The Night Mail

[Winslow Boy]

1 minute ago, SM42 said:

 

The scrubbed up Hippo. 

 

Experienced operators are ten a penny. 

We just had a newbie, or two, with us today who were unacquainted with the concept of fragrant and buffed up hippos visiting 

 

Andy

 

You dropped them in at the deep end then- hope they could swim.

[Dave Hunt]

On 24/11/2022 at 22:38, Winslow Boy said:

 

So in your career you knew very few privately educated officers. You had a very shelter life.

 

No, I didn't have a very sheltered life. I worked chiefly with aircrew officers, men who were skilled at what they did, worked hard and, contrary to the obvious opinions of some, were neither chinless nor idiots. And, incidentally, very few were from public schools and even those who were did not behave in the manner that you seem to think they would. To suggest otherwise I consider insulting.

 

Dave  

[SM42]

10 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

You dropped them in at the deep end then- hope they could swim.

 

They did alright, doggy paddling about. 

Of course when you are shuffling diesels about it useful to know the difference between a 31 and a 25

 

We certainly had fun entertaining the amassed throng with gentle ribbing of their faux pas ( or is tha faux pae?)

 

We had another newbie on Saturday but he was spared the glossy wildlife thanks to ASLEF.

 

 

Andy

[pH]

49 minutes ago, AndyID said:

Bl00dy wheels won't come off!

 

I'm trying to put the snow-tires/wheels on Lorna's Jeep Wrangler (while she is swanning around in Southern California with the daughters twain) but the wheels have glued themselves on to the hubs (it's caused by a little bit of oxidation). I will slacken-off all the nuts and run a few yards forward and reverse while stabbing the brake pedal. (Do not try this at home.)

Jack one wheel up, slack the nuts off and whack the wheel in various places with a rubber mallet - worked for me!

[Winslow Boy]

28 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

No, I didn't have a very sheltered life. I worked chiefly with aircrew officers, men who were skilled at what they did, worked hard and, contrary to the obvious opinions of some, were neither chinless nor idiots. And, incidentally, very few were from public schools and even those who were did not behave in the manner that you seem to think they would. To suggest otherwise I consider insulting.

 

Dave  

 

Hmm not to certain to whom your fire is directed the most at me or HH. In my chosen career, horticulture I didn't encounter, as far as I'm aware that many privately educated persons. Whether that reflects the attitude towards that profession I'm unsure. What I can recall is the attitude of a career advisor who felt that qualifications wrernt much called for in gardening. Something which I felt was refleçt in the sort of qualifications offered.

[Winslow Boy]

36 minutes ago, SM42 said:

 

They did alright, doggy paddling about. 

Of course when you are shuffling diesels about it useful to know the difference between a 31 and a 25

 

We certainly had fun entertaining the amassed throng with gentle ribbing of their faux pas ( or is tha faux pae?)

 

We had another newbie on Saturday but he was spared the glossy wildlife thanks to ASLEF.

 

 

Andy

 

I had contemplated going to the show but given the logistics required - distance, travel, devil dog accommodation I felt it was just too much to attempt.

 

Its sounds though you had a g9od time and if nothing else it spared you from your regular job of decorating the West Wing/East Wing of SM42 Towers.

[Dave Hunt]

It would seem that all of the North Hipposhire TNM brigade have been present at the Warley show this weekend but with typical organisational capability mismanagement and lack of planning no two actually met up. I spent a pleasant day there on Saturday, occasionally on the Midland Railway Society stand and looking at the layouts but mainly chatting to friends and acquaintances. The standard of modelling was agreeably high from what I saw and the number and spectrum of traders, not counting the big box shifters, was useful even though the sum total of my purchases was three sheets of plastikard. My only concern was that attendee numbers did not seem as great as in previous years, shown by the lack of winding queues for refreshments and the apparent ease of getting a decent viewing spot at layouts. Whether the latter was at least partially due to the larger floor area I can't say but I just hope that the Warley club will make sufficient to cover their needs for the next year.

 

Oh, yes, the bacon butties were of a high standard.

 

Dave 

[Dave Hunt]

25 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

Hmm not to certain to whom your fire is directed the most at me or HH. I

 

I'm not sure why you should think I would direct fire at HH.

 

Dave

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, AndyID said:

Bl00dy wheels won't come off!

 

I'm trying to put the snow-tires/wheels on Lorna's Jeep Wrangler (while she is swanning around in Southern California with the daughters twain) but the wheels have glued themselves on to the hubs (it's caused by a little bit of oxidation). I will slacken-off all the nuts and run a few yards forward and reverse while stabbing the brake pedal. (Do not try this at home.)

You should always use copper paste when fitting alloy wheels. This prevents electrolytic corrosion between the alloy wheels and the steel suspension. Electrolytic corrosion can also make alloy wheels brittle and subject to fracture. 

[SM42]

Two of the NHTNM  collective did meet up. 

For this one it was a shock that the other had made an effort in the personal grooming department. 

 

As for the decorating, the east wing is complete apart from a couple of snagging issues which will take minutes to resolve. 

 

Attention turns to the West Wing, where efforts need to be concentrated to stay ahead of the contracted tradesman. 

Supplies for said tradesman due to be delivered  in morning. 

 

A bit of prep was done post show yesterday and a little this evening. 

Busy day ahead tomorrow.

 

Andy

[Northmoor]

1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

No, I didn't have a very sheltered life. I worked chiefly with aircrew officers, men who were skilled at what they did, worked hard and, contrary to the obvious opinions of some, were neither chinless nor idiots. And, incidentally, very few were from public schools and even those who were did not behave in the manner that you seem to think they would. To suggest otherwise I consider insulting.

 

Dave  

I certainly don't have a low opinion of military officers; I respected those I worked with rather more than I did my own (civilian) managers.  The majority were 2, 2/5, 3 stripe, so mostly Lieutenant-Commander/Half-Colonel/Squadron Leader rank or a bit either way.  My criticism isn't of the senior officers themselves - more senior than those I dealt with* - but a system that won't accept their roles are no longer required and they should be allowed/encouraged to use their hard-earned management skills outside the military, in the public or private sector.

 

* A colleague worked on one project which required him to visit RAF High Wycombe and Northwood a few times.  There seemed to be a widely held view that many corridors had at least one or two Group Captains and Wing Commanders in non-jobs well beneath their capabilities.

[AndyID]

3 hours ago, pH said:

Jack one wheel up, slack the nuts off and whack the wheel in various places with a rubber mallet - worked for me!

 

That worked for three of them but one was really stubborn. Got there eventually.

[AndyID]

2 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

You should always use copper paste when fitting alloy wheels. This prevents electrolytic corrosion between the alloy wheels and the steel suspension. Electrolytic corrosion can also make alloy wheels brittle and subject to fracture. 

 

Thanks for that info Phil. I shall try to get some.

 

The original wheels (now fitted with studless snow tires) are steel and I've had problems with them too. I think the main issue is just rust forming on the raised centers of the cast iron/steel hubs where they interface with the alignment hole at the center of the wheel rim. The rust expands to take up all the clearance.

[AndyID]

Les Gals obviously not enjoying themselves in San Diego.

 

 

 

 

 

[AndyID]

I don't know if the film "A Christmas Story" ever caught-on in the UK, but our grandson signed up to play the part of Flick in a stage production in NJ. Here in costume:

 

 

 

 

 

[jjb1970]

I used to do a lot of work for the MoD and had a lot of interaction with the RN technical people. I have to say they were all extremely competent and their technical expertise second to none. Most of them were quite senior, lieutenant commander, commander and captain (captain in the RN is more senior than most realise, most ships are commanded by more junior ranks and only capital ships have an actual captain). The problems I say weren't a lack of knowledge and expertise but a dysfunctional procurement system. One aspect which struck me as wasteful was 'falling off the captain's list', captain's get to the point where they are either promoted to flag rank or have to retire from the navy. I knew a couple of excellent people who fell off the list. They went to BAE and seemed pretty happy swapping seats.

[SM42]

4 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

Thanks for that info Phil. I shall try to get some.

 

The original wheels (now fitted with studless snow tires) are steel and I've had problems with them too. I think the main issue is just rust forming on the raised centers of the cast iron/steel hubs where they interface with the alignment hole at the center of the wheel rim. The rust expands to take up all the clearance.

 

That raised rim on the hub is more than just for alignment. 

It's what holds the weight of the vehicle. The studs are just there to stop  the wheel falling off. 

 

Being a seasonal wheel changer myself, I copper greased all the areas of contact between wheel and hub some years back and have not yet had to repeat the exercise. 

 

The wheels now try to throw themselves off as the last nut is slackened. 

 

Andy

Who, at 0620hrs,  is waiting paint to dry.

Edited November 28, 2022 by SM42

[jamie92208]

13 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

I'm not sure why you should think I would direct fire at HH.

 

Dave

At least you would have a fairly large target.  

 

Talking of wheels and hubs, I had to change a wheel yesterday.  Beth had an early lunch snd set off to some sort of Christmas car boot sale. I was just about to have my lunch when the phone rang.  I've had a puncture said a little voice.  I got changed into older clothes, put a socket set in my car and set off.  Sure enough she had a flat tyre but had been able to pull safely off the road into a grain silo yard.  Her friend came to pick her up and took her to the sale.  I was left with two cars.  I got her wheel changed, once her car was moved to level ground, put the get you home tyre on and drove it home.  Lunch was had then I cycled back to the scene of the crime, put my bike in the back of the Volvo and drove that home.  On inspection the flat trye was scrubbed on the inside. Guess where I've got to go this morning.  

 

All was not in vain.  Discussions about Christmas presents had been underway.  I have now bern able to order a kit for a 7mm scale metre gauge Flat wagon that will eventually go on my as yet unbuilt diorama of our village station that clised in 1950.  

 

Jamie

Edited November 28, 2022 by jamie92208

[polybear]

9 hours ago, pH said:

Jack one wheel up, slack the nuts off and whack the wheel in various places with a rubber mallet - worked for me!

 

Another way would be to jack up, slacken and then (standing with your back to the wheel) do a back kick with the sole of your foot against the side of the tyre.

 

10 hours ago, AndyID said:

I will slacken-off all the nuts and run a few yards forward and reverse while stabbing the brake pedal. (Do not try this at home.)

 

I'd suggest doing that may well do the studs nottalottagood at all.

 

 

[AndyID]

47 minutes ago, SM42 said:

 

That raised rim on the hub is more than just for alignment. 

It's what holds the weight of the vehicle. The studs are just there to stop  the wheel falling off. 

 

 

 

Alas, no.

 

If that were the case the nuts would only be simple nuts with a lock washer. The hub sets up basic alignment but the nuts with the taper interface with the wheel pull the rim into final alignment. Old five-bolt VW's had no alignment hub at all. Attaching the rim to the hub is all about the friction between the wheel rim and the hub.

[AndyID]

8 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Another way would be to jack up, slacken and then (standing with your back to the wheel) do a back kick with the sole of your foot against the side of the tyre.

 

 

I'd suggest doing that may well do the studs nottalottagood at all.

 

 

 

Quite so. But you won't put much bending moment on the studs if you only back-off the nuts so that the studs are no longer in tension. It's more 5th year mechanics than rocket science.

[SM42]

19 minutes ago, AndyID said:

 

Alas, no.

 

If that were the case the nuts would only be simple nuts with a lock washer. The hub sets up basic alignment but the nuts with the taper interface with the wheel pull the rim into final alignment. Old five-bolt VW's had no alignment hub at all. Attaching the rim to the hub is all about the friction between the wheel rim and the hub.

 

Intriguing  that after market wheels come with a spacer to take up any slack between wheel and hub rim. 

 

Hanging the wheel on the studs should be alignment enough and the spacer  unnecessary.

 

My info came from a professional, but I suppose having seen some not line the wheel up with the studs before lifting it on and juggling it in mid air, that don't mean a lot. 

 

Not many seem to know how a torque wrench works either.

 

Andy

[pH]

33 minutes ago, polybear said:

Another way would be to jack up, slacken and then (standing with your back to the wheel) do a back kick with the sole of your foot against the side of the tyre.

… or face the wheel and kick the tire with steel-toed boots - that works too!

[AndyID]

7 minutes ago, SM42 said:

 

Intriguing  that after market wheels come with a spacer to take up any slack between wheel and hub rim. 

 

Hanging the wheel on the studs should be alignment enough and the spacer  unnecessary.

 

My info came from a professional, but I suppose having seen some not line the wheel up with the studs before lifting it on and juggling it in mid air, that don't mean a lot. 

 

Not many seem to know how a torque wrench works either.

 

Andy

 

Wheels do not "hang on the the studs" under any circumstances. With all due respect I can assure you your "professional" is blowing smoke up your kilt 😀

 

The purpose of the studs/bolts is to connect the wheel semi-permanently with the hub by the friction created by the studs/bolts in tension.

 

If you don't believe me, ask why the nuts/bolts have a taper where they interface with the wheel rim. Wouldn't a lock-washer be more than sufficient?

[Happy Hippo]

3 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

I used to do a lot of work for the MoD and had a lot of interaction with the RN technical people. I have to say they were all extremely competent and their technical expertise second to none. Most of them were quite senior, lieutenant commander, commander and captain (captain in the RN is more senior than most realise, most ships are commanded by more junior ranks and only capital ships have an actual captain). The problems I say weren't a lack of knowledge and expertise but a dysfunctional procurement system. One aspect which struck me as wasteful was 'falling off the captain's list', captain's get to the point where they are either promoted to flag rank or have to retire from the navy. I knew a couple of excellent people who fell off the list. They went to BAE and seemed pretty happy swapping seats.

I cannot really comment on what is the contemporary processes in the armed forces, but in the past The RN used to be unique in that it has a system whereby officers who commit errors, can be docked seniority in that rank. Since the seniority is based on years in the rank a promotion zone becomes similar to a temperature gauge which is coded yellow,  green and red.  Yellow is not yet, green is the go zone and red speaks for itself.

 

So an officer who sees he is either approaching the red zone or who has just passed into it, commits an error that reduces his seniority in the rank, and neatly slides pack into the promotion zone!

 

A Commander who was probably for the scrap heap and had been passed over for promotion, suddenly found himself back in the running and eventually promoted after he managed to run his Frigate aground.

 

Dave can better comment on the RAF, but for aircrew, there are two routes. The specialist aircrew who have a promotion ceiling of Sqn Ldr, but spend their career as aviators.  The others spend half their career commanding a desk.

 

The Army is far more blunt.

 

Any officer who cannot pass the Captain to Major examination is compulsory retired. (It is rumoured that the Ginger Whinger jumped before being pushed:  Ditto his Aunt's first husband.)

At higher levels, a Lt Col who is passed over can either leave or be placed on the special list.  although he retains his Lt Col pension rights on retirement, his service pay for the last few years of service, pay is reduced accordingly and he fulfils roles at the SO2 (Major) level.

 

The Army were also good at employing retired officers in Headquarters appointments and they were graded RO3-RO1. Of course this reduced the number of staff appointments for serving officers and saved that MoD quite a bit of money as they did not need as many regular officers to fill those appointments.  Of course lack of staff appointments also meant that it thinned down the number of officers eligible for promotion, as they did not have the requisite staff experience!

 

However, it does not matter how good you are, any physical injury that permanently downgrades your fitness status, immediately terminates you on the promotion ladder in your substantive rank