Mosquito FB.26 KA114
Craftsmen don't drill holes through a laminate leaving bare edges for water ingress either. A ply/balsa/ply/fabric laminate can't be compared with a single ply skin.
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I recall reading that the biggest problem in hot countries was that the adhesive broke down into a substance similar to runny cheese.
The author had the job of going round the flight line sniffing the airframes for signs of deterioration ("The New Science of Strong Materials")!
Would be nice to have one flying again, a really lovely aircraft.
The author had the job of going round the flight line sniffing the airframes for signs of deterioration ("The New Science of Strong Materials")!
Would be nice to have one flying again, a really lovely aircraft.
Frankly, I don't buy the "Oh, don't bother doing that, the thing's going to get shot down within a month or two anyway" argument. Craftsmen don't work that way.
First flight on Saturday, 29 Sept?
Everyone on Wings over New Zealand forum is getting pretty excited about the upcoming first flight of KA114
Engine run pictures here:
Wings Over New Zealand - Mosquito Roll Out Today
(Don't look at page 33 - it will make you cry!)
More engine run and taxying pictures here and on following page:
Wings Over New Zealand - Mosquito Roll Out Today
The test pilots are Dave Phillips, a Cathay pilot (who I saw at Tauranga in February, displaying the Hunter and following on with the best Tiger Moth aerobatics I have ever seen) and Keith Skilling, a retired ANZ pilot, who normally flies a Corsair.
Engine run pictures here:
Wings Over New Zealand - Mosquito Roll Out Today
(Don't look at page 33 - it will make you cry!)
More engine run and taxying pictures here and on following page:
Wings Over New Zealand - Mosquito Roll Out Today
The test pilots are Dave Phillips, a Cathay pilot (who I saw at Tauranga in February, displaying the Hunter and following on with the best Tiger Moth aerobatics I have ever seen) and Keith Skilling, a retired ANZ pilot, who normally flies a Corsair.
Last edited by India Four Two; 26th Sep 2012 at 06:19.
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What ever happened to the Mosquito that lived in the hangar at RAF Swinderby, I recall it parked in the corner of the main central hangar and spent many a day doing drill practice around it during 1980.
KA114 YouTube Link
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Above the Clouds, Swinderby Mossie was TJ138, now at Hendon.
Its flying now..chase plane looks like a Trojan
Wings Over New Zealand - Mosquito Roll Out Today
Fantastic!
And an even better picture here (#664)
Wings Over New Zealand - Mosquito Roll Out Today
Last edited by India Four Two; 27th Sep 2012 at 03:23. Reason: Add another URL
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Mosquito update.
KA 114/ZK-MOS is currently parked in Air NZ #3 hangar at Mangere/Auckland International Airport.
This beautiful machine is sadly unserviceable at Auckland Intl with an airspeed indicator fault so no idea when she will make the journey "home" to Ardmore.
There’s an air leak in the system. Could take a minute or two hours.. Also while it’s at Auckland International it will have the cowls off and each engine will be inspected .A thorough inspection of the airframe will also be done.
Update!
Quote from an ATC staff member at NZAA
Dave Philips flew the first flight... had problems with the ASI and landed at Auckland with the Trojan in close formation calling airspeeds... spent a couple of hours on the ground and has just returned back to Auckland with Keith Skilling at the helm... shortly to depart again for Ardmore.... a fantastic sight and not one that we see everyday in the tower in Auckland... and unfortunately it might be a long time before we see another one . Glad I was there to see the Ardmore departure and all flights from Auckland!! Got some video and photos from the tower and will post them when I get home tonight. Nothing quite as spectacular/professional as the others here!!
This beautiful machine is sadly unserviceable at Auckland Intl with an airspeed indicator fault so no idea when she will make the journey "home" to Ardmore.
There’s an air leak in the system. Could take a minute or two hours.. Also while it’s at Auckland International it will have the cowls off and each engine will be inspected .A thorough inspection of the airframe will also be done.
Update!
Quote from an ATC staff member at NZAA
Dave Philips flew the first flight... had problems with the ASI and landed at Auckland with the Trojan in close formation calling airspeeds... spent a couple of hours on the ground and has just returned back to Auckland with Keith Skilling at the helm... shortly to depart again for Ardmore.... a fantastic sight and not one that we see everyday in the tower in Auckland... and unfortunately it might be a long time before we see another one . Glad I was there to see the Ardmore departure and all flights from Auckland!! Got some video and photos from the tower and will post them when I get home tonight. Nothing quite as spectacular/professional as the others here!!
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Despite the low clouds and drizzle that currently enshroud Croydon, it is indeed a sunny day!
Huge congratulations and thank you to all those who have conspired to make it happen.
(And please, please, please bring it to Britain so we too may admire it in the flesh!)
Huge congratulations and thank you to all those who have conspired to make it happen.
(And please, please, please bring it to Britain so we too may admire it in the flesh!)
Short videos of the arrival and departure at Auckland International (about 10 miles from Ardmore)
Last edited by India Four Two; 27th Sep 2012 at 08:22.
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Fantastic to see such a wonderful aircraft fly again,
Is it just me or maybe it was just the short you tube clips but that turn around seemed very short given there was an ASI problem/leak, who was there to fix it?
There seemed to be a bit of get home as quickly as we can going on especially as it seemed to be going dark in the back ground, no critisim of anyone you have all done a fantastic job to get it flying again but look after it.
Is it just me or maybe it was just the short you tube clips but that turn around seemed very short given there was an ASI problem/leak, who was there to fix it?
There seemed to be a bit of get home as quickly as we can going on especially as it seemed to be going dark in the back ground, no critisim of anyone you have all done a fantastic job to get it flying again but look after it.
Last edited by Above The Clouds; 27th Sep 2012 at 09:10.
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This is such a beautiful aircraft - why screw up the video!
Surely someone had a better camera than that shambles!
Also I wouldn't taxi straight at the closed hangar doors with a brand new machine - especially a gorgeous Mossie! The only one now flying anywhere in the World!
Great to see a Mossie once more in its element. Well done to all those dedicated people who brought KA 114 back to life.
OK I am a pedant but that first flight needed some decent hi res photography!
Also I wouldn't taxi straight at the closed hangar doors with a brand new machine - especially a gorgeous Mossie! The only one now flying anywhere in the World!
Great to see a Mossie once more in its element. Well done to all those dedicated people who brought KA 114 back to life.
OK I am a pedant but that first flight needed some decent hi res photography!
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I'm sure there will indeed be much better stuff out there, these are just hastily grabbed videos shot by somebody at Auckland when the Mossie dropped in unexpectedly...
I presume Ardmore is a bit short to risk the aircraft with the ASI u/s, even with a shepherd.
I presume Ardmore is a bit short to risk the aircraft with the ASI u/s, even with a shepherd.
OK I am a pedant
Give them a break. It's only just happened. Keep checking Wings Over New Zealand. There are some new pictures and a video taken from the tower.
Here's another view of the taxi. They weren't taxying at the hangar doors
the Mossie dropped in unexpectedly...
Last edited by India Four Two; 27th Sep 2012 at 16:00. Reason: Added URL
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Ah, thanks I42, an assumption on my part!