| Boly
– May 2003
Picture
taken July 2003
In
Bolyland, the “Jig’s not up!” The Jig is actually
down. After many years of being a display piece, the jig for the
tailplane is gone. During the months of January and February work
was completed on riveting the re-skinned tailplane, rebuilding
and reattaching the leading edge and putting finishing touches
on the tailplane’s tip metalwork.
The
woodwork for these tips is currently being formed. A dry fitting
with the stern tub has been successfully carried out and the fin
was put in place. Everything fit!! Once the woodworking is completed,
we get the chance to put it all together again. However, in order
to attach the stern tub to the rear fuselage, the fin and tailplane
will be removed to lighten the load. The gun turret awaits the
glass work for the cupola. The glass for the turret is being crafted
by the skilled ‘glass masters’ from the Dakota Gang.
The turret itself has had a hydraulics test and passed it with
honours. A few minor touch ups, a repaint, glass installation,
and then the turret will be ready for installation.
Electrical
work is being done on the rear and front fuselage sections. The
pilots seat structure is undergoing refurbishment and reconstruction.
The structural rebuilding of the elevators is almost complete.
The ailerons and rudder are ready for fabric. The nacelle structure
and associated undercarriage hardware are being examined, tested,
refurbished/rebuilt and reassembled. The search for PW Twin Wasp
Junior engines continues with urgency
The
steel for the centre section spars was received last spring. Since
then it has undergone and passed rigorous testing. A local firm
bent the 20 foot spar steel lengths and formed the cornice work.
Work on the centre section spar steel fabrication (drilling and
riveting) will begin shortly. This will be a major work in progress
for some time.
As
you can see, life is busy in Bolyland. Cheers!
The
Bolingbroke Restoration Project began in the early 1980's when
CWHM acquired the remains of four Bolingbroke aircraft. In 1983
the remains of a further four Bolys were donated to CWHM. All
eight aircraft were, at this time, stored at St. Andrews airport
in Manitoba.
The
first two aircraft were shipped from St. Andrews to Hamilton in
1985. The remaining six aircraft arrived in 1987. By this time
the Boly crew consisted of five people. Most of the components
of the eight aircraft were stored outside, between the hangers.
By the fall of 1987 the project consisted almost entirely of sorting
parts, identifying and cataloging them. The Boly crew continued
to grow and in, 1988, public relations and fundraising activities
were started.
In
1989, detailed restoration work begun. The process of identifying
continued, while various components and sub-assemblies were being
restored. Major activities included the rebuilding of the turret
gun mechanism, and stripping both a front and a rear fuselage.
In
1991 work was begun on the centre section of the aircraft. Meanwhile,
a search for engines was proceeding and developmental activities
were underway for the rebuilding and installation of the hydraulic
and electrical systems. The particular engines that will be used
are Pratt & Whitney, SB-4G, R-1535, 14 cylinder twin Wasp
Juniors. Only 15 Bolingbrokes were built with these engines, and
all were flown by the "City of Hamilton" Squadron.
On
Monday, February 15, 1993 a fire at the Museum destroyed the north
half of Hanger 3. Six aircraft were destroyed in the south half
of the hanger, the Bolingbroke restoration area and shelves were
subjected to considerable water and smoke during the fire but
they had apparently escaped any serious damage.
Since
the fire the Bolingbroke project has increased its efforts to
restore this magnificent tribute to Canadian Aviation.
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