I attended a New Year’s Eve Gala performance in Birmingham by the London Concert Orchestra this afternoon. The programme included pieces by Rossini, Puccini, Verdi, Dvorak etc – but amongst the more modern works offered was a piece by Goodwin ……..”633 Squadron”.
That was a pleasant surprise, but I was really impressed when the conductor Anthony Inglis introduced the piece by explaining that his father had flown Mosquitoes. Inglis went on to inform the audience about the Mossie, its construction, the sad fact that there are currently none airworthy and that the prototype can still be found at London Colney where there is a Mosquito museum! I never thought I’d hear a plug for aircraft preservation during a concert!
Tim
By: dhfan - 3rd January 2012 at 18:02
The Mosquito didn’t have oleos, the undercarriage was rubber in compression.
By: dhfan - 3rd January 2012 at 18:02
The Mosquito didn’t have oleos, the undercarriage was rubber in compression.
By: RPSmith - 2nd January 2012 at 23:15
…funnily enough, quite a few of Mosquito components were made in Brumagem. U/C oleos and cockpit canopies for starters. Then there was Dunlop, wheels, tyres and brakes, possibly controls too….probably a quite a list in toto.
Snoopy, I think Dunlop only made aircraft tyres in Brum – their Aviation Division was (and still is under current owner’s name of Meggitt) in Coventry. Not far from Brum but quite different (superior !!) 🙂
Roger Smith.
PS Standard Motors of Coventry also built over 1000 complete Mosquitoes
By: RPSmith - 2nd January 2012 at 23:15
…funnily enough, quite a few of Mosquito components were made in Brumagem. U/C oleos and cockpit canopies for starters. Then there was Dunlop, wheels, tyres and brakes, possibly controls too….probably a quite a list in toto.
Snoopy, I think Dunlop only made aircraft tyres in Brum – their Aviation Division was (and still is under current owner’s name of Meggitt) in Coventry. Not far from Brum but quite different (superior !!) 🙂
Roger Smith.
PS Standard Motors of Coventry also built over 1000 complete Mosquitoes
By: Consul - 2nd January 2012 at 16:56
I didn’t know about the canopies, interesting snippet – thanks Snoopy
By: Snoopy7422 - 2nd January 2012 at 02:05
..an odd place but..
…funnily enough, quite a few of Mosquito components were made in Brumagem. U/C oleos and cockpit canopies for starters. Then there was Dunlop, wheels, tyres and brakes, possibly controls too….probably a quite a list in toto.
By: cometguymk1 - 1st January 2012 at 15:16
Odd place for a plug 🙂 but all counts
By: J Boyle - 1st January 2012 at 03:35
Sounds like a jolly nice chap.
You might send a note to the Orchestra noting your appreciation. I can guarentee that there were a few non-aviation types in the audience shocked at learning the current plight of the Mossie.
It must a a regular piece for them…that’s good.
A few years back I bought a CD of war film themes off Amazon, that piece was included. It has great arrangements and was performed by a Polish (IIRC) symphony.
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December 31, 2011 at 10:57 pm