24-06-2021, 11:55 AM
Well, the split collets would be held in place by spring pressure on the round item that the upper end of the spring presses against (can't remember its name! 
)
The New Scientist article by Barry Fox that Chriswood gave the link to, also says that the clearances were readjusted tight, as they tended to increase in service - that's exactly what would be expected as the valve adjuster winds itself away from pressure. And not that they were readjusted loose, as they tended to close-up (which would be the unfavourable direction - fortunately not credible).
Any loss of life is tragic, but what a strategic disaster losing all that expertise.
Barry also mentions the pilot had only 13 hours experience in the Halifax - I'll bet he was selected to clock-up more flying hours in the Halifax on a low-risk mission, "Just take up the geeks, fly around the Severn estuary, it's daytime, not over enemy country, weather is good, you won't even need to do any weird manoeuvres." It would all make perfect sense.
)The New Scientist article by Barry Fox that Chriswood gave the link to, also says that the clearances were readjusted tight, as they tended to increase in service - that's exactly what would be expected as the valve adjuster winds itself away from pressure. And not that they were readjusted loose, as they tended to close-up (which would be the unfavourable direction - fortunately not credible).
Any loss of life is tragic, but what a strategic disaster losing all that expertise.
Barry also mentions the pilot had only 13 hours experience in the Halifax - I'll bet he was selected to clock-up more flying hours in the Halifax on a low-risk mission, "Just take up the geeks, fly around the Severn estuary, it's daytime, not over enemy country, weather is good, you won't even need to do any weird manoeuvres." It would all make perfect sense.
