My apologies for not mentioning the paywall.
I am sure that Peter Monk has got this all sown up or there would not of been an announcement, It will happen.
I doubt there’s any connection between the two, just coincidence in my opinion. Did the piece have many updates about the actual restoration?
I knew I should have checked before bumping the 2015 thread!
RESTORED MOSQUITO TO BE BASED AT BIGGIN HILL
WWII Mosquitos to return to Biggin Hill
Mosquito at Biggin Hill – announcement by Peter Monk, Managing Director of flyaspitfire.com and the Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill):“Following previous announcements and patiently waiting for availability in a busy restoration programme we’re delighted to confirm that we’ve now commissioned the team at AVSPECS NZ to commence the restoration of a Mosquito FB.VI . Upon completion the aircraft will join our fleet of 2 seat Spitfires and other WWII aircraft that are available for flight experiences here at Biggin Hill.
The team at AVSPECS are leaders in the field of Mosquito restoration and this will be the 5th airframe that they have restored to an airworthy condition. Whilst there’s always an appetite for us to take on different restoration projects at our own ‘Spitfire Factory’ at Biggin Hill, the unique skill set and proven experience of the team at AVSPECS makes them an obvious choice for this special project.
The restoration is scheduled to take 3 years and once completed the aircraft will complete a commemorative tour of New Zealand, Australia and then on to the UK in honour of the Commonwealth pilots that flew Mosquitos in WWII.
The Mosquito has a special place in history and we’re still deciding which specific markings the aircraft will carry upon its completion. Recognition of the pilots and French resistance fighters that took part in ‘Operation Jericho’ on 18th February 1944 is a popular choice, however we’re still considering a number of options and will be releasing regular updates on the progress of the project on Facebook.
We believe this will be the only airworthy example of the Mosquito in Europe and we’re excited at the prospect of offering members of the public the chance to ‘Fly a Mosquito’ from Biggin Hill in 2026.”
Jay McIntyre and Rex Newman’s WACO UOC ZK-AEL
Omaka syndicate Bristol F.2B replica ZK-BHS (High Road to China build)
Both of these have now flown, as has CA-18 Mustang A68-104/VH-BOB in Australia.
Point Cook = Australia.
“According to an anon who contacted the page” – which page?
*Electra Junior! And speaking of Tempests the Canadian one should fly in 2023 too.
We have a few fun projects coming up in NZ which should fly next year:
Brendon Deere’s P-51D 45-11513/NZ2423
Charles Somers and Rod Lewis’s Mosquito T.43 NZ2308
Jay McIntyre and Rex Newman’s WACO UOC ZK-AEL
Rob Mackley’s Lockheed 10A Electra CC-226/CC-LCN/CC-CLEA/N10310/ZK-AFD
Allan Arthur’s Beech D17S VH-BBL
Cam and Tracey Hawley’s Beech D17A NC20778/VH-AFP (Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic aircraft)
Charles Somers’ De Havilland Dominie NZ528/ZK-AKU
Graham Orphan’s Fairchild 24W HB600/ZK-AUN
Omaka syndicate Bristol F.2B replica ZK-BHS (High Road to China build)
Curtiss P-40E 41-36018/ET664/White 25 for a Dutch syndicate is actively being worked on by Pioneer Aero but when I visited in October it looked to still be at a fairly early stage.
I’m afraid I’m in the same camp. But his is nonetheless a sad loss for the community, especially in France.
“my wife believes I sound like a Sopwith Pup first thing in the morning”.
So does mine.
Barking.
I remember when I attended Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004 with my family – my sister found the sound of the Sopwith Camel replica’s 160hp Gnome immensely hilarious, so Dad would constantly say “Oh there goes a Camel” when the situation presented itself!
Another vote here for lighting up!
You’re not the only one, Adrian. So horrible and so hard to understand.
Here’s the NTSB briefing I mentioned:
A short time ago the NTSB held a briefing: https://youtu.be/DdXwCD0EmzI?t=1058
Adrian – I was thinking the same!!