 Museum’s
Anson Restoration Project
By
Colin Ainsworth, Project Leader
31
December, 2004
The
past month we have been concentrating on installing the fuselage
stringers underneath the cabin floor. This work must be
completed before the wooden outer
panels can be fitted. This work entailed Ernie, Mike, and Keith having
to measure and manufacture each of these stringers prior to
installing them below the cockpit floor back to the rear of the
aircraft cabin.
During
this period Chuck manufactured the last round window required to
complete the nose section. The window is located at the front of
the  nose section and secured to the nose assembly by twelve screws,
nuts and washers, and an aluminum outer ring. The
first window that was installed cracked due to plexiglass being too
thin. It was then decided to try and manufacture another one using a
thicker material. The plexiglass first has to be cut on a bandsaw and
rounded to shape on a disk sander, then the twelve holes are drilled
and the outer ring fitted, by using a thicker material the problem
was solved.
Craig
finished painting all the wooden fuselage frames for us and the aircraft
is progressing nicely. Craig is a student at West Kings High School
and spends a few hours each week working on the restoration
Jerry
and Peter, beadblasted all the engine rocker covers required for the two
engines. These were then shipped over to Dustin, Phil and Mark, to be
installed on the two engines. Over the past few weeks #1
engine has had the pistons, and cylinders installed, while #2
engine has had the exhaust, pushrods, spark plugs, and oil lines
installed.
This
past twelve months has seen a great deal of progress made on the
restoration project; the plan for 2005 is to install the aircraft flying
control cables and electrical wiring, and the fuselage covered with
fabric.
On
December 21 we were fortunate to host thirteen veterans from the
Veterans Hospital in Middleton. We really enjoy their visits and look
forward to their next visit in the spring.
This
month "Anson Trivia" is the story of the Anson's reputation
for safety.
The
following excerpt is from the book "Wings for Victory" by
Spencer Dunmore, Page 124.
The
Anson had an amazing reputation for safety; Frazer Gardner remembers
seeing one "literally fly into the ground" in a low-flying
area near No 5 SFTS, Brantford, Ontario. Although the crash demolished
the Anson, the instructor, student, and a passenger emerged from the
remains and walked away unhurt. One night of extremely stormy weather
saw an Anson instructor and his student end their trip "still
sitting in their seats, side by side high up in a large tree. The
aircraft had completely disintegrated around them, neither man bore a
scratch,” Gardner adds.
Next
month "Anson Trivia" will start the service history of the
Avro Anson from its conception in 1934 until the end of the war in 1945.
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