A Community Involved Project
by White Gum Air Park

A Community Involved Project by White Gum Air Park

Latest News

Updates on the campaign to rescue and relocate two Boeing 737-200 in Perth Western Australia

WIng Transported!

12/12/2018

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Thanks to TOLL, we have one wing on the ground at White Gum Air Park in York.
Wow what an awesome day it was. The guys from TOLL are fantastic.
We had an incident free journey with the wing, some small challenges along the way that the two TOLL guys took in their stride and the task was carried out in a very professional manner. Their friendly smiles and great sense of humour made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

How do you get a 4.5m wide load through a 4.3m security gate? Easy, ask Toll!
Despite our bulldozing and grading, the track through the bush into White Gum was still too narrow and windy, but not for Daryl and Scott!

Without the support of TOLL I don't know if we could have achieved any of this.
Thank you Andrew, Daryl and Scott.
Thank you Toll.

Did you guess how many bolts hold a wing on?
168 Outer Upper Surface
80 Inner Upper Spars
46 Leading Edge
116 Outer Lower Surface
21 Trailing Edge
Total 431

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November 04th, 2018

4/11/2018

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Finally, we know how to remove a wing from a Boeing 737. Who said it couldn't be done?
I have yet to count the number of bolts that hold the wing on but, that’s just half the story...
Preparing the wing, removing all mechanical and electrical connections between it and the fuselage, both internally and externally were all achieved with the help from volunteers. With no overhead cranes and exposed to the elements of the weather, we invented our own method of supporting and lowering the wing. It was a little daunting at times as we were unsure how the wing would react, nevertheless we took our time ensuring all was safe and proceeded with caution.
I am impressed (to say the least) with all of our volunteers and input received, the wing came away and behaved very well. It was lowered to the ground in an almost ceremonious fashion with great respect. (These wings have travelled around the world many times and carried passengers for many thousands of kilometres). We did well, not bad for a bunch of amateurs!

Our most stubborn bolts were the two you see opposite. These two took over three days to remove. The nuts are on the inside of the wing tank all the way at the rear where the wing gets to its thinnest; swinging a hammer inside there is very restrictive. After removal of the sealing compound which buries the nut we jacked the bolt with a hydraulic cylinder. Swinging the biggest hammer we had on the outside the bolt was shocked out to the position in the photo. The rest of the way out went with relative ease.

Now we have easier access to the centre wing tank, (I can start to drink Guinness again) this will make removing the next wing a little easier as we have a much freer access point. Must be your turn to get in there!
Take a look at our facebook page to see a short video of the wing removal.
Hands up, all those that have been inside the wing tank of a Boeing 737...
Well, that's three of us...

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Main Landing Gear Beams

6/10/2018

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At last we have had some good weather which has enabled the volunteers to get out to the aircraft and use the power tools and equipment.
Another discovery, just when we thought we were close; before removing the wings you must remove the Main Landing Gear Beam. (Thanks Mark).

The MLG support beams, as those of us in the know call them ;) 'are connected to the wing rear spars at the outboard ends and to the fuselage by means of swing links at the inboard ends. To remove the support beam, the complete landing gear, the swing link, the flap transmission, spoiler actuator and supports, flap drive and miscellaneous electrical and hydraulic clamps must be removed.' According to the Boeing 737 Maintenance Manual.

We have also cut a larger access from the centre fuel tank into the wing tank of OZX. Now I can get through and drink Guinness again.
Our volunteers also removed both Inboard Leading Edge Flaps. (google Krueger flaps). This gives us better access to the wing bolts.

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Perth Now / Sunday Times

27/5/2018

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Even if you don't read the Sunday Times newspaper you can read the story here.

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To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before (Captain James T. Kirk)

29/4/2018

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There wouldn't be many people in the world that have seen inside the wing tank of a Boeing 737. There would be even less that have ventured inside.

The volunteers of Project 737-200 are a rare breed indeed.

Meet Laponya one of our female volunteers showing the 'men' how its done.

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ABC Perth Drive

20/4/2018

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Have a listen to our interview by Geoff Hutchison from ABC Radio Perth.
ABC Drive

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Airborne?

21/3/2018

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Almost; and as close as VH-OZX will ever get. Tyres off the bitumen; the complete aircraft supported by jacks and cradles.
The big question on every ones lips is WHEN? If only I had a dollar for each time I am asked this... Once we are secure on the cradles the main gear can be removed. Then we can attack the wing joint. Once we see what holds this together we should be in a position to estimate a departure date.

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Pratt & Whitney

9/2/2018

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All 4 engines are now safe and secure at the destination. Thanks to Gary at White Gum Farm for the hangar space.
If your looking to get away for the weekend or longer check out the Caravan Park and Facilities!

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Two Tales

8/12/2017

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The tail story ends happily in York.
TOLL Heavy Haulage parked one of their low loaders at the airport for 4 days. During this time we loaded and secured the support stand to the trailer. Then with only a 'little' trepidation we loaded both tails onto the stands.
On Monday morning TOLL arrived with the prime mover and wasted no time hitching up. The load was double secured, checked and checked again before we pulled out of the airport in the rain.
There were lots of drivers on the road doing a double take as they wondered what was on the back of this wide truck. Safely up Greenmount hill and through Mundaring we stopped and checked the load. So far so good.
Turning off at 'The Lakes' we just had to stop for a coffee. Handed out a few contact cards to the sightseer's and we were on the longest leg.
We stopped in York for a brief load check and obligatory photo before the narrowest part of the journey.
The gravel road would only permit a slow speed so there were plenty of photo and video opportunities. Its not often you see two 737 tails traversing a gravel road in the bush!
The narrow winding track through our neighbours property was a challenge, somewhat narrow for a low loader. For Mick our TOLL driver it was all in a days work. Expertly navigating the twists, turns potholes and wash aways.
As Mick turned into the runway the rain had disappeared. White Gum Farm assisted us with the unloading which went very smoothly. More than I can say for 600 horse-power of bogged prime mover and trailer! Garth the Grader came to the rescue and pulled Mick and Mack free.
Phew, what a day... Thanks heap TOLL.

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Engine One

22/10/2017

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The JT8D-15A is an axial flow front turbofan engine having a 13 stage split compressor, a nine can (can−annular) combustion chamber and a split four stage reaction−impulse turbine.
The engine is equipped with a full length annular fan discharge duct. Producing 15,500 lbs (7,030 Kg) of thrust each, making them capable of lifting 52 Tonnes of 737 into the air, with lots of noise and smoke.

Lovely stuff!

Despite being the responsible brute force of the aircraft the engine came away surprisingly easy.

Over 6m long, this is going to look impressive on the back of a truck!

Three more to go..

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