FLYER Forums

Along with a couple of other chaps in our syndicate, I'm currently restoring the original John Isaacs Spitfire to airworthiness. The wheels and brakes are Dunlops, apparently as fitted to Beagle Pups. I'm aware that DH Support are the TRA holders, but MM is always very busy and I don't want to call until I really have to for seemingly such minor items. So can anyone advise where I might get new brake pistons, seals and pucks?

Please don't tell me they're hens teeth. If they are in the unobtanium bracket, what do people do for replacements?

Fingers crossed.
H

Brakes International, Rochdale are pretty good at getting rare and wondrous automotive items, recently got 7/8" cup-seals for a 1956 Rolls Cloud ( Girling)rear brake-cylinders. proper job,as close examination showed proper lip-profile. £2.00 each nowadays!

People generally get them replaced with the "Cleveland" conversion... The originals were rubbish and often resulted in you doing pirouettes at the hold when hot!
Airspeed Aviation at Derby are Pup specialists and might be able to help...

The originals are fine when they work. Yes, the Joneses at Derby are the people to contact. You might also want to try the people at Netherthorpe.

JonathanB wrote:People generally get them replaced with the "Cleveland" conversion... The originals were rubbish and often resulted in you doing pirouettes at the hold when hot!
Airspeed Aviation at Derby are Pup specialists and might be able to help...

The Cleveland conversion can run to about £2K with today's poor exchange rate. I don't know if an LAA Mod has been approved on the Isaacs Spitfire for these, but not difficult to get one, I'm sure.

Thanks for the info. I'll start phoning...

Paul_Sengupta wrote:The originals are fine when they work..

And when they don’t work you end up writing off a beautiful aeroplane (ask me how I know........... ).

Paul_Sengupta wrote:The originals are fine when they work. Yes, the Joneses at Derby are the people to contact. You might also want to try the people at Netherthorpe.

Thanks Paul. Martin has sorted out exactly what's needed. We're happy.
H

I know a friend of mine had a Pup and the pads were xactly the same as a Jag, not sure which ones but this was early '80s and the approved ones came in exactly the same box but with a stamp and paperwork that cost 10x the price.

Thread drift! Jaguar XJ6 front pads were to be found on the rear of late Rolls Silver Shadows and Silver Spirits the Rolls front wheels had 2 calipers each and each had a set of Ford Cortina 2-litre pads (harder than the 1600 pads)...but, of course, they were a different part-number and a different price and only obtainable from your friendly Rolls agent and wallet-emptier. pretty sure the same ripoffs occur in the Aviation world. @foxmoth only confirms that feeling.

Update: I've had no response after 3 weeks from the guy recommended by the very helpful Martin Jones at Derby, so have been looking elsewhere. I initially found that D Type Jag brake pucks were similar, but would need some lathe work to get them right - at £17 per pad x 8.... Brakes International weren't able to help but put me on to Saftek.co.uk who are able to supply brake pucks exactly to spec for £8 each. I think that's a good result. I'm now just waiting for caliper seals.

Have a think about brake fluid.

I’m running Cleveland’s but with automotive Dot 4 clear fluid. How so? Changed the seals to cope and already had Girling master cylinders.

Found a really helpful firm in Scotland and to cost was pennies compared to most aviation related prices.

Thanks for that CloudHound we'll look into it. Our seals have arrived from LAS, and the pucks from Saftek (highly recommended).