Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

January 23, 2005 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Another weekend of preparation as we wait for the engine to return from S&S Turbines Services. Work is progressing well in Fort St. John in spite of the - 27° F temperature. With temperatures this low there is a problem with the fuel turning to a jello consistency. An even bigger problem is “getting employees to work out in the weather”, Robin Sipe told Ed half jokingly over the phone. At these temperatures you can seriously hurt yourself…as in die from exposure. Every trip to the test cell reminds him of the Donner Party story!

In attendance at this weekend's work party was Steve Wallace, Von Armstrong, Tim Finley, Bob Beisler, Ed Drumheller II, Keith Zanghi, Earl Gratzer, Ed Shadle and of course the McVays: Bernard, Dennis, and Aaron.

This lull in the testing season while we wait for the engine to arrive provides a great opportunity to go back and take a second look at the electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems in the car. Bob has been reviewing the Hydraulic Repair and Design (HRD) tubing in the engine bay in an effort to gain some additional clearances. This will aid in the installation and removal of the engine. You can't imagine the hydraulics required to make this car work. The work is progressing really well. HRD, by the way, has a "new look" to their website. Check it out!

Steve Green at Eagle Machine, Inc. in Abbotsford, BC called to let us know how he is doing.  After talking to Ed and Bob last weekend, he has been busy modifying the rear axle to accept the LevX® Neodymium Iron Boron new technology magnetic anti-skid brakes.  The work is quite complicated and rather than going into it here, we'll save the explanation for a later update when the photos are ready.  Next week, if all goes well, Steve will travel to Fort St. John, BC and pick up the jet engine from Robin at S&S Turbines Services.

Steve Wallace and Tim Finley both worked on the electrical system.  They hooked up an electric inverter and did extensive review of the F-104 wiring schematics.  Steve has been busy with the design for the data acquisition sensors from PCB Piezotronics and integrating those with the Larson Davis PC based data acquisition equipment.  All this is tied into the Rockwell Automation Allen Bradley® Controllers to activate the speed brakes,  deploy the parachutes, engage the magnetic brakes, provide the steering  and operate the canards.  This "beast" isn’t your father's Oldsmobile.

Earl Gratzer started out the day by replacing a bad breaker for the hangar's electrical circuits.  It had become a nuisance in the shop when it was repeatedly tripping off and finally it was time to replace it.   Later Earl, Von and Ed repaired three floor jacks that had been getting weak over the years.  Every time we lift the car with one of these jacks we push the limits of their useful load.  After awhile it gets to the point where they won’t even lift themselves.  This was a good time to get them fixed.  Ed also installed a rear view mirror in the cockpit.  No, Ed won’t be using this before passing!  Because of the limited vision in the car, this will give Ed the ability to watch startup operations to his rear and make the process safer.

Von and Keith did a little more work on the engine monorail track.  Bernard decided to add a brake to each of the dolly trucks.  He didn’t want to take a chance of the engine sliding off the track when loading the engine into the car.  After using up a bunch of Central Welding Supply gases and consumables, he finished the job.  This week we’ll drop them off at Performance Coatings in Auburn, WA.   Dennis and Aaron McVay dismantled the mobilizer used to tow the car.  This piece of equipment was completed just prior to our low speed runs and we didn’t have enough time to get it painted.  We will send it out with the rest of the parts.

Ed Drumheller II nursed the 1930s era industrial sewing machine and worked on equipment to be used for the parachutes.  Again, the plea goes out to any of our readers. If you have a good used industrial sewing machine, or even one that needs some minor repairs, we could sure use it.  We are getting close to getting the John Deere out and digging a hole for a proper burial with our present one.  The LevX® Tractor is still at Interstate Wood Products in Kelso, WA where it is getting a new clutch, muffler and throttle rebuild.

And finally Cam Shadle’s son, Alex, stopped by to give us a hand on the engine inlet duct cowling.  First, he used a can of Spencer Aircraft zinc chromate paint to inhibit corrosion, and then went on to do a fit up check.  Do you think his kindergarten teacher is going to believe him when he tells her he was working on a jet engine for grandpa’s 800 mile per hour car?  As Art Linkletter would say, “Kids say the darndest things!”

Thats it for now.  Thanks for your support.

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