Vanguard with a tail steady?

[robbie]

We never trusted the "pogo stick" on the merch very much, it would sometimes fall out and end up on the floor, most of the time we would load pallets and run them half way down the ship then load two more up front and shuffle them rearward until fully loaded.

[TSR2]

Cheers for that Robbie!

[DaveB]

I've been searching for one particular photo and stumbled over this..

http://www.bing.com/images/search?view= ... ajaxhist=0

ATB
DaveB

[TSR2]

oops! Can you make out the Reg Dave?

[DaveB]

Yes mate.. it's EJ Suddenly.. not using a tail steady isn't such a good idea

ATB
DaveB

[Kevin Farnell]

Suddenly.. not using a tail steady isn't such a good idea

ATB
DaveB

Perhaps there was a tail steady, but the loadmaster had had too many pies and headed to the rear of the aircraft for a snooze .

Kevin

[DaveB]

What.. and punched it through the skin? (the tail steady that is) I can't recall that ever having happened on a Vanguard but you never know

ATB
DaveB

[robbie]

The tail steady was hydraulic, you inserted it into the cup on the fuse then turned the thing 180 deg to lock it, it was all too easy for it to drop out, bloody heavy great things they were too.
Also bear in mind that the Vanguard tended to be a bit...sensitive on the balance, I've seen many a crew allow her roll back when taxying, I must have warned them a thousand times "NEVER apply the brakes, just open the throttles and she'll stop", touch the brakes and she'll rear up like a stallion!!.

[DaveB]

It's been too many years since I've seen the steady on PEP let alone really looked at it. I think I remember there being some grub screw adjustment on it and a lever (pump lever I presume). TBH.. I never fiddled with ours but as I mentioned earlier.. it did need resetting every now and again. Moreso when we were on the airfield and used to catch the wind. The rear of PEP (aft of the rear access door) was walled off and a lockable door put in to make a crew room so you can imagine the weight in there with all those retired BEA/BOAC/BA engineers sat having tea We had stuff in both freight holds.. more in the fwd hold as I remember but it still moved. Unless it's been removed.. there was also a few hundred gallons of fuel in the inners! The intention was to 'get rid' once the 'reluctant' decision had been taken to knock ground runs on the head but it didn't happen in my time. Damn shame as I put a lot of it in!! Happy days
ATB
DaveB

[DaveB]

Re our converstation..

It may not be Fields hangar now but with a little imagination..


ATB
DaveB