This week at the workshop I made a start on stripping and cleaning the control column assembly ('before' photos below) It seems to be complete and it looks like I'll be able to reuse most if not all of the components. This is the first column I've been able to get my hands on so while it's in bits I'm going to take some measurements and knock up some CAD files so I can get replacements made up if required.
All the CAD files for the project will be shared free of charge (without any kind of warranty, obviously!)
On Saturday I went over to RAF Cosford for an event ogranised by the Royal Aeronautical Society , a conference on the Hawker Hunter. This was a really interesting series of talks covering a variety of subjects from the political background at the time of the Hunter's development, through Neville Duke's speed records, the 'what if' supersonic Hunter development and some very interesting talks by former Hunter pilots from Switzerland and the UK. It was also a nice 'networking' opportunity and it was great to meet up with Ray Deacon who has kindly provided me with some of the photos of XL609 in service and also to chat with David and Amanda who own XL565, a T7 based at Bruntingthorpe which they hope to restore to running condition, I hope to visit them (and their Hunter!) soon.
