Taken from the Gloucestershire Echo web site:
It was known as the wooden wonder and played a key role in the fight to beat the Nazi war machine. The Mosquito bomber was an innovative design, made completely of wood, and saw the light of day only because of the determination of the designers at de Havilland.
Sadly, few of them have survived after going out of service in the 1950s.
Now one man’s battle to build a replica could go up in smoke.
Dave Hall has spent nine years re-creating a full-size model.
His employer Devonair has let him keep it free at work but the company is leaving Kemble airfield at the end of the year.
Now he cannot find anywhere affordable to house the 40ft bomber – £6,000 was the cheapest offer.
He said: “I’m faced with three choices. I can build a big bonfire, sell it or leave it for someone else to move, although they would probably send me the bill.
“What I need is someone to let me have it for a peppercorn rent.”
Much of the plane has been completed, with the fuselage virtually done, the tailplane made, five wheels attached and 80 per cent of the cockpit finished.
Dave needs another two or three years to finish it.
If he does, it will be the only full-size replica of an original 1941 Mosquito.
At Kemble Air Show last year, a former crewman sat in it for five minutes, speechless.
“I thought, ‘oh no, I’ve got something wrong’ but he came down with a tear in his eye and said he never thought he’d sit in one again,” said Dave.
For more info please contact [EMAIL=dave@kemblemossie.org.uk]Mossie Replica[/EMAIL]
By: JetBlast - 29th July 2006 at 13:34
Anybody know what the latest on this project is?
Is it still at Kemble?
There has been allsorts of rumours flying around, including a very strong one linking it to move to Enstone, Oxon. but she can be found at the back of Delta Jets’ hangar at Kemble at the moment.
By: --o-o-O-o-o-- - 29th July 2006 at 09:15
Anybody know what the latest on this project is?
Is it still at Kemble?
By: dhfan - 7th February 2006 at 07:51
I’d forgotten TJ118.
Despite the huge effort over many years going into TA122, I’ve always regarded it as a half. Possibly time to revise my system.
By: TempestV - 7th February 2006 at 07:29
Correction
dhfan – “Isn’t it 2.1/2?”
W4050 Prototype – Complete/Under restoration
TA122 F.B.VI – Complete/Under restoration
TA634 TT.35/B.35 – Complete/diplayed
TJ118 TT.35/B.35 – Fuselage only/dismantled
= 3.5 mosquitos.
🙂
By: Propstrike - 6th February 2006 at 22:23
For any museum that would be a great exhibit. It has the ‘presence’ of a Mosquito, a charismatic shape that would appeal to the general public, most of whom would not know, or be much troubled by the fact that it is a reproduction.
For better or for worse, I suspect that they would probably rather see that than a perfectly restored Vampire, for instance, which though worthy, is not quite so glamorous.
By: dhfan - 6th February 2006 at 20:25
I’m sure “Bruce and Co.” have got enough storage problems with 3.5 real mosquitos.
Isn’t it 2.1/2? 🙂
I agree it does look a little odd around the canopy but I’m not going to complain, not least as it’s an impressive achievement by any standards and far better than I would dare to attempt.
MAM or Newark both spring to mind but as the guy’s based at Kemble, presumably that would at least greatly slow down the project or at worst stop it altogether due to distance.
By: MarkG - 6th February 2006 at 19:50
As good as this project undoubtedly is, it looks a little odd around the canopy.
The canopy does indeed look a bit strange, and the Canberra nose glazing makes the nose look odd too.
Having said that though, this is a wonderful project and it would be a desperate, crying shame if it was wasted and the replica broken up. My congratulations go to the builder on his achievement and the very best of luck in finding a new home for it.
By: RPSmith - 6th February 2006 at 17:37
I, personally, would love to see a Mosquito at the Midland Air Museum.
Standard Motors at Canley, Coventry (about 2 miles down the A45) built over 1,000 of them – final assembly/test flying from Ansty (now a Rolls Royce factory).
I’ll keep dreaming…..
Roger Smith.
By: Moggy C - 6th February 2006 at 14:58
IWM North.
Thus doubling its aviation content overnight.
Moggy
By: Charley - 6th February 2006 at 14:31
East Kirkby might be a fitting home, perhaps?
By: The Blue Max - 6th February 2006 at 13:30
Im sure if the Sywell museum hangar was built they would love to give it a god home, Brooklands use to refurb mossie,s on the field.
By: Consul - 6th February 2006 at 12:24
Where is Devonair moving?
By: Bruce - 6th February 2006 at 11:55
As good as this project undoubtedly is, it looks a little odd around the canopy.
We dont have any storage space for it unfortunately, and I think it would be fairer all round to let someone else have a bite of the cherry. We are better provided for Mosquito aircraft than anywhere else on the planet!
I liked the quote – ‘If he does, it will be the only full-size replica of an original 1941 Mosquito.’
I dont even know what it means!
Five wheels – Four on the trailer, and one at the tail!
Bruce
By: DazDaMan - 6th February 2006 at 11:47
Is this the one I read about, that was going to taxi around? Or is it another?
*guess it’s not – should have looked at the pictures first! :rolleyes:
By: TempestV - 6th February 2006 at 11:40
Home for a mosi replica.
I’m sure “Bruce and Co.” have got enough storage problems with 3.5 real mosquitos.
Are there any other aircraft museums that would be interested?
By: JDK - 6th February 2006 at 11:39
five wheels attached and 80 per cent of the cockpit finished.
Five Wheels?
Must be difficult to three-point.
I wish him the best of luck, but there’s a lesson here. If the capital cost don’t get you, the hangarage will…
By: Dave T - 6th February 2006 at 11:32
I’m sure Bruce and Co’ would give it a home ? 😀
By: Fouga23 - 6th February 2006 at 11:14
That one definatly needs a good home. Really amazing.
some pics:
http://www.bc-heritage.com/bch/news00290.asp
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February 6, 2006 at 10:50 am