Three of the team had the usually busy day either continuing with tasks and taking on new ones. One on-going task which at long last we are nearing the end of is the new roof decking for the T86 and another two weeks should see the decking complete. The upper surfaces being painted with non-slip paint. See accompanying Photo with Ian doing his favourite job – painting.
The four pedestal covers and have been refurbished and returned to Cosford. A task that included painting, restoring the covering of rubberised RFI sheet which was badly cracked or crazed and all seals were replaced. Two accompanying photos show the four refurbished pedestal covers.
Pete M continued with the refurbishment of the T86 pedestal base. The accompanying photo shows corrosion treatment being applied, light in colour but will turn black as it reacts to the corrosion. Note that one of the refurbished pedestal covers has been fitted to check the clamping and seals, all good.
One problem I’ve had is understanding the bearing aerial positioning. We are often moving the aerials in azimuth and the limit indicators come on and off for clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation. I’m planning to write a note so anyone moving the aerials in azimuth knows which way to turn them to avoid the end stops. Information in the technical publications is not clear with some documentation refering to the T86 MK2, is there a difference in aerial control? Pete M moved the aerials in azimuth to what we believed to be the vehicle centre line. I’ve attached a photo that shows the exact ‘zero’ point, the small spigot cam which is just short of the microswitch SJ.
Note the corrosion on the main shaft, yet another job.
One task was to remove several of the covers from housings for the bearing and elevation synchro units for refurbishment off site. What a pleasant surprise, the various synchro’s and units were ‘as new’ being in sealed units. See accompanying photo which is an example of the condition of the synchro’s.
A word on our working practices. A lot of work is taking place on the roof of the T86 cabin and we are very conscious of safety, even though the T86 is not on top of a tower. We are fortunate to have several gantries available to us that we can place against the walls of the T86 cabin so there is no drop off the roof. To gain access we use a gantry with enclosed steps as show in the accompanying photo.
Pete H
