richw_82

Not too sure, she was always in good trim and she was very easy to handle.
I heard many comments about her performance.
My favourite.

Mo

Hi Nashio

I think it boils down to:

First MkII = Phase 1

MkIIc = Conversion to new Avionics – Phase 2

MkII Phase 3 = Coversion to MkIII innards.

Mo

This might be in the later stages of the night campaign, but historically, the German night defences had never caught the Mosquito to any great extent.

“The Mossie has a special place in the RAF’s history

The Light Night Striking Force of Mosquitos during one phase of the war made bombing raids to Berlin on 43 consecutive occasions without a break. Sometimes the same aircraft would make a second raid on the same night. The Light Night Striking Force flew 553 sorties during April 1943 for the loss of only one aircraft.

The LNSF used to operate in the most appalling weather and one night Air Vice Marshal Donald Bennett was visited by Mrs. Ogden Reid of the New York Herald Tribune. She had asked to witness the start of a raid. This distinguished lady of the American press arrived with a member of the British Government and was immediately driven to the end of the runway by Bennett. Fog caused heavy bomber raids to be cancelled but as the mist swirled around the signal caravan at the end of the runway Mosquitos could be seen taxying on from both directions to save time, lining up and taking off for Berlin in quick succession. She turned to Bennett and said, “I see they have got a bulge – they’re carrying a “Blockbuster” aren’t they?” She asked what it weighed and Bennett told her 4000 lbs which was 500 lbs more than a B-17 Flying Fortress could carry to Berlin. In any case, he pointed out, a Fortress would not accommodate a 4000 lb “cookie” because it was too large for its bomb bay. The famous Press lady pondered for a few moments before replying “I only hope the American public never realises these facts.”

One young Mosquito pilot of those days was Wing Commander 1. G. Broom (later Air Marshal Sir Ivor Broom DSO, DFC and two bars, AFC). “We did 25 nights to Berlin. You could fly there and be back in the mess before the bar closed. We could carry more to Berlin with a crew of two in a Mosquito than could a Flying Fortress with a crew of ten. They had to fight their way there and back in daylight. We went fast at night, at 28,000 ft.”

P.S. Sorry:

But never take-off or landing.

Mo

…they’d still look better preserved as MR.2’s though… Blue 2

I agree – but there are no MarkIs around at all. As founder of the Shackleton Association and Editor of the Growler, I blew my top when I was informed (in Vanuatu) that VP293 had been scrapped without prior notice. Cosford had WB832 for 6 years – in a Hangar, before scrapping her in 1980. They now have no Shackleton in their Cold war collection. Despite trashing three MarkIIIs AFTER their sale to private buyers.

As a past user, I have always counted the MarkII as the definitive Shack and never thought of the MarkIII as a real Shack at all.

I split my 10 years between the One and Two – but the MkI was the best. The MkII with upgraded systems was a more competent ASW platform, but we were never given the chance to prove what the much lighter MkI would have done with the same fit.

The MkII has always looked great, in fact I used the MarkII as a logo at the start of the Growler in 1987.

But there is nothing as neat or as pugilistic as a MarkI at low level on full power and there never will be.

The question of “is it worth it?” Has been answered using many views, including cost and credibility. I do not think Mark had all those problematic answers in mind when he asked the question.

I sit at 73, still starkly remembering my years on the type and I must admit when I think of preservation of aircraft; I think of the hours on the front settee in the nose, with the most magnificent view in the world.

I have to say again:

“Oooohh!!! Wouldn’t it be luvverrly!! But there again – I’m only a boring old fart.

Mo

Oh wouldn’t it be luvverly!

Mo

Yokes

Here’s two for comparison. The Lancaster with a background and a Mark One Shack. There is some similarity, which changes with a more rectangular MarkII and MarkIII.

WL790

Nashio.

I have received assurance from Pima that:
…. [I][FONT=”Arial”]“nothing has happened to WL790. The plan is on track to paint the Shack next summer when the new restoration hangar is finished. The only thing taken out of 790 other than draining the gas is the batteries.”

Mo Botwood