Mosquito W4050 Conservation thread

It was great to see a well planned move go so well 🙂 credit to all involved

and no “legends?” suggestions !?

Great to see this Bruce, W4050 is a fantastic legacy and superb to see her intact and cared for.

Serials are spoken for 🙂

Yes, there will be some selling of fabric pieces to raise money. Watch this space!

Bruce

That said, doesnt mean the original fabric cant be preserved albeit not on the airframe!

Jon

Or sold off at £X for a plain piece or £XXXX for a piece with markings. How much for the serial? 😉

I just hope the fabric is Ok so it can be preserved like the FAA corsair 🙂 Would look amazing with it’s original paint exposed again.

Doesnt look likely given Bruce’s comment earlier in this thread –

“We have removed paint in a number of strategic locations, to confirm locations of markings, style of lettering and so on. It is likely however, that the fabric will be removed, in order to ensure that the wood is in good condition, and to allow for repairs as necessary.”

That said, doesnt mean the original fabric cant be preserved albeit not on the airframe!

Jon

No, the fabric is causing problems.

We have revealed enough of the original paint that we know where the markings go, and have documented the colours.

The fabric will have to come off to be replaced – as it is, it is harbouring damp. On the top of the wing, it is quite rotten in places.

Bruce

I just hope the fabric is Ok so it can be preserved like the FAA corsair 🙂 Would look amazing with it’s original paint exposed again.

Hi Richard,

It made its last flight with two stage engines. When it was retired, it was delivered to the Technical school, who fitted it with single stage engines for training purposes. Postwar it was displayed at the Radlett SBAC show, with single stage engines.

After the tech school finished with it, it went into store – without engines and props, which got used elsewhere.

When, in 1959, it was brought out of store to be delivered to the museum, a set of cowls was found from around the works, along with time expired propellers. The engines were overhauled items that were found from somewhere, but were basically used just to hang the propellers on.

The engines it had until recently were these engines – both Merlin 25, and not strictly correct for the aircraft in its single stage configuration. No firm decision has yet been taken, but we would like to consider using two stage engines, as the airframe is in the configuration it was when it flew with them.

Bruce

Bruce
I am confused, you say W4050 last flew with two stage engines. What are the engines that were fitted until recently as you mention the cut down cowls?
And secondly, are those engine the deciding factor in what config it is finished as, or have you both types available.

Richard

This past weekend, it was all hands on deck (err except mine!) to move the Mosquito into the main hangar. This is the first time it has been out of the Robin Hangar since 1959.

Not only that, the Moth collection was moved from the main hangar into the Robin hangar, to give space!

The whole dismantling operation was a tricky job, in closely confined quarters, carried out without damage to the aircraft or personnel. A job very well done.

Here’s some pics of the move, courtesy of Bob Glasby:

To bring this nicely back to the top, Garry Lakin has uploaded this Video to YouTube, showing the dismantling of the aircraft with a stop frame camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfXNXGGNRws

Enjoy!

Donations always welcome – thanks to all who have donated so far!

Bruce

Yes, it had a flying career of just under three years IIRC. In that time, it was a testbed for a great many developments of the type.

It was also the fastest Mosquito built.

We know what it looked like in its final configuration, but apart from its early few months, it is surprisingly poorly documented.

We dont want to change history by turning it into something it may never have been, so the two stage option might be the best all round.

Bruce

At present, we are considering if it would be possible to take it back to the configuration it was in when it last flew, which would be more appropriate for the airframe.

Bruce,

Isn’t that just what historical aviation is about. The whole career of W4050 is historic including it’s last flight in whatever configuration it was, or even the state it was in when resuced. Difficult decision but a very imporant one.
Are there any pics of one of it’s last flights? That could make it a bit easier perhaps?

Cheers
Cees

Glad to see the move has gone well 🙂

This opens up the debate somewhat about what is original and what is not on the aircraft.

When it was rescued, the aircraft was stored as a fuselage, wing and tailgroup, with all flight controls, undercarriage (without wheels), with radiators, and complete firewall backward.

There were no engines or cowlings with it.

It last flew with two stage engines, and is configured as such internally. All the currently fitted systems, including radiators, engine controls and so on, are set up for the two stage engines.

When it was rescued from Panshangar, it was shipped to Hatfield, and parts were found to complete it externally. The cowlings are not original; some being cut down 2 stage type. The Spinners are Lancaster. The propellers were assembled from scrap parts. The engines were freshly inhibited, taken from stock somewhere, but are not associated with this aircraft.

In this configuration (and importantly, with this fuselage) it hasnt flown as E0234. It would therefore be wrong to take it back to 1940 specification – even if we could.

At present, we are considering if it would be possible to take it back to the configuration it was in when it last flew, which would be more appropriate for the airframe.

I will keep you updated!

Bruce

Hi Bruce, I was thinking about W4050 restoration and the opperation to reveal the older (orginal ?) paint work, and I did wounder what markings would be applied when finished. Obviously overall yellow, but as E-0234 as on her first flight, or as more commonly known W4050. Its very exiciting to hear that the team have found the orginal pattern short necelles, would it be possible to restore her with these in place ? What other structural changes would have to be made to return to 1940 specification ?

Sorry, if you want an original pint you will have to settle for Spitfire!

Edited :p

For those who are interested in making a donation, please contact me by PM, and I’ll give you an address to send funds to.

Please rest assured that every penny of your donation will go straight to W4050.

If anyone has Mossie parts they might be able to spare, please also get in touch – we have quite a list of missing parts!

Bruce

A further little update (and a change of thread name!)

A few years ago, when we took the flap jack covers off, we realised that the original short nacelles were still hiding underneath the extensions that were fitted to cure tailplane buffet.

Now the nacelles have been removed, they can be seen even better..

Our current budget to conserve this aircraft is for less than it would cost to fly the Vulcan on one flight. We have some top notch volunteer engineers working on the project, and whilst it will take time, this will result in a superb finished project, and not before time.

We have removed paint in a number of strategic locations, to confirm locations of markings, style of lettering and so on. It is likely however, that the fabric will be removed, in order to ensure that the wood is in good condition, and to allow for repairs as necessary.

I will confirm further plans for the aircraft as we go.

Picture 1 shows the nacelle, as removed, with the original shape quite evident.

The second picture shows ‘EX4’ etched into the nacelle – it is experimental nacelle number 4.

Mark12. Further to your, and your friends, post ! …. below is a quote from Micheal Packham’s supurb book ” Panshanger Aerodrome” page 64 …..

“By 1954 the dismantled de Havilland Mosquito prototype W4050 was stored at Panshanger, probably in the 69 ‘B’ Flight blister hangar. There it remained until being moved to storage in the Hatfield area (Fiddlebridge) following the acquisition of the aerodrome operations by Nat Somers. The Mosquito led a charmed life, escaping the accountants and the axe men until stored and displayed from 1959 in its own hangar at Salisbury Hall, London Colney where it had been built. This has preserved the aircraft for all time, eventually allowing its display at the Mosquito Aircraft Museum.”

Keith.