beauty: a perfect example of how to display
the aeroplane at her best without putting
unnecessary strain on the engine. Once
he landed, he taxied over to the pumps and
the team removed R4118’s engine cowlings
to help her cool, prior to her imminent
departure to Little Gransden.
“It was as we re tted the cowlings 90
minutes later, our chief engineer noticed
something was amiss. Leaking from the
No.3 exhaust stub on the left-hand-side of
the engine, were a couple of small drops of
blue uid (coolant). This tiny, tell-tale sign
indicated a much bigger problem lurking out
of view. The only way for coolant to enter
the exhaust system was if the cylinder block
(which incorporates a cooling water jacket)
had cracked; potentially an extremely serious
issue which would signal a major repair, or
even replacement of the engine.
“With no other choice, we immediately
grounded the aeroplane and called Little
Gransden with the bad news. It’s always
disappointing to pull out of an airshow, buthad the cylinder block failed in ight, our pilot
would probably only have had a minute or two
to land the aircraft before risking much more
serious damage to R4118 or worse.
“Over the subsequent few days, further
examination con rmed our suspicions: the
block had indeed cracked along an old weld,
allowing coolant to leak from the water jacket
into the exhaust. This would be no quick x
and R4118 was withdrawn from her remaining
display duties for the season,” he said.
“The focus of the Hurricane Heritage
team is now to get repairs to the Merlin III
completed over the winter, and to conduct
additional essential maintenance tasks while
the aeroplane is out of action.
“We’ve sourced new blocks for the engine
and these are now being overhauled ready
for tting towards the end of the year [2017].
Importantly, we’re also going to take this
opportunity to re-fabric all of R4118’s ying
controls. This will include the ailerons,
n, rudder, tailplane and elevators. These
surfaces are all covered in Irish linen and,with the existing fabric now approaching 15
years old, it’s high time it was stripped off and
replaced with new fabric.
“Once all this work is done, we aim to
rebuild R4118 around February, ready for this
year’s airshow season.
“Looking back on the 2017 season,
it’s been quite a year. My training has
progressed apace and, with every ight of the
Harvard, I know I’m getting one step closer
to ying our Hurricane. As for R4118, whilst
disappointing to lose the engine towards the
end of the season, the most important thing
for the team here at Hurricane Heritage is to
ensure her safety and long-term viability as
a unique airworthy survivor of the Battle of
Britain.
“With the work we’re doing over the winter,
R4118 will begin the 2018 season sporting a
very smart new set of ‘tail feathers’ and will
have a much more robust set of blocks tted
to her engine: something I for one will be very
grateful for as I sit in her cockpit and y her
for the rst time.”46 Aviation News incorporating Jets February 2018SUPPORTING R4118
To support the continuing operation of R4118 in her native land, the Friends of R4118
supporters’ club has been set up. The annual membership comes with many added perks, but
the most important thing is to secure a dedicated following for R4118.
The aircraft is one of the most signi cant airframes in British aviation history and James is
keen to ensure it’s preserved for future generations. A plethora of merchandising gear is now
available through Hurricane Heritage partners – Pride of the Skies – and there will also be two
Hurricane Heritage Days held in association with the Shuttleworth Collection on June 20 and
August 23. These give a special close up experience with R4118 with a focus on photography.
All these activities and opportunities will help keep a true Battle of Britain veteran in the air as
a living memorial for future generations to help remember The Few. For more information on
Hurricane Heritage and the supporters’ club, please visit:
http://www.hurricaneheritage.comRight: Bygone Aviation personnel remove the tail control surfaces to re-fabric
them over the winter.
Bottom: The aircraft has been restored to markings worn during the Battle of
Britain while serving with 605 ‘County of Warwick’ Squadron.42-46_hurricaneDC.mf.indd 46 05/01/2018 14:13