Mosquito KA114 Update

She certainly will be stunning when she returns to the air again! Does anyone know what her colors and marks will be?

There are a couple of schemes under consideration but there is no final decision yet (and not likely to be until nearer completion). An FB6 scheme representing a famous action with a New Zealand connection is a contender.

shes all in silver dope now and looking gorgeous!

Here is a shot I took in April this year.

Now in the revolving jig.

Mark

She certainly will be stunning when she returns to the air again! Does anyone know what her colors and marks will be?

I had a bit of a look at this aircraft today while visiting Ardmore. It looks even more stunning in reality, such beautiful craftsmanship – which i expected from Glynn and his team and the AvSpecs team. There was also a sizeable chunk of the original fuselage sitting next to it with lots of fittings attached, awaiting transfer I’d guess.

Meanwhile nearby was a lovely P-40 and some Spitfires undergoing their own restoration. What a great place!

‘provenance’ or not, if someone can authentically build a ‘Mossie’ and fly her, I’m happy… if there’s some original material in her, all the better, let her keep the original serial and proudly show her off.

It must be close to 20 years ago when I sat idly working indoors (lulled by the sound of the Canadian Coast Guard Dakotas) as the magical sound of several props roared overhead that day, only to find later it was 2 Mossies following the St. Lawrence River westward. One went to the USAF Museum and Kermit Weeks got the other.

I still shake my head for, one day, not jumping and running out the door!

JJ

Much as I love this project I can’t help wondering just how much ‘provenance’ an ALL wooden aeroplane which has had ALL its wood replaced with new can actually have?

Interesting question to which I don’t have an answer. :confused:

How much “provenance” does most restorations especially ones that go back in the air?

Ali

There was a “restored” P.40 in one of the monthlies a year or two back where they seemed quite proud of the fact they’d replaced the complete fuselage, or possibly the entire airframe.

If it looks like a Mosquito, sounds like a Mosquito and flies like a Mosquito…

Amazing job, and I assume he’s got a few less people working on it than de Havilland had. 🙂

Correct David. New wood where needed including new fuselage most metal parts restored or rebuilt.

Was she complete in terms of all these fittings or are other parts being sourced from around the world. I think it’s perfectly charitable to say she is the ‘reborn’ KA114

It’s not all wooden though 😉
There is a fair bit of metal in a Mosquito – all the fittings, the cowlings, control surfaces (flaps excepted), undercarriage, controls, etc…

I suspect this will have just as much provenance, if not more than many other restorations out there.

Really great work. You might like to remind new viewers and those with short memories of the provenance of this Mossie! 🙂

Much as I love this project I can’t help wondering just how much ‘provenance’ an ALL wooden aeroplane which has had ALL its wood replaced with new can actually have?

Interesting question to which I don’t have an answer. :confused:

Amazing progress on this project. May update now up! 🙂

Mossie KA114

Really great work. You might like to remind new viewers and those with short memories of the provenance of this Mossie! 🙂

Very nice work, good luck with the project.

simply gorgeous!