Precious Metal -- Countdown to Vegas

[AAFO_Crewman]

Aviation Nation 2002 is fast approaching, even though the Reno National Championships ended only a week ago today.

On October 5-6, 2002, the United States Air Force will hold it's major show of the year at Nellis AFB, Nevada, home of the USAF Thunderbirds and the Red Flag training grounds.

An Unlimited Class demonstration race is to take place at Nellis, with Ron Buccarelli and crew, along with Precious Metal, Race 38, being among the featured attractions.

The Precious Metal crew flew back to Reno from Florida with the intent of swapping engines today, as the race engine that took Precious Metal to near victory in the Silver, began developing metal in small and large chunks, and of course, would not last another day, let alone, the three weeks that remained between the end of Reno and Aviation Nation in October.

The old Rolls Royce Griffon Mk. 57 engine is seen here after removal yesterday at Reno-Stead. Today's work involved the installation of the back-up race engine and one of the propeller blades that pull Ron Buccarelli and his exotic racer through the skies:

[AAFO_Crewman]

Las Vegas Countdown

One week ago, the ramp was filled to capacity at Reno-Stead Airport, north of Reno, Nevada. The 2002 Reno National Championship Air Races were in full swing with a strong showing by all classes and a record crowd estimated at or around 250,000 people.

Today, Sunday, September 22, 2002, the ramp is deserted save for a single L-39 still parked in the Pit area with her canopy covered. Things were quiet at the hangars housing Rare Bear and Strega, and the only activity on the field was at the RARA hangar where work was underway when AAFO.COM arrived at mid-day.

Upon arrival, we found the crew finishing the cleaning of the oil tanks and lines that serviced the old engine. Those lines were filled with metal particles and needed to be flushed before they could be reinstalled with the replacement Griffon engine.

Here, we see Precious Metal's forward section and engine mounts awaiting receipt of the cleaned oil tank, Griffon engine, and oil lines:

[AAFO_Crewman]

Las Vegas Countdown

The new engine is moved into position by a forklift, which is out of the picture to the photographer's left (like, where else would it be!? ), while Dave Berry (left, floor) and pilot/owner Ron Buccarelli (right, wing) monitor it's movement towards the mounts:

[AAFO_Crewman]

Las Vegas Countdown

Ron Buccarelli has to move into the cockpit to put his feet on the brakes when a set of plastic wheel chocks fail to hold the aircraft in position. Dave Berry takes over on guiding the engine into the mounts. A very tight fit for this second engine.

Unlike the first Griffon, this engine has a few surprises which make it more difficult to install. A fitting placement on the aircraft comes into contact with the supercharger on the aft engine section, necessitating movement of the fitting back one half inch to provide clearance. The crew jokes about having to figure out "why this engine is an inch longer than the other!"

The forklift operator has to guide the engine around other fittings and lines, and in through the bulkhead where the supercharger must rest, with directions from Dave Vorsas (not pictured) on the ground. Literally, he must position the fork hoisting the engine in 1/2" to 1" increments as they guide the Griffon through a fit "tighter than a boot," according to the crew.

Much time is consumed, but the procedure goes safely:

[AAFO_Crewman]

Las Vegas Countdown

A crew of five were able to appear for the engine change on Sunday. Three of the crew had to leave Sunday night, and two others decided to stay an additional day to complete the job. Pictured here are Chris Freeman, with his back to the camera, holding the tether; Dave Vorsas, with his back to the camera, background, just below the engine; Ron Buccarelli again, on the wing; and Dave Berry behind the engine, watching the engine's approach toward the rear mounts. Not pictured is Roger Freeman, who was driving the forklift:

[AAFO_Crewman]

Las Vegas Countdown

The replacement Rolls Royce Griffon Mk. 57 on Precious Metal's mounts, ready to accept the oil lines that had been cleaned by the crew earlier. In the background, Critical Mass, who had the unfortunate mishap after qualifications when her gear tucked up while taxiing back to the Pit:

[AAFO_Crewman]

Las Vegas Countdown

Precious Metal at 7:00 p.m. this evening, after the day's work was completed. The aft propeller has been installed leaving the forward propeller for installation tomorrow morning. The aircraft will be readied for start-up, but the crew will likely leave tomorrow evening and return in a week en masse to complete ground runs, the breaking in of the engine, and test flights in the Reno-Stead area. Ron Buccarelli and Dave Berry will be joined by Mike Gallagher and a fourth unnamed crewman to complete the installation and clean-up of the work area prior to departure.

The early start -- one week after the National Championships -- will give this aircraft and crew an adequate amount of time to ready the aircraft for the Unlimited demonstration race at Aviation Nation on October 5th and 6th.

400,000 people are expected to attend this major US and West Coast Air Show and demonstration Air Race:

[AAFO_Crewman]

Las Vegas Countdown

Today's crew and their guests enjoy a mid-day treat from the local Domino's Pizza at Silver Lake and Stead Blvds. They had been working since early morning and this was the one break they stopped to take on this 14 hour day. We'll have more for you tomorrow from Reno-Stead:

[Unregistered]

Great pics

Thanks for the pics! If you're still around when the other prop goes on, I'd love to see how that works! I've never seen or really even understood how the counter- rotation gearing works. If you can explain it without pics, please do.

[rwflyboy]

Great stuff....

Man this is great to see them get things back together so quickly. Tell them all a great "good luck" on the new engine and we hope she is "running fine in no-time"!

Rhino Jr.

https://www.unlimitedair.com