On 7^th July, members of the Monobloc Club were invited to visit Howco in Irvine to view progress with the construction of No. 2007's cylinder block.  The P2 engineering team arrived at about 11:00hrs and were met by two very keen Monobloc Club Members already waiting.  The P2 team then had a technical meeting with Howco discussing requirements for blanks, etc. and the two early birds really enjoyed being party to the discussion. 

Just before 12.30hrs the other club supporters arrived in time to have lunch in the canteen with the Howco team - including a tasty chicken curry!  After lunch everyone got dressed up in very fetching PPE.  Howco took the group on a tour around the machine shop explaining what they use the machines for, with the oil and gas industry as Howco's main business. They viewed the inspection equipment, paint and pressure test facility and saw the P2 cylinder liners and valve covers ready to be machined.

The group then went to the Drummond site (two miles away) where the cylinder block was being welded up and everyone had a good look round the monobloc under assembly. David Elliott, Director of P2 Engineering (who designed the cylinder block) was in his element, taking questions and explaining things. The Howco representatives were helpful, explaining the welding challenges they are overcoming.

The next steps are to finish the welding and measure the important features. If all is well, the block will then be heated to stress-relieve the assembly before measuring again to quantify any distortion. Following this, a few weeks of machining will begin. Completion and delivery are planned for the autumn. 

Whilst construction of the monobloc has accelerated, we need fundraising to keep pace. If you are interested in supporting this project, please consider becoming Monobloc Club member, a P2 Covenantor or making a one off donation here.

Photos in the accompanying gallery by Terry Graham.

In June, Howco engineers measure the monobloc using a Faro gauge.