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When Saywell International, one of the world's largest aircraft spares and components stockists, needed a set of replacement seals to be manufactured for an Andover aircraft's "kneeling undercarriage", they turned to DP Seals, one of the UK's foremost suppliers of precision custom rubber seals and mouldings.

Originally built around 1965 for cargo delivery and intra-theatre casualty evacuation, the Hawker Siddeley Andover was retired from the RAF in the early nineties. It continues to be operated as a training and trials aircraft under the military register of Qinetiq, a leading international provider of technology-based services and solutions to the defence, security and related markets.

This twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft has a kneeling undercarriage, allowing the fuselage to be lowered for unloading vehicles on uneven ground. Kneeling is carried out by transferring oil from the undercarriage second stage oleo shock absorber into the main hydraulic system, the reverse is carried out to stand the aircraft back to flight position prior to take-off.

"DP Seals was the only company prepared to tool up for our needs because of the low numbers involved"
Ollie Reed, Sales Co-ordinator

DP Seals uses transfer moulding, a process characterised by low set-up times with high accuracy and repeatability, making it ideal for short prototype runs as well as volume production. Tools are produced in the company’s in-house tool room equipped with precision CNC machinery. Material and tool are preheated and pressure applied to force the material into the tool cavity mould to form the part. Product is then de-flashed, an area where DP Seals pioneered cryogenic cleaning.

"They responded very quickly and professionally, producing precision seals from our old drawings"
Mark Percival, Senior Technical Engineer

Hawker Siddeley is now part of BAe Systems and DP Seals has achieved BAe Approval for producing spare parts; as a result, the company is also producing seals for other aircraft in the HS748 family, and for Jetstream 31 and 32 commuter aircraft. DP Seals recently gained AS 9100 accreditation, further underlining its commitment to supporting the global aerospace industry.

See DP Seals' new Aerospace website for more information on the company's work in this industry.

About Saywell International
Originally founded in 1946 to provide spares for Tiger Moth, Rapide and other Gypsy-engined aircraft, Saywell International has grown to become a leading supplier to the world's major and regional airlines. The company has offices in the UK, USA, Canada and Singapore and houses what is probably the largest combined aircraft spares inventory in the world. More information is available at saywell.co.uk.