Pro-Align engineer takes on big challenge

6 October 2014  

A Senior Engineer at wheel alignment specialist Pro-Align has found himself taking on a very different, yet important, servicing challenge on a Lancaster Bomber.

Colin Granton was drafted in to help repair an engine on the Canadian War Heritage museum aircraft, which was over in the UK on a three-month tour. While on approach to Durham Tees Valley airport, the engine failed and although aircraft made a safe landing, it was left stranded as most of the plane’s support crew had already returned to Canada. As an experienced pilot of 12 years with his own Cessna plane, Colin is no stranger to the airport and was called in to see what support and assistance he could provide.

He explains: “This is certainly one of the most bizarre service calls I’ve ever taken, but it was an absolute pleasure to help out. Being able to get my hands dirty on such an iconic plane was a bit of a dream. With a van so well-equipped of tools, and the help of a fantastic group of volunteers I managed to pull together, we worked throughout the weekend, removing cleaning and refitting parts from, the old engine to the new one, helping save two days on the normal engine change time.”

Following the assistance from Colin and his fellow helpers, the plane continued its journey safely returning to Canada.