25th June 2010: Wings and Wheels 2010 a roaring success

Wings and Wheels 2010 was a roaring success with XM655 performing two taxi runs.

A full report will follow but check out our photos page for some pictures of the day.

If you missed the high speed run! Then where were you!

Seriously, sorry you couldnt make it, but if you would like to see the high speed run click the picture below to see the video

23rd March 2010: No 4 Goes Home

Saturday morning we finished putting all the plumbing back on the No 4 engine. We were blessed (??) with a wet day, but working under a big triangular umbrella kept us fairly dry.
The engine ready for re-installation.	We used aluminium sheets to cover the rough patches on the concrete pan, so we could roll the engine and stand (all three tons of it) into position under the engine bay.
The engine lifted clear of the stand.	A full frontal of the engine on the way up
And here she is in position. The front mounting bolt has been fitted and the A-frame released and partially lowered. The pip pins are in place under the main trunnions, and Bovril is busy installing the trunnion bolts.
All the photos were taken by Charles Brimson. By the end of the day we had the doors back on so the aircraft is secure. We also re-connected some of the electrics. The next couple of weekends will be spent connecting the jetpipe, refitting the end cap, and installing all the airframe to engine plumbing. After that, wet and dry cycles and an EGR will complete the work. As you have already seen from the pictures we posted earlier, the engine proved to be in very good condition for its age, and as we have replaced the two cracked zero-stage stators it is now in better shape than when we removed it. We will be completing an inspection report for the various interested parties, and we are confident that we have fully addressed all the concerns which were raised last year. We are now looking forward to the next Wellesbourne Wings and Wheels on Sunday 20th June, and to many more in the years to come.

22nd March 2010: Wings & Wheels date for 2010 as Sunday 20th June - Fathers Day

The 655 Maintenance and Preservation Society proudly presents "Wellesbourne Wings and Wheels 2010" Which will take place on Sunday 20th June 2010. Gates open at 10am. We have a classic vehicle line-up on the day which will complement XM655. For more details of the event please see the events page. If you have a classic car or military vehicle that you would like to exhibit or require trade space please call Derek Powell on 0121 777 3518. For all other all other enquiries Charles Brimson on 07595 191576 or email xm655MaPS@aol.com Note: all exhibits are subject to availability and aircraft participation subject to weather conditions on the day and serviceability. 655 MaPS wish all our supporters a very Happy Christmas and New Year - see you in 2010! [Read full story]

20th February 2010: One of '655's Olympus Engines Undergoes Deep Examination

As our regular visitors and members will have heard, we have decided to 'drop' one of our Bristol Olympus 301 engines from the aircraft in order to carry out a detailed examination of the low pressure (LP) and high pressure (HP) compressor rotor and stator blades. This has come about because of a concern voiced by Rolls Royce last year that there is a chance that corrosion in blades in those parts of the engine could lead to engine failure and possible release of high-energy debris from the engine and airframe. Obviously as responsible operators of an ex-military aircraft, we are always very mindful of potential risks and we seek to mitigate for any identified risk before we ever consider any operation of the aircraft. So with all this in mind we have decided on action that we believe fully complies with Rolls Royce's recommendation that 'special inspections using non-standard inspection tools and techniques' be carried out on our oldest engine before we consider operating the aircraft again.  [Read full story]

11th November 2009: 655MaPS Away Team visits Woodford – 5th~8th November 2009

A working party of 10 volunteers from 655MaPS made a visit to Woodford in early November, to recover spare parts from XM603 to be used to support XM655. Thanks to the generosity of BAe Systems, and with the help and goodwill of their personnel, we were able to obtain two “zero-hours” engines, which had been installed in XM603 a few years ago, but had never been run.  [Read full story]

19th September 2009: Members Day 13th September 2009

26th August 2009: A fifth Olympus 301 arrives at Wellesbourne

19th August 2009: Wings and Wheels 2009 – A Roaring Success

8th May 2009: Wing and Wheels 2009 almost here

30th January 2009: 558 Scramble