Mosquito Restoration Project...

Well here is a new report on the engine test for the Mosquito KA-114 and some information on the second one under construction...

http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/world-war-ii-plane-ready-fly-again-video-5101440

And here is a picture of it in flight...

WWII Mosquito takes flight
Eyes aimed at sky as WWII bomber takes off
SIMON DAY

7747591_600x400.jpg


A legendary WWII Mosquito fighter-bomber took flight over a crowd of thousands, as well as the admiring eyes of some its former pilots at Auckland's Ardmore airport today.

The Mosquito was rebuilt and restored over the last seven years by Aucklander's Warren Denholm and Glynn Powell.

It made its maiden flight this week, the first in the world since 1996.

A number of the pilots who flew the planes during the war were in attendance at Saturday's airshow.

John Beeching flew RAF Mosquitoes on pathfinder and bombing missions over Europe during the war. The 89 year old veteran from Nelson said it was marvellous to see the pane back in action.

"It wasn't the look, it was the sound, the sound of those two Merlin engines that bring back memories."

The Mosquito was one of the fastest planes in WWII, reaching speeds of nearly 700kmh.

The two Merlin engines came from stock the Royal New Zealand Air Force inherited after the war.

Ninety-two-year-old Harold "Bunny" Burrows, of Auckland, was a Squadron Leader and navigator on 30 missions during the war. He said it was fantastic to see people still interested in the Mosquito.

"There has been a lot of interest in the last five years, it's great to see people out here supporting the plane."

Beeching said he would be keen to get back in the **** pit and have a go at flying the restored bomber.

"I suppose it would be on. I've only had two beers," he said.

"I don't know about take off and landing, but it's like learning to swim."

Buck Townd, 89, clocked 165 hours in the Mosquito during the end of the War and has kept a close eye on the plane's restoration. He was more cautious about taking the Mosquito for a spin.

"I don't think I could fly one now, but they were such wonderful aircraft to fly."

Thousands of spectators turned out to see the Mosquito's flight with a cue of traffic nearly 3km long.

"There must be the nearly the population of the South Island out here today," Beeching said.

"I'm amazed, it's nice to know that we weren't forgotten and people do remember us."

This Mosquito was originally built in Toronto in 1945 for the Royal Canadian Air Force, but the plane went into storage without ever seeing combat.

Bought by American aircraft collector Jerry Yagen it was sent it to New Zealand to be restored.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7747544/WWII-Mosquito-takes-flight

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQBOLjalNXE"]Ardmore Air Show + Mosquito 29/9/2012 - YouTube[/ame]
 
Watching the video, hearing those twin Merlin's and watching her fly past made all the hair on my arms and neck stand up and a shiver went down my spine. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Its a bit odd though hearing blokes with a Kiwi accent wearing German uniforms.
 
Ok this is the local news report...

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/warbird-flies-again-video-5108120

A few more...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEyDlgJYIF8&feature=related"]The Mosquito Flys - KA114 first flights - YouTube[/ame]


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MydoBsKVWws&feature=colike"]Kiwi de Havilland Mosquito KA114 Departure from Auckland International Airport - YouTube[/ame]


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZwIIXju54I&feature=relmfu"]2xmerlinstart - YouTube[/ame]
 
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One last video I found on another forum...l
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzJewwobCY&feature=player_embedded"]Mosquito Fly By - Ardmore Airshow Auckland NZ - YouTube[/ame]
 
It is interesting that in the first few videos he is at cruising speed but in that one the pilot is starting to open it up a bit.

The Venom spends a lot of time flying around where I live it was impressive to see the first few times now it is just damn noisy.
:)

Still it is good to see KA114 airborne and I hope the New Zealand one is finished soon as it would be great to see it at airshows although I never realised some one has an Anson flying.
 
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If you reckon the Venom is noisy you should hear Lightnings taking off on reheat, absolute bliss.

If I remember correctly the AVRO Anson was the longest serving aeroplane in the RAF 1934 to 1968, she also served in the Fleet Air Arm. Very strange little aeroplane,it carried out a multitude of tasks including U Boat hunting.
 
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If you reckon the Venom is noisy you should hear Lightnings taking off on reheat, absolute bliss.

If I remember correctly the AVRO Anson was the longest serving aeroplane in the RAF 1934 to 1968, she also served in the Fleet Air Arm. Very strange little aeroplane,it carried out a multitude of tasks including U Boat hunting.

Well apparently that is the only airworthy Mk 1 Avro Anson in the world and it took 10 years to restore it.
 
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