Hi,
An update on my Sd50 restoration. Work continues on the tail fin (see previous post) I have now removed the seized cheese head screws that secure the tail fin onto the collar of the bomb casing. Many of these had to be drilled and removed by easy outs. Some come out without any trouble but the threads had rusted away completely. I have now sourced some new stainless steel M6 cheese heads form Namrick which are spot on to the original (except for being stainless). I will start repairing the missing section of the tail fin collar or housing soon, but will be very experimental so will keep you posted. I have also gently heated the casing and manged to realign the spilt casing ready for the repair work (it was slightly proud of the rest of the casing). I was a bit nervous heating this up as being mag alloy it might have been liable to catching fire!
This evening after a lot of 'tickling' I have successfully got the fuse locking rings to screw down. I originally thought this was going to be impossible as the locking ring would not bite evenly at all. With some careful tickling of the thread she eventually went. I have to say the god send was Satan18's locking rings which acted as its own tap being made of toughned steel.
I am now deciding whether to paint the casing or leave as is? as yet no luft or date stamps but some further cleaning required and they may turn up. The next stage is to tap and fit the lifting eye. I hope to be able (with some help) to source a new base plug and nose blank which will conclude the casing.
More to follow soon.
An update on my Sd50 restoration. Work continues on the tail fin (see previous post) I have now removed the seized cheese head screws that secure the tail fin onto the collar of the bomb casing. Many of these had to be drilled and removed by easy outs. Some come out without any trouble but the threads had rusted away completely. I have now sourced some new stainless steel M6 cheese heads form Namrick which are spot on to the original (except for being stainless). I will start repairing the missing section of the tail fin collar or housing soon, but will be very experimental so will keep you posted. I have also gently heated the casing and manged to realign the spilt casing ready for the repair work (it was slightly proud of the rest of the casing). I was a bit nervous heating this up as being mag alloy it might have been liable to catching fire!
This evening after a lot of 'tickling' I have successfully got the fuse locking rings to screw down. I originally thought this was going to be impossible as the locking ring would not bite evenly at all. With some careful tickling of the thread she eventually went. I have to say the god send was Satan18's locking rings which acted as its own tap being made of toughned steel.
I am now deciding whether to paint the casing or leave as is? as yet no luft or date stamps but some further cleaning required and they may turn up. The next stage is to tap and fit the lifting eye. I hope to be able (with some help) to source a new base plug and nose blank which will conclude the casing.
More to follow soon.
