198. Dense Fog

Christchurch

Started the day with a walk through Hagley Park then through the Botanical Gardens. A real treat. Boris biked some of it also which was great.

Picked up Douglas (Das) and we went out to West Melton Aerodrome to give the family kite, WEN, a run. As mentioned previously, I had started a number of modifications, constant speed prop and water cooled heads etc. meaning the installation of radiators, pumps etc. Uncle Richard took the project on when I departed for the UK and I was keen to try it all out now it is all assembled. Again thank you to Uncle Richard and John Crawford.

Good labour helps

Das tackling fuel marks

After a year of sitting WEN was thick with dust which Das and I were able to dust off. Looked a lot more loved after that. Pushed out CBS then WEN. Battery still wasn't up to a start which is disappointing as WEN had been on trickle half Amp charge for three days. Jump start from Das in the Type R did the trick and WEN was soon idling cleanly with all gauges pointing in the right direction. Particularly enjoyed the new manifold air pressure and water temp gauges that I installed a couple of years ago. Though the brakes are good WEN doesn't have a park brake and my legs were getting shakey holding the toe brakes on so we robbed a picket and tie down rope out of CBS and tied by the tail wheel WEN sat nicely.

Big brother, little brother

After robbing twenty litres from Uncle Richard's AvGas supplies Das and I settled in and ran WEN up watching the temperatures and pressures as we did. Everything came up beautifully and the prop cycled beautifully loading and unloading the engine as we coarsened and fined the pitch. We ran the engine up to two thousand and were able to run an open throttle with the prop on full coarse. The oil came up to ninety five and the water eighty five so I was delighted.

Glowing with success we returned for pizzas with the family with Stephanie and Ian at Das'. Low point of the evening was Ian and my hurriedly escaping through the french doors (which Douglas and Anna-Marie thought were locked) behind the table when Dexter, the dog, fogged us out with the strong smell of egg which Das assures us that he never eats. Fog banks continued throughout the evening with Das and AM blaming the hound.