Lancaster PA474 Engine Run- Aircraft Restoration Company, IWM Duxford

The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Avro Lancaster, PA474, has been undergoing a 'minor' service with the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford since 16th November 2020. ARCo engineers have been conducting a ‘Minor’ service, along with a multitude of additional work. A 'Minor' service is carried out once every 4 years and is basically an 'annual service plus', which consists of:-
1/. Internal and external aircraft structure inspected for cracks and corrosion.
2/. X-rays taken of rudders, fins, flaps and mainplanes.
3/. Wheels removed and serviced.
4/. Brake units inspected and tested.
5/. Flying control runs inspected.
6/. Flying controls inspected, rigged, lubricated and a range of movements tested.
7/. Undercarriage hydraulic components inspected and an emergency blow-down check completed.
8/. Undercarriage inspected, lubricated and tested and brake functions tested.
9/. All 4 engines inspected and serviced.
10/. Engine filters removed and checked for debris. A soap sample taken to check for any oil contamination. Oil and coolant replaced.
11/. Propellers inspected.
12/. Electrical systems and instruments checked. Magneto contact breaker points checked for correct settings.
13/. Compass swing completed.
14/. Wing joining bolts removed and inspected.
15/. Wing plug rivets removed, holes inspected and rivets replaced.
16/. Instruments removed, serviced and refitted.

The Lancaster is shown having the first of 2 full engine runs, with RAF and ARCo engineers, at IWM Duxford Airfield on Wednesday 11th August 2021.
The result of this engine test was that a fluid leak was found coming from the starboard inner engine (No. 3 engine), which needs to be stopped before the aircraft can be test flown. From the pipe work on the engine that I observed the engineers changing later, I think the leak was of coolant, rather than oil, fuel or hydraulic fluid?
Minor oil and coolant leaks on the engines area. common problem, generally rectified by tightening jubilee clips on rubber hoses and/or fitting completely new pipes or hoses.



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