Biggin Hill Mosquito!

It’s on again!

RESTORED MOSQUITO TO BE BASED AT BIGGIN HILL

WWII Mosquitos to return to Biggin Hill
Mosquito at Biggin Hill – announcement by Peter Monk, Managing Director of flyaspitfire.com and the Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill):

“Following previous announcements and patiently waiting for availability in a busy restoration programme we’re delighted to confirm that we’ve now commissioned the team at AVSPECS NZ to commence the restoration of a Mosquito FB.VI . Upon completion the aircraft will join our fleet of 2 seat Spitfires and other WWII aircraft that are available for flight experiences here at Biggin Hill.

The team at AVSPECS are leaders in the field of Mosquito restoration and this will be the 5th airframe that they have restored to an airworthy condition. Whilst there’s always an appetite for us to take on different restoration projects at our own ‘Spitfire Factory’ at Biggin Hill, the unique skill set and proven experience of the team at AVSPECS makes them an obvious choice for this special project.

The restoration is scheduled to take 3 years and once completed the aircraft will complete a commemorative tour of New Zealand, Australia and then on to the UK in honour of the Commonwealth pilots that flew Mosquitos in WWII.

The Mosquito has a special place in history and we’re still deciding which specific markings the aircraft will carry upon its completion. Recognition of the pilots and French resistance fighters that took part in ‘Operation Jericho’ on 18th February 1944 is a popular choice, however we’re still considering a number of options and will be releasing regular updates on the progress of the project on Facebook.

We believe this will be the only airworthy example of the Mosquito in Europe and we’re excited at the prospect of offering members of the public the chance to ‘Fly a Mosquito’ from Biggin Hill in 2026.”

Three months on from my post, and still nothing I’ve seen from BHHH on their site or Facebook page…is anyone else still on the edge of their seat waiting to learn more?

My gut says new-build, but I’m in no position to say for sure.

It was when I shared that link in the TV959 thread at another forum that I saw this from earlier in the year. Ignoring the fact that – to me – the fuselage in the photo looks like a fighter (TV959?) and is irrelevant to the article….

Page 6, June 2015 issue of FlyPast (not my scan)

…is the BHHH project DZ542? I’ve not seen any mention anywhere about who DZ542 is for.

Did they go with a new-build fuselage for TV959 or re-use the original in the end?

Avspec have placed a short video of TV959 on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Avspecs/?fref=nf

Impressive progress, I think!

Thanks for the link. Looks like great progress; the wing wasn’t mated when I saw the project back in April.

I never expected to see any progress reports, photos or video about TV959. Very exciting!

No updates from BHHH that I’ve seen, although there is a placeholder page on their website: http://www.flyaspitfire.com/d-h-98-mosquito/

Avspec have placed a short video of TV959 on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Avspecs/?fref=nf

Impressive progress, I think!

Very slight thread drift, how manoeuvrable was the Mosquito in comparison with the Bf109 but more importantly the Bf110?

As Mike alluded to on the other thread, we may be looking at two aircraft coming to the UK; neither of them the TPM project. Interesting times.

Indeed! Very interesting.

As far as I know PZ474 is for Rod Lewis – I hadn’t seen the ownership mentioned anywhere public until now – and TV959 was purchased by Paul Allen/FHC (although photos of it arriving at Ardmore vanished from the ‘net soon after). I thought Glyn’s machine was the BHHH one but was informed that it’s not – I’ve not heard anything about the disposition of NZ2308 since it was listed for sale with Platinum in February last year.

So I’m very curious to see which ID BHHH has, and to learn more about the other project! Who knows where PF670/N9868F is?

Hi All,

I haven’t read all the posts on here properly, so if I repeat something, apologies.

As far as I know Glyn Powell’s Mosquito has been sold the Rod Lewis in Texas (so I’ve been informed). The Mosquito that I think that is coming back is TV959. This Mosquito had its starboard wing cut off so it could fit in the London Science Museum. I know its been residing with Avspecs for the last couple of years.

Cheers,
Neil

You maybe right, Mike – time will tell. I assumed TV959 might’ve been coming home because of the short time span and as no-one had seemed to have mentioned this airframe I thought I’d see if there was any reaction to my suggestion.

Chers,
Neil

Dangerous style?

TV959 was exported six years ago now.

There are a number of balls in the air right now. As Mike alluded to on the other thread, we may be looking at two aircraft coming to the UK; neither of them the TPM project. Interesting times.

I’m not sure that there is necessarily a ‘short time span’

You maybe right, Mike – time will tell. I assumed TV959 might’ve been coming home because of the short time span and as no-one had seemed to have mentioned this airframe I thought I’d see if there was any reaction to my suggestion.

Chers,
Neil

I think you’ve got your wires crossed on both counts Neilly. Rod Lewis’ aircraft is PZ474 (last seen at Chino) and TV959 is owned by Paul Allen

Hi All,

I haven’t read all the posts on here properly, so if I repeat something, apologies.

As far as I know Glyn Powell’s Mosquito has been sold the Rod Lewis in Texas (so I’ve been informed). The Mosquito that I think that is coming back is TV959. This Mosquito had its starboard wing cut off so it could fit in the London Science Museum. I know its been residing with Avspecs for the last couple of years.

Cheers,
Neil

Exactly! I have a deerstalker to wear if need be, now I just need a magnifying glass! :eagerness:

Seafuryfan – Google Maps says 4hr37m without traffic.

He’ll be quite close Sunday after next, at the Warbirds Open Day!
The previous Open Day we were able to get even closer than normal (but still not in the AvSpecs hangar).

We share the enthusiasm K5054NZ but I think it’s going to be a long haul. How close are you to Avspecs? 🙂

It’s been a week since the announcement on the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar’s Facebook page of the Mosquito project and there haven’t been any public updates (mind you I haven’t been to Facebook for a couple of hours!). Has anyone heard anything, be they tiny whispers or major scoops?

I’m trying to be patient. Honest!

So, out of curiosity, what would the current serial be?
Glynn Powells website lists it as NZ2308. (is this not it’s most current identity?)

It is NZ2308 at present and whenever I’ve read mention of it, it’s NZ2308. I had thought this was the machine involved in the BHHH project but I’ve been told otherwise privately.

Also, I’m 99.98% sure the aircraft in Mark12’s photograph is NZ2308.