G-ARRM
Beagle B206X:
The first prototype
After
years of neglect and being shunted from one location to another, this historic
aeroplane has returned to its birthplace.
Built
at Shoreham in 1961 by the Miles component of the Beagle organisation, it was
the forerunner of the RAF Basset light
communications aircraft fleet, as well as numerous civil examples, most of which
are still in service around the world.
This
aircraft is now undergoing a four-year preservation process and restoration to
‘pristine’ non-operational condition by a
team of volunteers.
G-ARRM
arrived back at Shoreham in May 2005 in time for the Beagle re-union. After that
highly successful event, it was moved into the hangar where it was originally
built with the kind permission of the airport management.
Some
essential preparatory work had to been done to halt the decline in the aircraft’s
general condition, and a project group was formed to ensure that the required parts, materials and
information could be gathered to move things
forward.
At
present there is limited access to the aircraft. However it is our intention to
provide more open and safe access when conditions
allow.
Due
to the damage sustained and unrecorded removal of parts over the years, repairs
were necessary to:
(a)
make the aircraft safe to work on, and;
(b)
prevent further deterioration.
Because
of the need to manufacture replacement components which would not be eligible to
be approved as airworthy and the general
deterioration of the internal systems, it is not possible to restore the
aircraft for flight. The aircraft is a unique
prototype and it’s value as an historical artefact renders it worthwhile
conserving as an important part of British
aviation history, specific to Shoreham Airport.
After
due consideration,any attempt to create a ground running status was deemed
unsafe. Having been dry for years, the sealing
of the integral wing fuel tanks and damaged fuel lines cannot be relied upon not
to leak fuel. The electrical system is
also in poor condition: a potentially explosive combination. In time, if things
are found to be in better shape than at
first thought, this might be re-considered.
Repairs
currently ‘in work’ or completed are:-
Rear
fuselage frame and tail bumper severely damaged by heavy contact with the
ground. (Careless handling in transit).
Rear
frame repaired. Tail bumper repaired and reinstalled.
Wing
trailing edges distorted forward of both flaps, and both engine nacelle lower
rear fairings stove in. (Avoidable handling
damage in transit).
Starboard
wing trailing edge upper skin has been removed, new skin installed.
Engine
nacelles. (Repairs to damaged nose fairings and rectification of internal
structural damage prior to installation of
engines).
Engine
cowlings. Rectification of distortion and replacement of damaged or missing Dzus
fasteners. (Fair wear and tear).
Engine
nacelle/wing inboard fillets. Rectification of surface deterioration. (Fair wear
and tear).
Rudder
lower torque tube and hinge assembly. (Corroded beyond limits. (Fair wear and
tear). New torque tube made and
Tailplane
actuator assembly. Overhauled and serviced to allow demonstration of the
variable incidence feature. This was an
unusual design feature in a light twin in the early 1960’s and is still
uncommon today. Production B206’s had a fixed
tailplane.
Wingtip
navigation lights. Starboard perspex lens to be repaired. Port nav light bulb
receptacle and half it’s mounting bracket
had been stolen from the aircraft prior to its arrival at Shoreham. A
replacement receptacle will have to be acquired.
A new bracket has been made and fitted.
Fin/fuselage
dorsal fillet. (Avoidable damage during transit).
Insertion repair carried out and original contour restored
with filler.
Future
projected work:-
Installation
of engines and propellers – when available.
Installation
of tailplane. Since this was ‘lost’ during the late 1960’s, and a suitable
replacement is not available, we have
decided to build a new one from scratch. The design drawings have been produced by Roy West who
was a member of the original Beagle design
office. When this is completed and fitted, we can fit the elevators.
Installation
of flaps. These mysteriously disappeared some time ago. A set will need to be
acquired from a production aircraft to be
adapted or new ones built from scratch.
Undercarriage
doors. All missing for some time action as above.
Tail
navigation light assembly (complete) missing. Replacement required.
Anti-collision
lights missing. Grimes type replacements required.
Cockpit/cabin
interior. Being refurbished. Instrument panel restoration almost complete. About
half of the instruments and switches were
missing, to be procured.
Interior
furnishings. Will need comprehensive re-upholstery and re-trimming.
All
cockpit/cabin transparent screens have suffered from the effects of ultra-violet
radiation. To be replaced or renovated to
the best achievable standard. The direct vision panel in the port windscreen has
been repaired pending a final
decision. One internal side window is cracked and will need to be replaced or
repaired.
Cabin
door. Handle assembly. Some replacement parts needed. Door seal. Perished – to
be replaced. Door step. New wooden fairing fitted, original aluminium plate
refitted.
Repaint
to the original colour scheme.
The
target date for completion of all this work is end of summer 2010.
Can
you help?