NEW BLADES FOR OLD [Main Title]

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  • Title: NEW BLADES FOR OLD [Main Title]
  • Film Number: AMY 940
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Film produced for an American audience about the process of repairing damaged propellers from crashed aircraft so they can be reused.
  • Description: Crashed Lancaster on airfield. The aircraft has suffered an undercarriage collapse upon landing, and has consequently suffered damage to the propellers. Close up views of bent propeller blades. A salvage party arrives and starts work on dismantling the propeller. First the spinner shell is removed, then various bolts and screws are removed. The propeller is then pulled off the engine shaft and placed on the ground. After dismantling, the propeller is loosely reassembled for transportation and is moved to the repair factory. On arrival, the propeller is disassembled again, and the various components are laid out for inspection. First of all, the parts are washed in water, and a brush is used to remove dirt and sediment, then the parts are transferred to an inspection bench. Dented spinner shells are carefully hammered and polished until both the inner and outer surfaces of the shell are smooth again. Damaged blades are heated by hot air in a furnace. The viscosity of the blades is measured inside the furnace by use of a Cambridge Regulator, which produces a graph to map progress and any changes that occur. Once the blades have reached the required temperature, they are removed from the furnace and allowed to cool. Next, hydraulic blocks are used to straighten the blades, working on both sides of the blade from the root to the tip. The dimensions of the blade are checked and the angles of the blade altered if necessary. The blades are then assessed and marked accordingly if they pass inspection. Next the blades are returned to the furnace for reheating, and are then dipped in water to cool the surface. Then the blades are polished, and shot blasted in a specially designed chamber. Now the blades are treated with aluminium oxide, which will protect the blades from minor surface damage. Any excess oxide is removed by dipping the blades in water, and then the blades are immersed in a tank of black dye. After one final submersion in water to remove any excess dye, work begins on reassembling the propeller. Various parts are checked and assembled, then checked again. The propeller is assembled on a vertical shaft, designed as a replica of the engine shaft. Once reassembled, the completed propeller is moved by trolley and then suspended overhead on a conveyor system. Final checks are performed, including oil pressure and blade rotation. The blade tips are painted with bright yellow paint. When completed, the propeller is crated up and is ready to be transferred back into service. The propellers are transported in their distinctive wooden 'Y' shaped crates by truck to a Royal Air Force Storage Depot. A factory repairing damaged Lancaster bombers requires a number of replacement propellers, so a consignment of propellers departs from the storage depot for this purpose. On arrival, a propeller is taken to a waiting Lancaster (serial number ED613, QR-F, 61 Squadron) for fitting. Once the propeller has been fitted, the Lancaster is taken for a test flight. A Lancaster test pilot and flight engineer climb onboard and perform the usual pre-flight checks. Views of cockpit interior including instrument panel. The engines are started up and when ready the Lancaster is taxied out to the runway and takes to the skies. In the air the instrument readings are checked and recorded, and in turn, engines three and four are "feathered" (stopped) and the handling of the aircraft on only three engines is checked. Once the flight engineer is happy with the results the engines are restarted. Views of the Lancaster in the air. Close up exterior view of the undercarriage being lowered for landing. The Lancaster lands back on the airfield, and the verdict of the pilot and flight engineer is "good". Once more, a damaged propeller has been repaired and successfully returned to service.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: AMY 940
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1943
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) (Production sponsor) Christie, Michael (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 16mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 1132 ft; Running time: 31 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    AMY 940

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