone could ask Mark Jones what happened to me in Orlando when I was a U/T - you only do once).

[Globetrotter]

Rear toilets are serviced from both sides, urinal included with left bog.

Little panel was for a proposed Nitrogen rapid start??
BW, you're the holeology expert, what do you remember?

Just to confirm, what type of Ten are we talking about?

[Shag Frazer]

Hi Guys, 'that' panel! right hand side rear of the Hydraulic servicing panel, was for access to the connection for a dry air start of No three engine (VC10 Cmk1). Most have been removed but there are still a few knocking about! If you open it all you will see is riveted skin! Still catching some of the junior GE's out with that one!

How about the conduit that runs down the length of the rear of each main leg and ends in an inverted 'V' above the walking joints, with a knearled cap screwed on each end??

Regards

Shag

[Steve W]

Shag,

Was that not for the electric brake cooling fans - which I don't think were ever fitted?

Incidently Laurie you should have done more taining with me as I always made a point of asking those sort of questions.

Steve W

[Bill Ward]

That small fuselage panel is a throwback to when #3 engine could be fitted with a combustor starter system The panel served as the location for the external HP air supply connector. On start, the air was delivered, mixed with fuel and ignited within the engine mounted combustor where the air impinged on a small turbine which engaged with the HP compressor similar to the air starter used today. The air bottles were either carried in the a/c, prepositioned or provided by the handling agent. Since then the introduction of the aircraft mounted APU Artouste and the ground start Palouste meant compressed air could be delivered, via the airframe anti-icing system, to the inlet of each engine start valve. There was even the introduction of a direct start connection in the delivery duct between the engine start valve and the starter motor. This meant that a set of air bottles could be used to get one engine running to crossbleed start the rest without the complication of having to fix or replace a busted APU or, in those days, waiting for delivery of a ground air start truck.

That's the good thing about being able to 'buddy' start a C130 engine when a starter motor fails. I've also known engines to be started on takeoff or in the cruise and for an a/c to fly a circuit (having started an engine on takeoff), land, refuel with engines running, board passengers and then takeoff again. Those were the days when those of us actually doing the job made the decisions!!

Good answer Steve. Hey Laurie, after the P7 ambient and battery vent there wasn't much else to remember on the stbd side of the fuselage that wasn't labelled until you got to that panel. You must have just forgot!!

I can see this is going to be one of those threads.

Regards

Bill

[Laurieg]

Bill, Steve,

I wouldn't mind betting that all the labels were taken off just before we started our course I don't think I forgot, I think it was Brian Purser keeping my up all night on a route when Kev Wilson passed me onto him, too many rum punches and the slippery slide to the darker side I will never forgive him for that

[Bill Ward]

Hi Laurie,

I remember being on a RCDS trip with Brian, and on landing at Oslo the doors opened to rain hitting the steps like stair rods. The pax were a mix of the usual bunch of 'numb nuts' with an admiral hesitant to lead them off due to the precipitation and he being in full dress uniform. Brian was then heard to quip 'you ought to be used to this in your line of work' to which the admiral 'hurrumphed' and left the a/c to titters from his entourage and was instantly pounded into a sodden mess. Great days!!

Regards

Bill

[Steve W]

Brian certainly had a way with words - the badge that he wore inside his jacket summed him up "I sorry you've mistaken me for someone who gives a s**t". Happy days indeed!


Steve