of broom handle that serves as footrests!
Another 1904 bike (which can be seen in the corridor between the Campbell and ERA Sheds) is Bill Whiteley’s beautifully restored 3hp Humber. Bill plans to run this bike at Montlhéry as well. He is experimenting to get the right spring pressure for the ‘automatic’ inlet valve in order to get the fuel flow right. Then it will be a matter of getting some miles under the wheels for bike and rider to get to know each other.
The AJS ‘Big Port’ in the ERA Shed, which was used for demonstrations for several seasons, should be available for use again this year because
MOTORING VOLUNTEERS Alvis
The engine has been reassembled and placed back in the car. The entire front end of the vehi- cle, which has to be dismantled in order to get the engine out, has also been rebuilt. It is quite a tricky job lining up the wings, radiator and cowl and getting all the bolts and nuts to fit! The engine was started for the first time in December and, after some minor adjustments, ran perfectly. With a small water leak fixed she has been run around the site on a number of occasions and is now ready to go back on display in the Museum.
BMC bowser
The roof was painted in its authentic yellow at the end of November.
Land Rover ambulance
During a recent check-over it was noticed that the head gasket is failing. It will be replaced in due course.
Mercury MD40 tug
The fuel tank was repaired again and refitted. However, whilst testing the repair drips were observed from another area of the tank. Following further inspection it was decided that the metal is now too flimsy to be successfully welded so the decision was made to send it off-site to a metal fabricator who will cut out and replace the offending area. Meanwhile ‘Eddie’ sits high on his axle-stands awaiting its return.
Mercury tug
The little tug has been rubbed down and given a coat of primer while we await a decision on the final colour.
Aircraft Factory equipment
As I write the BAC Romanian (or ‘ROMBAC’) lathe is nearing completion. The matt paint has
63
The Alvis on the day she came out of the work- shop (Paul Wheaton). been applied and all bare metal treated with a wax-oil to prevent rust pitting. The red 'power' flashes have been painted on the control panel door and red oxide has been painted on the space beneath the head. It will now be moved to a storage area pending display in the new Machine Shop exhibit in the Aircraft Factory.
The list of artefacts for display continues to
grow. We have just finished cleaning a Bakelite telephone and four time-card holders. These are mostly of aluminium construction and will provide a good comparison of ‘old’ and ‘new’ when mounted next to the older wooden variety mentioned in the previous Bulletin. We have just taken delivery of a sack-trolley which will be cleaned and treated. Next, a brace of tool chests are expected from the stores for processing.
Debbie Crawt
the owner, Jim Gardiner, has given the go-ahead for the team to fabricate a replica petrol tank for track use, the original to be re-fitted for static show at the Museum. Peter Driver, our cut ’n’ weld expert, has taken on the job.
Finally, a sour note. One of our team purchased a genuine, vintage Senspray carburettor for the Zenith Gradua which he is readying for road-based outreach events. He left it behind, unintentionally, in the Volunteers’ area in the Clubhouse and it disappeared. In spite of repeated appeals it has not been returned. What a shame!
Michael Sands Update
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