Get a Mosquito back in the air

Whats the story with the ex TFC machine? I was not aware SG ever had one.

Yes I’m new here so I apologise to any one who found my suggesting offensive. But standing in the hanger at Coningsby on Thursday the 6th September. I just felt that if they ever got one flying again, that’s where it should be at. The lotto is not a bad idea even if it was to be a replica.

Its a great idea have a look at this. Its the donating bit i don’t like:D

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73668

I dont think this question has been specifically covered before.

I was playing devils advocate a little. Truth is, there are not many airframes, outside of national collections that could be considered for return to flight.

RR299 was to be operated by BBMF, but was destroyed shortly before that was due to take place.

Perhaps you would consider why anyone (or group of people) would wish to spend £3M plus on an aircraft to donate to BBMF?

Bruce

LOL:D

York Mosquito

Tony Agar’s NF.II Mosquito at Elvington has been a mammoth restoration task, but has been completed with no thought of flight in mind.

At the Elvington Airshow for the last couple of years this Mosquito has been rolled out (this year to outside the main hangar in the museum, last year onto the airshow flightline) and thus a lot more people have become aware of its existence!

More information and lots of pictures of this aircraft can be seen here: http://www.mossie.org/HJ711.htm.

Andy

There is a professional looking Mosquito at RAF Elvington near York (or there was when i went there in 2000) It seems painstakingly rebuilt but it is not for me to say whether the procedures/parts/adhesives used were with a view to the option of future flight!

I’d just like to add my apprecation for your post, Bruce. Having a ‘Subject Matter Expert’ (as we call them) on hand to give the definitive view is good news for the forum.

Well said,

I think we have experts on the forum for most types, which is a unique occurence. Very informative.

Cheers

Cees

I’d just like to add my apprecation for your post, Bruce. Having a ‘Subject Matter Expert’ (as we call them) on hand to give the definitive view is good news for the forum.

Thanks for the update Bruce and putting to rest some of the myths that are going around.

Right, here is the story. Are you sitting comfortably?

Firstly, Novorapid, welcome to the forum. Apologies if we made you feel less than welcome. Stick with us – it can be a bumpy ride sometimes, but we aren’t a bad bunch when you get to know us!

Now, lets cover the Kermit Weeks Mossie first. The aircraft has been on display at Oshkosh for many years now, and cannot be considered as airworthy any longer. It was however in perfect working order whn it left the UK, and indeed was in perfect working order when flown to Oshkosh for display. I hear lots of stories about how the wing is falling to bits, or that the wood is falling off the tail, but these are just stories. The aircraft was flown in, and has just sat – there is no reason why it couldnt be resurrected in the future. I have heard a number of reports of delamination, but it is my belief that the fabric covering is coming away; that is all.

Right, lets touch on surviving Mosquito’s before we turn to the new builds.

The best candidate of all the surviving aircraft was TW117. Just before it left the RAF Museum, a number of parties were interested in acquiring it to restore to fly, but it came to nought. As part of a complex deal, the Mosquito went to Norway, and the RAF Museum received the Nash collection, which it already displayed but didnt own. TW117 is now ‘dressed’ as a FBVI in Bodo.

VR796 has been under restoration in Canada for almost 30 years, first with the late Don Campbell in Kapuskasing, and more recently with Bob Jens. The last pictures I saw showed a pretty complete aircraft, but with unrestored engines fitted. I have no idea how close it is to flight.

Our own TA634 was surveyed as a possible return to flight candidate after the loss of RR299 in 1996, but lack of funds meant this has not been attempted. TA634 could be returned to flight, but it would require a great deal of work, and of course the museum wopuld lose a star exhibit. TA122, our FBVI has unauthorised fuselage repairs, and a wing that has been assembled from non-airworthy parts, so that too is out of the question.

The ex TFC T3 remains in store at present. Time will tell if that is returned to flight status.

Of the remainder, the majority are either in national museums, or in too poor a condition to be considered for restoration (or indeed a combination of the two). However, if we turn our eyes to New Zealand, and look at what Avspecs and Glyn Powell are doing, we do start to see some hope for the future.

KA114, a Canadian FB26, is currently under rebuild for the Fighter Factory, and will have entirely new wooden structures, but fitted with original metal parts and systems. This is a huge undertaking, but one that is going very well. There is no reason why this exercise cannot be done again, but the problem may be finding enough metal parts to make it viable. There are other kits of parts around though, and time will tell as to how many aircraft are rebuilt in this manner.

With regard to the Mosquito flying in the UK, BAe have stated that they will no longer support the aircraft in any way, which could make certification difficult. Whilst this is less of a problem with original structures, it becomes a big problem with new parts, in that the work has to be carried out under the supervision of an authorised UK company. The main issue however, is lack of a suitable project!

More information?

www.mossie.org is a good site for more information on the survivors.

www.warbirdrestoration.com will give you lots of information about the New Zealand rebuild.

Bruce

Yes I’m new here so I apologise to any one who found my suggesting offensive.

Thats very polite of you but in reading the responses I do not see anyone offended – there might be a suggestion that your query is a touch naive, but then this is a discussion forum.

Yes I’m new here so I apologise to any one who found my suggesting offensive. But standing in the hanger at Coningsby on Thursday the 6th September. I just felt that if they ever got one flying again, that’s where it should be at. The lotto is not a bad idea even if it was to be a replica.

Perhaps you would consider why anyone (or group of people) would wish to spend £3M plus on an aircraft to donate to BBMF?

Bruce

If U.K. aviation enthuiasts can talk the Lottery fund out of enough money to help restore a Vulcan should be able to get 3 million quid for a more historic and affordable to operate aircraft. 😀

Whats the chance of Kermit Weeks selling his as that is potentially airworthy?

But it would be a hell of a sight.

curlyboy

Can Kermit Weeks example still be considered as potentially airworthy though?

Unsure how true it is but I think I remember hearing that since RS712 went state side the change in humidty affected the wood/glue bond pretty badly.

I to would love to see a Mossie in the skies once more. I only saw the BAe example fly once but it was one of the most impressive and moving sights Ive ever seen.

bruce, aren’t there a couple of mosquito’s at your place??? 😀

Whats the chance of Kermit Weeks selling his as that is potentially airworthy?

But it would be a hell of a sight.

curlyboy

I dont think this question has been specifically covered before.

I was playing devils advocate a little. Truth is, there are not many airframes, outside of national collections that could be considered for return to flight.

RR299 was to be operated by BBMF, but was destroyed shortly before that was due to take place.

Perhaps you would consider why anyone (or group of people) would wish to spend £3M plus on an aircraft to donate to BBMF?

Bruce

Yes Firebird that is the one.

Recently saw some pics from one of our members and have had discussions with a gentlemen who knows the project intimately.

Very near completion, searching out some small parts such as fittings and oil cooler brackets for completion. That I understand is taking the time.

This one has been on the go for must be 20 years…will be great to see it fly as it is the siser ship to our static restoration.

Tom H

In case you were not aware

There is a Mossie that will be flying soon in Richmond BC, can’t remeber the details off hand but will post them when I find them.

Tom H

Bob Jens B.35, VR796, is under long term restoration to fly at Vancouver International…..is this the one you mean…?

Mind you, not seen much info on this project for a few years now….:confused:

Mossie.

Hi Tom,

Is this the one Stephen Grey was going to buy until the new Euro-rules
about OAPs came in with regard to flying twins. I heard the one which
TFC inspected at Duxford a few years ago from Lambeth, you know the one
that the I.W.M. sawn-off the wing had concerns about the status of the glue
involved in the wood. A guy in New Zealand was building new moulds for
Mossies, check out the Mossie-site for details.

Regards, Gary.

Can’t the Aviation community get together and get a Mosquito back in the air. And then donate it, to the RAF (The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) it would look something along side Phantom of the Ruhr up there

Some recent threads are starting to concern me. Is it possible that new members could be advised about the search facility to see if their questions have already been discussed.:confused: