Hi Vega,

You are right. MW763 is probably the most complete of the three though.

The Canadian example looks closest to completion.

Exciting times for all Tempest fans!

With active airworthy restoration projects from:
Canada x1
UK x1
USA x4

Find it exceeding strange that the Kiwis would part with the jigs for a one aircraft project…………

There are three distinct companies we are talking about here creating the Mosquito primary structure, although there are many more suppliers and subcontractors. The other two companies may well have wanted to buy the wing jig, but if a better, or quicker offer was made by TPM, then it’s theirs.

Glyn Powell’s company produces the new fuselages, and other woodwork.

Corin McCrae’s Company “Aerowood” made the wings, and some other woodwork. This is the one that has gone into receivership.

Avspecs is the company who built up the complete flying aircraft for the customers, from all of the sub components. They managed the project, built the systems, and produced all of the metalwork.

It’s a big jig, and if more wings are to be made then why not in the UK under CAA regs. Two for two more projects, plus spares for the other fliers. Corin has the CNC programs for the wing and knowledge, so he can still produce further wings if needed maybe working for someone else.

I went on Saturday. Great aerojumble, lovely line up of cockpits, fab weather, and met up with plenty of friends.
Personal favourite display was the Brigand.

This is an incredible restoration. Well done to all the team.

That must have happened late last year then – the Swift was still in Hangar 1 until July 2017, when it was moved to Hangar 3 (this is fact, not hearsay), and it was certainly still in there for the book launch on 18th November, so can have been outside for less than 7 months. In spite of the very smart exterior renovation, having seen pics of the very corroded state of the nosewheel bay when she was in Hangar 3 with 558 and 163 in 2016, I doubt if a further stay outside will worsen the existing damage from its previous 40 year stay outdoors by much at all.

If this has spent any time outside, I do hope it had a canopy cover fitted! This received probably the last decent canopy in existence.

A Merlin engined “something” passed over Little Waltham heading north east at 17:35 today. Couldn’t see it unfortunately.

I’m pretty sceptical if I’m honest! It’s a massive risk for the museum i mean there’s not a massive amount of other stuff to keep people coming through the door if anything happend to her! (Just my opinion!) …..I certainly don’t think it will be a regular flyer if she does ever get airborne.

The year they aim to get her flying seems to keep changing too I’ve noticed but that may be my suspicious mind with that one

Well all being well, they will have a taxiable Mosquito NFII very soon to draw the public in, as well as the ongoing airworthy restoration of the Lancaster.