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Restoration of Comet 6477 XV148 |
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back to Nimrod prototype page |
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Needed Items
Nimrod lighting panels for Engineers section. If you can help out with anything, please contact me. |
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This page will track the restoration progress of Comet 6477 nose section from 2000.
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September 2008 |
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Light at the end of the tunnel!!! This year the electrics have been installed and finally late this summer, they were turned on. The flightdeck is now alive for the first time since 1982, here are some updated images.. |
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Before and after...1999 and now in 2008. |
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May 2007 |
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After several years of very slow progress, things are moving again. With the addition of more parts and better weather, the flight deck is coming together well. Following are several photographs taken in April 2007, it looks even better now!! |
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Taken in late April 2007, the side panels and centre pedestal are now restored and fitted. The empty flight panels are being used as templates for the completd panels which have been in storage for years.
Above the Pilots, more items have also been refitted such as servo handles and additional switches. |
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This aircraft had close to Nimrod Engineers panels. These have now been sourced and fitted. Some instruments and lighting front panels still to find. |
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This picture shows the new fabricated Navigators position with the fabric lining fitted. I may still change the colour from the standard Nimrod. |
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November 2001 |
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The British summer was a lot kinder this year and I was able to make good progress. The floor and substructure was sealed up and is now protected from the lements. I was also able to strip out the inside and clean, restore and paint most areas. Good progress was also made on many components such as panels and fittings and by the time paint work stopped in September most major items had been treated.
I was able to obtain the remaining control column as well as the rare DV window and many other smaller items.
Over the winter the flight deck is being gently heated and I have installed crystal de-humidifying which appears to be working so far. |
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The picture on the left show the roof panels which were treated and replaced. It provides a good comparison with the shot above which was taken last year.
The restoration of these panels took in excess of two months. |
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(Right) The flight deck taken in late September 2001 and below in August |
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MAY 2000 |
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Work has been slow but is progressing. During April and May I stripped out most removable panels, table racks and other items. These have sytematically been taken apart, sanded , cleaned and respayed before being oiled an reassembled ready to be returned to the flight deck later. Due to the extent of some corrosion some items have requied lenghty work with most items taking a good few hours of TLC. The results, although not perfect, are to almost new state and will provide a clean and smart appearance when placed back in XV148.
There is still major work to be done on the floor before major cleaning and painting cab begin inside. I hope to have this completed during the summer making the flight deck dry and secure for next winter. I am still in urgent need of window panels, (now done) |
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right, clearly demonstrating the process I am conducting to restore this flight deck. The Smiths flight systems rack was badly corroded and was missing much paint. After stripping down and using a power sanding tool the aluminium frame was restored to 85% new condition. Parts were resprayed and finally reassembled. |
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Above, the radio rack from above the pilotd head. Again , very dirty, geasy and corrosion on all the nuts and screws. After the pressure washer, wire brush and cleaner the rack is ready for a respray. The connectors are then also cleaned and painted black before oiling and reassembling. |
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Above, another roof panel after restoration. This is an electrical block panel from just above the Captains head. The panel was very greasy, corroded and all the bolts and nuts had rusted. |
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February 2000 |
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(right) The inside of the flight deck as I found it. Everything has been stripped providing quite a challenge, however I have collected many items so they are awaiting a new home. You will also notice that there is no windscreen panels, obviously something I need to address quickly. |
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(right) The Navigators table which will require some TLC and new paint !
This table will provide a workbench and station for projects later on during the electrical work.
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(above)The Engineers panels (or lack of them), again providing much work to be done.
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Right, the roof is now clear of almost all items and is ready for the wire brush, fibre glass repairs and a subseqent coat of paint. |
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Contact me if you can help |
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