1. We have fabricated a replacement pitot head tube from 2024-T3 tube and machined a new attachment lug to replace the original which was corroded and cracked beyond repair. Also modified and existing eye bolt to make a replacement radio wire attach bolt for the fin.

2. Pilots seat obtained from Glyn Powell stock. Seat disassembled completely for repairs. Back plate armour bead blasted and treated to remove surface rust. Surface treated and painted. Seat pan panel beaten back to shape and patch repaired as required. Corrosion treated, primed and top coat painted. Seat pan support struts and other steel items bead blasted and cadmium plated. Arm rests paint stripped, treated and repainted interior green. Seat rise and fall lever assembly dismantled. Recoverable steel items plated. New seat pivot bushings, shouldered bolts and shaft for latch button made from original patterns. Steel cross tube corrosion removed and assembly is awaiting the return of the plated components before final assembly can occur and painting completed.

3. Cockpit and gun heating air boxes overhauled. Recoverable steel items straightened and weld repaired as required before cad plating. Requires replacement rubber and felt seals fitting.

4. Cockpit entry door steel components overhauled and repaired as required.

5. Engine throttle and pitch control torque tube assembly overhaul has begun. Awaiting new bearings and taper pins prior to reassembly.

6. Brackets for elevator and rudder cables at bulkhead #5 refurbished.

7. Overhaul of the rudder and elevator control cable differential assembly has begun. Assembly dismantled and all bearings removed. Steel components have had the corrosion removed and sent for plating. Counter balance weight weld repaired and all components painted and now await final assembly.

8. Trailing aerial winch assembly overhaul begun. Recoverable parts have been tidied up, but the assembly is missing the cable drum and winding gear.

9. Lids for the 20mm ammo boxes have been cleaned and prepared for re-attaching the catches.

Woodwork

The work for this month obviously centered around the joining of the fuselage halves. Before they were able to do that they had to complete the ferrule installation, seal and paint the inside of the fuselage halves. With these jobs completed we were able to remove the shells from the support cradles and offer them onto the center support fixture. This fixture secures at the wing attach points and ensures the two halves are correctly aligned.

Since the two halves have been mated together, work has been directed at the splice joint, and the installation of the various floor structures. Each bulkhead has also been joined and the splice plates fitted.

With the halves together, it is now possible to fit the wing cut out side panels, the canopy frame and the rear bulkhead .Work continues on those areas. Work has also gone into fitting the forward gun doors.