Q:Whats better than one big aero engine?
A:Two big aero engines
The only flying mosquito in the world came out from restoration at Ardmore NZ yesterday
Here's some film of the maiden flight
That's very cool, Jim. Considering that most of the Mosquito was wood and probably glue-laminated wood, I'll bet the restoration was very challenging.
Wasn't it equipped with turbocharged Rolls Royce engines?
Twin supercharged Merlins 🙂
And if I'm recalling this detail correctly, the skin of the Mosquito was essentially plywood, but plywood formed in complex curved surfaces. Fabricating new panels for the skin must have been a real challenge.
Yep - stressed skin, but made of plywood not aluminium. It a realy crossover - vintage wood used like metal is today. Each wing originally shaped in a big concrete mould.
Then two of the engines used in a P51 or Spitfire.
Very light, very quick and apparently they rally handle well 🙂
Awesome, Now I Need To See One Live
Over the years I have seen most WWII planes in the air. Thanks to the Confederate Air Force for some. A few years ago we visited a Canadian air museum in Hamilton, Ontario, I asked and was told there were no Mosquitoes to be seen. I am glad that is not true. Now I have to see one personally.
My father sold Massey Harris farm equiment and among all the sales information was a story that they built wings for the Mosquito in a Canadian combine plant. That has piqued my interest since then.
Mosquitoes relied on their speed over armorment. There was no armor surrounding the pilot and for recon missions they would even remove the guns. They could fly away from everything else. I have read stories where if they encountered a ME 109 head on the German pilot would wave and not bother to turn his plane around.
Following the Mosquito style I believe one air racer joined 2 P-51s in a similar configuration. Was there ever a match race between a Mosquito and a P-38 Lightning?
Paul in PA
Awesome, Now I Need To See One Live
> Over the years I have seen most WWII planes in the air. Thanks to the Confederate Air Force for some. A few years ago we visited a Canadian air museum in Hamilton, Ontario, I asked and was told there were no Mosquitoes to be seen. I am glad that is not true. Now I have to see one personally.
>
> My father sold Massey Harris farm equiment and among all the sales information was a story that they built wings for the Mosquito in a Canadian combine plant. That has piqued my interest since then.
>
> Mosquitoes relied on their speed over armorment. There was no armor surrounding the pilot and for recon missions they would even remove the guns. They could fly away from everything else. I have read stories where if they encountered a ME 109 head on the German pilot would wave and not bother to turn his plane around.
>
> Following the Mosquito style I believe one air racer joined 2 P-51s in a similar configuration. Was there ever a match race between a Mosquito and a P-38 Lightning?
>
> Paul in PA
joined 2 P-51s in a similar configuration describes a F-82. It actually existed in minimal numbers.
I believe some were used in Korea 1950-1953
One of the coolest movies ever made using this aircraft: "633 Squadron". Everyone needs a copy of that movie!!
You can even get TWO Mosquito movies here:
Thanks Stephen
That link was like a book.
Paul in PA
