Weekly report No.229

Aircraft at Bitteswell: Canberra WD.933 (AS Sa.115/119) Only one flight possible this week for checks on the fuel pump governor with restrictor at 3,000 and 6,000 ft confirmed the results obtained on the Lancastrian aircraft. Sapphire/Lancastrian VM.733 (AS Sa.99/98) Checked the 7th stage compressor air for bearing cooling at high altitudes. Sapphire/Meteor WA.820 (AS Sa.105/108) ground checks on the third stage of nacelle cooling tests have been completed. Gannet VR.557 (DM.213) Low altitude flights only due to averse weather conditions. Both PCUs had been modified by Rotols to prevent coarse valve stiction, trouble was again experienced on the port unit after having been shut down for 30 minutes. Wyvern VW.868 (ASP.115) 30-hour airframe inspection completed. Mamba Dakota KJ.839 (ASZ.166/168) Two flights completed for jet pipe temperature control tests confirmed a 7 deg reduction in controlling temperature over a period of 1.5 hours. Lancastrian SW.342 (Viper and Mamba) return of the Viper is still awaited. Javelin WD.808 (Sa.116/117) Flight testing for resonance has been continued. Javelin WT.827 (Sa.124/126) Being prepared for flight. Hunter WB.202 (Sa.123) Dunsfold. Should fly next week. Victor WB.771 (Sa.121/122/125/133) Boscombe Down. Flight testing for clearance rom Boscombe Down is continuing. No engine snags. Gannet WE.488 (DM.205) White Waltham. Airframe modofications are proceeding and should be completed next week. Gannet VR.546 (DM.214) After an abnormal drop in engine speed, approximately 240 rpm when the FFPS was withdrawn on the starboard unit, and also when the port unit was stopped in the air, it was decided to change the propellers. Gannet WE.488 (DM.205) Airframe modifications proceeding. Wyvern aircraft VZ. 751, VZ.752, VZ.753, VZ.755 are being prepared and are in the final stagesof clearance for hand-over to the Navy. Apollo VX.220 Boscombe Down. Hydraulic system is still being modified