Thread: Making an aeroplane in Australia 1941

I'd give my left one for a trip in a Spitfire, and you?

The Spitfire and the Lancaster - Australian Documentary - YouTube

Ken

There were many great aircraft of WW2 by both the Axis and Allies.

Some great videos on YouTube to be seen.

I recon the Mustang is a beautiful aircraft.

Rob

Great video. We had some pretty impressive (and less so) aircraft activity during the war era. On a similar subject, I've got this little relic sitting on my shelf as an ornament. Found it amongst an old lot of stuff we had at work. Still in original 'tropic pack' seal, I've no idea what the tool itself is, and I'll never open it! Date on the label states 11/6/56. I've got a soft spot for all these olde-worlde preserved items I come across.

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Originally Posted by desbromilow

Yes that is the theory - the metal (think Cerrobend) goes in to stop the tubing collapsing during the bending, and then the tubing is heated afterwards and the filler metal flows out.

Those filler metals are collectively known as fields metal, or woods metal - based on the alloying metal used (Bismuth, or Ismuth, etc) - with the explosion of LCD based electronics (touch screens, etc) the price on those alloying metals has climbed dramatically - making it more expensive to find large quantities of the cerrobend metals.

If anyone has a cheap source in Oz, please let me know since I have a couple of jobs where I need around 2-3 Kg of it.

Thanks,
Des

Was trying to remember the name of the stuff a little while back on here, asked a mate if he'd heard of it - called it plumber's metal.....of course, the plumbing supply I asked only had blank stares and I imagine the cadmium content probably got it banned.

It's unlikely, but you may try Argo Engineering on this coast, apparently they used it bending watercooled exhausts on bridge to bridge boats donkey's years ago and may still have some perhaps?

Originally Posted by morrisman

BTW the later 1960's GAF STOL NOMAD aeroplane suffered tail fatigue and several fatal crashes resulted .... not a good promo for Aust. built planes Mike

Tail vibrations were something to behold and subject to endless mods forthcoming from the authorities! Other faults, crud Allison engines which were barely capable in typical Aussie climate, horrific seating in the 22 once they discovered crew were in the firing line when things went wrong - 24 was better in that regard, but performance was even worse....a retractable twin otter was something they should have aimed for.