At last - another DH98 flies....

[rgsaero]

The magnificent restoration / rebuild of Mosquito KA114 has flown for the first time.

Mighty mossie takes to the air - National - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10837004)

It's a long time one was last in the skies, and this one is the result of the most extraordinary craftsmen, who started almost from scratch, including building completely new fuselage moulds.

The Kiwis really know how to do this stuff!

[Proplinerman]

Just watched the Arthur Williams programme this evening on Channel 4 (UK)-"The plane that saved Britain:" superb and brought back memories of RR299 when she was on the UK display circuit before that tragic accident at Barton in 1996. Here she is in happier times, thirty-nine years ago, at the 1974 Woodford air show: Mosquito RR299, Woodford Air Show, 17-8-74e | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48975048@N06/8756535293/in/photolist-ekMwSr/lightbox/)

And also, to mark the occasion, I've just uploaded photos of three other Mosquitoes that I have taken over the years: the prototype, W4050, at London Colney: 667 London Colney 11-9-07 Mosquito 2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48975048@N06/9338822068/in/photostream/lightbox/); TA634, also at London Colney: 667 London Colney 11-9-07 Mosquito 1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48975048@N06/9336037053/in/photostream/lightbox/) ; and TA719 at Duxford: DSC_0022 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48975048@N06/9336039479/in/photostream/lightbox/)

What other Mossies remain-photos and listings anyone?

[Brian Abraham]

One listing here Proplinerman

List of surviving de Havilland Mosquitos - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_de_Havilland_Mosquitos)

[Proplinerman]

Thanks for that Brian. I only very recently visited Cosford and had already forgotten about the one there! Here is a link to my photo of it: DSC_1830 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48975048@N06/9339062411/) Have to get to Oz one day to see the Mossies there.

[DHfan]

Another useful and interesting link here/

The de Havilland Mosquito Page (http://www.mossie.org/Mosquito.html)

[aviate1138]

Saw the T3 on a number of occasions until its untimely demise and to see one airborne again

in the UK would be almost as good as seeing the later [much missed] DH Hornet cavorting

about the sky too....... :)

[Allan Lupton]

Unlike Proplinerman, I found the programme last night to be a wasted opportunity.
It wasn't aimed at folk like me, but we who know a bit can see what could have been done with the time, had they not spent about a quarter of it showing the presenter, whoever he is, poling his spam-can round the sky and telling us why he is wheelchair bound.
Despite playing part of an interview with aerodynamicist David Newman (against an intrusive "background" music) there was little about the design and what made it special (the designer wasn't even named) nor was one of its most famous roles, that of night fighter, mentioned.

[Groundloop]

nor was one of its most famous roles, that of night fighter, mentioned.

Night fighter was mentioned - but very briefly.

[Jn14:6]

Many of the flying sequences in the programme were not even of Mosquitos! I noted Bostons/Havocs and Mitchells among others!
Whoever is in charge of continuity needs a course in aircraft recognition!:(

[DHfan]

We just watched it today and I didn't think it was too bad. I only noticed one thing he said that was actually wrong although there were a few that were a bit dubious.

I've no idea what sort of clout he had to get the programme made but I'm glad he did and I've seen a lot worse.

[joy ride]

A few small flaws, but basically a good and enjoyable programme.
It has re-kindled my interest in trying to find out more about my Grandad's involvement in the Mosquito, Hornet and Vampire.

He was Laurent Giles, a celebrated yacht designer and pioneer of mould-formed plywood structures, which gave his yachts significant weight savings and competitive advantages.

During WW2 he was sent to work at de H at first in UK, then in Canada and USA where he lived for several years with his wife and 3 children, including my Mum.

As he was not an official de H employee but seconded there as a consultant by the government there seems to be no known written records of his work and only a small amount of circumstantial evidence; the de H museum has no information.

As well as "working on aircraft structures" (quoted from a book about him) he was also tasked with designing several high performance patrol and rescue launches, and possibly lifeboats for bomber aircrews.

Any information or leads gratefully received!

[Allan Lupton]

Anent Laurent Giles, I can't help except that I think the David L. Giles who worked in the DH/HS Tech Sales in the early 1960s was his son (therefore "joy ride's" uncle). He left aviation to work on boats IIRC, and if he's still around, which I think he is, and is Laurent Giles' son, he might know a bit.

[joy ride]

David Giles is indeed Laurent Giles's son and my Uncle, currently working on Fast Ship in USA! David trained and worked at Hawker Siddeley and was involved with Air Hanson.

Sadly he knows little or no more about LG's war work than the rest of us, including any contribution he might have made to de Havilland aircraft. It seems logical that he would have worked there and his expertise at mouding ply would have been useful, but sadly there seems to be very little hard information. Thanks anyway!