Halifax pilot's notes
Title
Halifax pilot's notes
Description
Deals with all aircraft systems including engines, propellers, hydraulic system, undercarriage, flaps and tanks. Then continues with procedures for two engine types for starting, take off, climb, stall, approach and landing as well as flying on two and three engines.
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Format
Two page printed document
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Contributor
Identifier
MDryhurstHG1332214-160608-01
Transcription
Issue 2.
HALIFAX
Engines: Fuel: 100 Octane.
Mk. I: Four Merlin X (2-speed blowers).
Mks. II & V: Four Merlin XX or 22 (2-speed blowers).
Mks. III & VII: Four Hercules VI or XVI (2-speed blowers).
Mk. VI: Four Hercules 100 (2-speed blowers. Injection carbs.).
Propellers: Rotol hydraulic feathering, or Hydromatic feathering.
Hydraulic System:
Messier: Pump on port (Merlin) or starboard (Hercules) inner engine raises U/C, flaps and bomb doors, simultaneously charging separate accumulators. Lowering done by accumulator only. Hand pump on port side performs all functions of engine pump. Hand pump on starboard side sometimes fitted for emergency use only. A few early aircraft have pump on each inner engine. Each pump raises U/C on own side. Port pump also raises flaps and works radiator shutters.
Dowty: Pump on each inner engine. Both work all services. One small accumulator, which operates minor services. Single hand pump performs all functions of engine pumps.
U/C Operation:
Normal: Hydraulic. 3-position selector lever to pilot's right. When U/C is down, keep lever DOWN. Return lever to NEUTRAL after raising. Self engaging up-locks require manual setting before take-off and landing. Safety catch prevents raising of U/C lever until airborne. Tail wheel retracts on some.
Reserve: Select DOWN. Flight Engineer will operate hand pump (Mk. V) or emergency cocks (Other Mks.) in accordance with instructions on plate in front of main spar.
Emergency: Select DOWN. Reduce speed to 115 m.p.h. Elastic cords should lower and lock wheels, also open emergency vent cock (Mk. V).
Indicators: Green light, locked DOWN. Red light, IN TRANSIT. No light, locked UP (Manual up-locks IN). Warning horn.
Flaps:
Normal: Hydraulic. 3-position lever. Return to NEUTRAL after raising.
Reserve: Mk. V: Hand pump raises or lowers. Other Mks.: None. (Port hand pump raises only.)
Emergency: Mk. V: Compressed air. Valve on aft face of main spar. Flaps move on operation of valve with normal selector DOWN. They cannot be raised again. Other Mks.: None.
Indicator: Dial type, electric.
Gills: Hydraulic or Electric. Controlled from Engineer's panel. Some have oil cooler controls.
Tanks:
Mks. I, II, III & V: Four, five or six tanks in each wing. Tank cocks each side, under rest station seats, numbered from bottom upwards; or on each side on main spar, when they are clearly labelled. Inter-tank balance cock on each side at rear bomb bay or on main spar, and inter-wing balance cock in centre of rear spar, OFF for ferrying. Pilot's fuel cocks, which are also slow running cut-outs, at pilot's right shoulder. Fuel load: 200 gals. in each No. 1 tank and 200 gals between each No. 3 and 4. Total: 800 gals. Use No. 1 tanks for inners, and No. 3 and 4 separately for outers.
Other Mks.: No. 1 and 4 feed into No. 3, which feeds inboards. No. 6 and 7 feed into No. 5, which feeds outboards. Cocks: Below F/E's panel. One for each tank group, and inter-tank group balance for each side. Inter-wing balance at rear spar. Booster pump in each No. 3 and 5, with controls on F/E's panel. Fuel load: About 200 gals. in each tank group. Total 800-900 gals. Mk. VI: 300 gals. in each tank group. Total, 1200 gals. min. for landing 500 gals.
Starting:
24-volt direct. Battery socket on starboard side near leading edge of wing. Most aircraft have GROUND-FLIGHT switch. Doper inside rear U/C fairing on each side or at F/E's station. Mk. VI: Cut-out controls at F/E's station.
(Continued overleaf
[page break]
HALIFAX - Continued.
FLYING PARTICULARS
With MERLIN Engines
Take-Off:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks IN.
Blowers: M.
Boost: +12.
R.P.M.: 3000.
Mixture: Rich if fitted.
Gills: As req'd.
Trim:
Elevator: 2 Nose Up.
Rudder and Alleron: Neutral.
Flaps: 20°.
Safety Speed: 150 m.p.h.
Climb:
Boost: +6.
R.P.M.: 2600
Flaps: UP.
A.S.I.: 140 m.p.h.
Cruise:
Boost: +2.
R.P.M.: 2200.
Mixture: Weak.
Gills: Watch Temps.
A.S.I.: 180 m.p.h.
Consumption: 45 gals./eng. hr.
Slow Flying:
Boost: As req'd.
R.P.M.: 2600.
Flaps: 40°.
A.S.I.: 120-130 m.p.h.
Three Engines:
Boost: Level: +2. Climb: +6.
R.P.M.: Level: 2200. Climb: 2600.
Mixture: Level: Rich. Climb: Rich.
Dead Prop: Level: Feathered. Climb: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 140-150 m.p.h. Climb: 125-140 m.p.h.
Two Engines:
Boost: Level: +6. Climb: +9.
R.P.M.: Level: 2600. Climb: 2850.
Mixture: Level: Rich. Climb: Rich.
Dead Props.: Level: Feathered. Climb: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 120-125 m.p.h. Climb: 120-125 m.p.h.
Stall: Flaps and U/C UP: 90 m.p.h. Flaps and U/C DOWN: 74 m.p.h.
Approach and Land:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks OUT.
Flaps: DOWN.
Effect: Nose Down.
Max. speed for Flaps: 140 m.p.h.
Max. speed for U/C: 160 m.p.h.
Final Approach: With or Without S.V 115 m.p.h.
Note: With Merlin X, use max. engine limitations.
With HERCULES Engines
Take-off:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks IN.
*Booster Pumps: ON (if fitted).
Boost: +8 1/4.
R.P.M.: 2800.
Mixture: Rich if fitted.
Gills:
Inners: 1/3 Open.
Outers: Closed.
Elevator: 2 Nose Up.
Rudder & Aileron: Neutral.
Flaps: 20°.
Safety Speed: 150 m.p.h.
*NOT used in Mk. VI.
Climb (Max.):
Boost: +6.
R.P.M.: 2400.
Flaps: UP.
Booster Pumps: OFF.
A.S.I.: 140 m.p.h.
Cruise:
Boost: 0.
R.P.M.: 2000.
Mixture: Weak.
Gills: Normally Closed.
A.S.I.: 180 m.p.h.
Consumption: 50 gals./eng. hr.
Slow Flying:
Boost: -2 (approx.).
R.P.M.: 2000-2400.
Mixture: Rich.
Gills: Watch Temps.
Flaps: 40°.
A.S.L.: 130 m.p.h.
Three Engines:
Boost: Level: 0. Climb: + 6.
R.P.M.: Level: 2000. Climb: 2400.
Mixture: Level: Rich. Climb: Rich.
Gills: Level: Watch Temps. Climb: Watch Temps.
Dead Prop: Level: Feathered. Climb: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 160 m.p.h. Climb: 140 m.p.h.
Two Engines:
Boost: Level: +6.
R.P.M.: Level: 2400.
Mixture: Level: Rich.
Gills: Level: *Watch Temps.
Dead Props: Level: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 140 m.p.h.
* Live engine's temps will rise rapidly.
Stall: Flaps U/C UP: 92 m.p.h. Flaps and U/C DOWN: 76 m.p.h.
Approach and Land:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks OUT.
Flaps: DOWN.
Effect: Nose Down.
Max. Speed for Flaps: 140 m.p.h.
Max Speed for U/C: 160 m.p.h.
Final Approach: With or Without S.V. 115 m.p.h.
Notes: With Hercules, do not take off if cylinder heads are over 220°C, or below 150°C. "Lead" with starboard throttles.
HALIFAX
Engines: Fuel: 100 Octane.
Mk. I: Four Merlin X (2-speed blowers).
Mks. II & V: Four Merlin XX or 22 (2-speed blowers).
Mks. III & VII: Four Hercules VI or XVI (2-speed blowers).
Mk. VI: Four Hercules 100 (2-speed blowers. Injection carbs.).
Propellers: Rotol hydraulic feathering, or Hydromatic feathering.
Hydraulic System:
Messier: Pump on port (Merlin) or starboard (Hercules) inner engine raises U/C, flaps and bomb doors, simultaneously charging separate accumulators. Lowering done by accumulator only. Hand pump on port side performs all functions of engine pump. Hand pump on starboard side sometimes fitted for emergency use only. A few early aircraft have pump on each inner engine. Each pump raises U/C on own side. Port pump also raises flaps and works radiator shutters.
Dowty: Pump on each inner engine. Both work all services. One small accumulator, which operates minor services. Single hand pump performs all functions of engine pumps.
U/C Operation:
Normal: Hydraulic. 3-position selector lever to pilot's right. When U/C is down, keep lever DOWN. Return lever to NEUTRAL after raising. Self engaging up-locks require manual setting before take-off and landing. Safety catch prevents raising of U/C lever until airborne. Tail wheel retracts on some.
Reserve: Select DOWN. Flight Engineer will operate hand pump (Mk. V) or emergency cocks (Other Mks.) in accordance with instructions on plate in front of main spar.
Emergency: Select DOWN. Reduce speed to 115 m.p.h. Elastic cords should lower and lock wheels, also open emergency vent cock (Mk. V).
Indicators: Green light, locked DOWN. Red light, IN TRANSIT. No light, locked UP (Manual up-locks IN). Warning horn.
Flaps:
Normal: Hydraulic. 3-position lever. Return to NEUTRAL after raising.
Reserve: Mk. V: Hand pump raises or lowers. Other Mks.: None. (Port hand pump raises only.)
Emergency: Mk. V: Compressed air. Valve on aft face of main spar. Flaps move on operation of valve with normal selector DOWN. They cannot be raised again. Other Mks.: None.
Indicator: Dial type, electric.
Gills: Hydraulic or Electric. Controlled from Engineer's panel. Some have oil cooler controls.
Tanks:
Mks. I, II, III & V: Four, five or six tanks in each wing. Tank cocks each side, under rest station seats, numbered from bottom upwards; or on each side on main spar, when they are clearly labelled. Inter-tank balance cock on each side at rear bomb bay or on main spar, and inter-wing balance cock in centre of rear spar, OFF for ferrying. Pilot's fuel cocks, which are also slow running cut-outs, at pilot's right shoulder. Fuel load: 200 gals. in each No. 1 tank and 200 gals between each No. 3 and 4. Total: 800 gals. Use No. 1 tanks for inners, and No. 3 and 4 separately for outers.
Other Mks.: No. 1 and 4 feed into No. 3, which feeds inboards. No. 6 and 7 feed into No. 5, which feeds outboards. Cocks: Below F/E's panel. One for each tank group, and inter-tank group balance for each side. Inter-wing balance at rear spar. Booster pump in each No. 3 and 5, with controls on F/E's panel. Fuel load: About 200 gals. in each tank group. Total 800-900 gals. Mk. VI: 300 gals. in each tank group. Total, 1200 gals. min. for landing 500 gals.
Starting:
24-volt direct. Battery socket on starboard side near leading edge of wing. Most aircraft have GROUND-FLIGHT switch. Doper inside rear U/C fairing on each side or at F/E's station. Mk. VI: Cut-out controls at F/E's station.
(Continued overleaf
[page break]
HALIFAX - Continued.
FLYING PARTICULARS
With MERLIN Engines
Take-Off:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks IN.
Blowers: M.
Boost: +12.
R.P.M.: 3000.
Mixture: Rich if fitted.
Gills: As req'd.
Trim:
Elevator: 2 Nose Up.
Rudder and Alleron: Neutral.
Flaps: 20°.
Safety Speed: 150 m.p.h.
Climb:
Boost: +6.
R.P.M.: 2600
Flaps: UP.
A.S.I.: 140 m.p.h.
Cruise:
Boost: +2.
R.P.M.: 2200.
Mixture: Weak.
Gills: Watch Temps.
A.S.I.: 180 m.p.h.
Consumption: 45 gals./eng. hr.
Slow Flying:
Boost: As req'd.
R.P.M.: 2600.
Flaps: 40°.
A.S.I.: 120-130 m.p.h.
Three Engines:
Boost: Level: +2. Climb: +6.
R.P.M.: Level: 2200. Climb: 2600.
Mixture: Level: Rich. Climb: Rich.
Dead Prop: Level: Feathered. Climb: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 140-150 m.p.h. Climb: 125-140 m.p.h.
Two Engines:
Boost: Level: +6. Climb: +9.
R.P.M.: Level: 2600. Climb: 2850.
Mixture: Level: Rich. Climb: Rich.
Dead Props.: Level: Feathered. Climb: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 120-125 m.p.h. Climb: 120-125 m.p.h.
Stall: Flaps and U/C UP: 90 m.p.h. Flaps and U/C DOWN: 74 m.p.h.
Approach and Land:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks OUT.
Flaps: DOWN.
Effect: Nose Down.
Max. speed for Flaps: 140 m.p.h.
Max. speed for U/C: 160 m.p.h.
Final Approach: With or Without S.V 115 m.p.h.
Note: With Merlin X, use max. engine limitations.
With HERCULES Engines
Take-off:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks IN.
*Booster Pumps: ON (if fitted).
Boost: +8 1/4.
R.P.M.: 2800.
Mixture: Rich if fitted.
Gills:
Inners: 1/3 Open.
Outers: Closed.
Elevator: 2 Nose Up.
Rudder & Aileron: Neutral.
Flaps: 20°.
Safety Speed: 150 m.p.h.
*NOT used in Mk. VI.
Climb (Max.):
Boost: +6.
R.P.M.: 2400.
Flaps: UP.
Booster Pumps: OFF.
A.S.I.: 140 m.p.h.
Cruise:
Boost: 0.
R.P.M.: 2000.
Mixture: Weak.
Gills: Normally Closed.
A.S.I.: 180 m.p.h.
Consumption: 50 gals./eng. hr.
Slow Flying:
Boost: -2 (approx.).
R.P.M.: 2000-2400.
Mixture: Rich.
Gills: Watch Temps.
Flaps: 40°.
A.S.L.: 130 m.p.h.
Three Engines:
Boost: Level: 0. Climb: + 6.
R.P.M.: Level: 2000. Climb: 2400.
Mixture: Level: Rich. Climb: Rich.
Gills: Level: Watch Temps. Climb: Watch Temps.
Dead Prop: Level: Feathered. Climb: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 160 m.p.h. Climb: 140 m.p.h.
Two Engines:
Boost: Level: +6.
R.P.M.: Level: 2400.
Mixture: Level: Rich.
Gills: Level: *Watch Temps.
Dead Props: Level: Feathered.
A.S.I.: Level: 140 m.p.h.
* Live engine's temps will rise rapidly.
Stall: Flaps U/C UP: 92 m.p.h. Flaps and U/C DOWN: 76 m.p.h.
Approach and Land:
Hydraulics: U/C Up-locks OUT.
Flaps: DOWN.
Effect: Nose Down.
Max. Speed for Flaps: 140 m.p.h.
Max Speed for U/C: 160 m.p.h.
Final Approach: With or Without S.V. 115 m.p.h.
Notes: With Hercules, do not take off if cylinder heads are over 220°C, or below 150°C. "Lead" with starboard throttles.
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Citation
“Halifax pilot's notes,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 20, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/28659.
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