My all-time favourite airoplane, for more than 55 years. It's a shame that it is not intended to be flown again. But at least this country will have a working example of a Mosquito, for the first time in far too long. Off to watch the other videos now. Found this one first. A big 'Well done!' to all of the team. Thank-you.
Hi RWB ,yes my favourite aeroplane too, your comments referring to The People's Mosquito, That should be airborne a couple of years before the Lancaster. thanks for your comments an d watching.
Father worked for De Haviland's during the war. Plane builder then ferry pilot and service engineer. Flew planes from tropics Darwin etc to a strip near Alice Springs, he stayed with the plane for about a week for major service then back for the next plane. This was to dry out the plywood as the glues and ply suffered with delamination. "Extreme humidity" After the war for about 5 years flew the mosquitos over the entire continent photo graphing and mapping. I miss the old boy he would cry all day on ANZAC day. All but a few friends never came home. "LEST WE FORGET"
Thanks to all of you involved in this project. Back in the day if you were not flying in it, I am sure you'd have been making, servicing or otherwise involved in keeping it operational and effective. Thank you all for what you're doing :)
A lot of the comments about this aircraft are extraordinary in their inability to grasp the nature of the entire ‘mosquito concept’, this is a wooden aeroplane built under conditions of ‘wartime emergency’ when all of the ‘experts’ said that ‘modern’ aircraft should be built of aluminium, it is held together by ‘aerolite’ urea formaldehyde glue, such wooden structures are immensely tough, but of limited life, we are now in 2019, world war 2 started in 1939, nearly 80 years ago, if you want a mosquito to fly again you really need to build a new one and not expect this venerable antique to fly anymore than you would contemplate taking HMS Victory to sea. (If you built a new mosquito you would probably have to meet modern specifications). As regard engine assembly and cleanliness:- the modern engine I find in my car appears to use no oil, it is a brilliant piece of engineering, it is NOT an engine of the 1930s and 40s - I know those old engines well because as a young person. I had to rebuild them to keep my family getting to work, they went well for about 60,000 miles, then you had to rebuild them, they burnt oil at a steady rate, advice on engine work was to maintain ‘cleanliness’, no one mentioned a dust free environment (the engines of the thirties were essentially the same as those of the 50s, 60s and 70s in many cases). My mother, father, uncles and aunts were the ‘service personnel’ of world war 2, they suffered in later life from their sacrifice, mother ptsd, from the violence she witnessed, her brother ptsd, deafness and malaria from service in India and Malaya, father nitrate poisoning and other problems, the preservation of these aircraft is a wonderful monument to their service, if a mosquito could fly that would be wonderful, but this ‘old lady’ should simply be maintained as she was built, accepting that she is no longer airworthy, congratulations to those who maintain her!
Would love to see a fund raiser to restore this breathtaking example to flying condition, but have masses of respect for the numerous skilled hands that have brought her this far.
Saw this by chance, thanks for a great overview of the dedication and work involved in rebuilding/ restoring the aircraft, nothing but admiration for the Team.
Lovely, elegant, flying machine built for war. My first choice as a 7 yr old in what a cool model (circa 66) one should try to build. Well put together video shown here. Thank you for this rebuild, and all this effort. Bless. Parks worker, Miami, FL
Fantastic aircraft. I am somewhat stunned by the criticisms leveled here. It's not a complete rebuild and restoration, it's a display piece. Maybe one day someone will buy it and do a total, who knows? I can't even begin to imagine the cost of such a project. Just maintaining it in it's current state is a major undertaking and very expensive. Hat tip to the mechanics for their dedication.
It is made of wood. The work involved in making wood this old not just keep from rotting, drying out, cracking, but making it airworthy would be insane if not completely impossible. It should be a museum piece, and stay there where it's safe.
With you there Dan, the Mosi is without doubt one of the unsung heros of a terrible time in our past. No one could deny that it would be wonderful to see Tony's or another Mosi fly in the uk again... perhaps, all the folks that like to moan that this is "just" a static resto should dig into thier pockets and contribute to what would an insanely massive cost of a full airworthy build.... any keyboard warrior want to start a fund??
@@crissyb00 I could deny that it would be wonderful for me to see.Really.I honestly don't mind at all if none of the military equipment of any of the forces in that war ever moves again.I understand that in some peoples' minds it is a good use of energy but I'm not interested and I know I'm not alone.Reforestation would be more my thing in times when we are told money is tight.
Seen it start up...MAGNIFICENT MERLIN ENGINES...had my lunch in the NAFFI..looking out of the window...there is the Mosquito...how many people can say lunch with a Mosquito outside...what a classic aeroplane ...good work East Kirby 👍
My Grandfather was a Navigator in these during the war, 692 Squadron, specifically in a MK IV and then the MK.XVI with the high altitude props, he spoke so fondly of these aircraft, it earnt him a DFC and brought him home everytime.
All that different works, parts and solutions combined in one machine ... drawn up, built and maintained under conditions vividly explained below .. and it beautifully went up there into the elements under shortage and fire . judging the existence from here and now one would have to call it a myth 🌹☮️
Thanks for doing all the vids and posting Nev. I know this "Mossie" will never fly again, but better a "Hangar Queen" than termite food. Great work by Tony and his crew.
Intensely absorbing - fascinating, to see how the propeller feathering system works. Could almost feel the smooth curves of the gearing, feel a film of oil on my fingers. Thank you for posting.
Thank you for posting this, Neville. It ranks as one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed along with the Spitfire, Mustang, P-38 and Lockheed Constellation (my choices at any rate).
One question would did you find the desperate old mosquito where did you find order and a particle enough who is aware could you let me know where did they find it could you having a good job there he did a good job I only you doing good job brand new Kevin of New Zealand
Marvelous. What an exquisite machine. I was just reading the Wiki Beaufighter entry and I was introduced to the notion of an exhaust shroud for night fighters so that the flames would not be seen and I thought "exhaust shroud on a Merlin - what does that look like?" - I will stay tuned.
My greatest dream has always been to see a Convair B-36 fly once again. I realize that will never happen but, like this project, I fully support every bit of time and money that has been spent to restore these planes. Even if they never fly again, the B-36 at Pima Air Museum in Tucson, and this Mosquito, each represent a living window into the past. Looking at a photo or watching an old 16 mm film are simply not the same as walking up to one of these old war birds and taking a close look, blemishes and all. For that matter, you never know what the future will hold. A decade ago, I would have bet good money we would never see a Union Pacific Big Boy run under its own power again. Ten years later, and quite a few millions of dollars spent by UP, and the Big Boy lives again! Let's hope something similar happens to the few remaining Mosquitos [and, yes, the B-36!].
Good video! I am sorry, but it is not clear to me...is this Mossie being restored to flying condition? Also, can the fighter bomber be flown with a yoke instead if a stick? Thanks!
Absolutely fantastic video. What I would do to see this beauty fly again. It only shows what a great human effort and a nation's effort to manufacture these crafts during wartime.
Was 8 minutes in before I noticed the Lancaster behind it. Very few aircraft can steal the limelight from a Lancaster and this Mosquito is full value for the attention, great machine, intruder, pathfinder, night fighter, photo reconnaissance, "cookie" delivery system (hello, Berlin!) the de Havilland Mosquito was a war winner.
An top of the line machist and shop can reproduce most if not all the parts, even if it means to outsource the required work. When you are talking about Two engines ending service life which aircraft are you speaking of? The Mosquito. The Vulcan. The Landcaster.
What an amazing experience. Thank you to all for sharing this. I can’t wait to visit hopefully in 2021 COVID a permitting. All the very best to you all for Christmas and a bumper 2021 with hopefully many visitors.
Great work being done here. Those who appreciate this superb aeroplane and its achievements owe the team a debt of thanks. I wonder if anyone ever considered trying the Mosquito with Napier Sabre engines?
promerops A Sabre-engined Mosquito? I seriously doubt it. The Merlin was thoroughly understood and reliable and the aircraft was designed for that engine. The Sabre weighed a ton and delivered well over 2,000 horse power. Fitting a couple of those monsters to the Mosquito airframe would have meant so many structural changes to the aircraft that it would not have been a Mosquito any more. As well, the Sabre had all kinds of bugs which cost too many pilots their lives before those bugs were cleaned out - not that they *were* completely cleaned out. Even at the end of the war the engine was still giving trouble. In fact, when the Mosquito was in the planning stages, the Sabre engine was also in its development stages and giving huge problems. The Mosquito/Merlin combination was perfect and no one could see any reason to change that.
What a great aircraft, seems a shame that it is not being restored to airworthy status, but for static display and taxi runs instead. Would be great to have a flyable Mosquito in England.
I assisted on the restoration of one in Edmonton,Alberta, Canada. We tried every thing to get a air worthyness certificate. But regardless of changes made they refused to issue one. I will assume England is the same way. It's such a shame that a aircraft that did so much cannot fly again with the few remaining aircraft of that time. She did every job assigned to her, with distintion. One of the greatest aircraft in my book.
I always tell everybody take a look at a mosquito it looks like it's going 300 mph on the ground it has such a gorgeous shape to it and to think this plane is made mostly of wood and it can fly so fast and maneuver so well. And I love the sound of Merlin engines there's nothing like it I could be in a house that's all the windows are closed and if a plane with a Merlin engine is flying by I know it there's nothing like the sound of a Merlin
My dad was a radar operator/navigator in one of these, only his had the more advanced radar where you couldn't have the .303's. When he used this type of AI they operated Beaufighters.
Only just found this so a bit late to the party - but great job! I think I'd have put a 'Top' mark on the plate behind the prop though, so it goes on the right way up every time.
You just replace the fuse, it actually quite easy, the metal work and there is a lot more than you would think is the critical part and you already have all of that. They have a mold for the fuse, I’ve seen there work it’s impressive.
Principal over Dollars....That Iconic bird deserves to be rebuilt to flying condition. The Kiwi's can, and are doing it. Taxi only status would be a real shame IMO
@@nevillewheeldon1693 We found a well preserved Mosquito in Afghanistan in a barn near Mazar e Sharif in 2005 when I was stationed with Swedish special forces,SBS,Finns and my Para 1 unit. They bought it and restored it at SAAB Aerospace in Sweden. The Swedes had 4 Mosquito Merlin engines to spare at their Airforce museum. Now its on display at Hendon.
The Mosquito had something right which some modern light aircraft still don't. The undercarriage lever has a wheel shaped know, the flap lever has a flap shaped lever. No chance of confusing them even if you don't look.
It's wood not metal. Wood fatigues far worse from flight stress. Wood dry rots, holds moisture, grows mold, the glue bonds break in the layers on the monocoque fuselage. This fuselage, which has war history in combat, will NEVER be safe again for flight. That is a death wish, and the drawback of wood planes. You could build a new one, but it wont be this plane it will be a new plane.
I agree, an aeroplane on the ground is like a bird with a busted wing. Though I do have an understanding on the costs to make it fly which are horrendous.So being a winged bird is better than a dead one or firewood. Sad as it may be
Fascinating to watch professionals at work....if it dont fit, hit it!...I thought the engines were made out of wood like the rest of it?................they're doing a good job.
Thank you for making and sharing this excellent video and thank you, Tony, for preserving this aircraft, a magnificent achievement. I too wait to see a Mossie flying again in this country but fully understand why it wont be this one. Hope to see her soon in person.
We need to get apprentices shadowing the men to learn the trades , Once these craftsmen retire or sadly pass away who’s to pick up the tools? Great video ...
Hi Kurt your are right not quite finished yet. It was OK for static display and the photo shoot. Since then the engineers have been working on the port engine to get it running. Like all old aircraft the gremlins keep getting in the way but are close to starting this engine. ( I'm sure they will use a torque wrench on the propeller hub). Thanks for watching.
There should be a special "clean room" before unwrapping engine components and for all engine assembly work to ensure and keep to a minimum any chance of contamination to bearing parts of the engine. A simple polythene tent would suffice, there is no way I would have bare engine components handled on a contaminated wooden pallet, plus all engine fitters should be clothed in clean overalls at all time when engine fitting. One little piece of grit on a plain/roller bearing will be it's destruction, they should have had me re-building both engines, they would be perfectly assembled.
Well here we go ,another reason it costs millions to restore these gems.When they had to repair these engines during combat did they have a "WHITE ROOM" no they did not you just got on with it.
The Englishman You'd have kittens if you saw my workshop that has seen over 2 dozen engine rebuilds in 15 years, from old British bikes to modern heavy commercial Diesels, by me and my mates, with dirty hands and overalls. None of which ever went pop due to the environment they were built in.
gives me the creeps, concrete floor, nice abrasive dust environment, never saw a torque wrench once, farm machines for hoists, bad working heights, open fronted building to stir up the dust, and that ring spanner was intended for use with a torque bar, but no, lets just lean on it a bit, and that engine assembly cradle, who made that mess?, makes access a total nightmare, this is just some guy with not enough money playing with his toys, thankfully they will never get certification for any of it to fly, just a bunch of enthusiasts playing Airforce mechanic, no way I would pass any of that as fit to fly (if that was my job), theirs no wonder so many of these old planes get destroyed in crashes if the maintenance is at this level, imo "lovingly restored" is a euphemism for "bodged together by a bunch of tinkerers and some old guys going from memory "
I don't see any ejection slots for the machine gun empty cartridge cases and belt links. When the guns were fired did the empties just fall into the bottom of the gun bay?
Hi mikmer1. The CAA are very strict with the rules, I believe they like to be in on the ground when starting a project. So turning up with a complete aircraft is a non-starter. The fuselage and wings are not airworthy and cannot be restored. so to late now. Tony started this as a static display project. running the engines and taxiing is a bonus.Well done to Tony all the engineers and helpers who restored this aircraft. Thanks for watching
Thank you for your detailed reply. It looked very complete to my untrained eyes but I didn’t realize the structure was so far gone as to be declared forever grounded. It’s a shame as there are so few of the wonderful war birds left, I suppose a static display has its value for future generations to see and learn. Is there a history of this particular aircraft that I may read somewhere and where was it until this restoration was initiated?
Hi mikmer1 .. I perhaps misled you on the structure of this aircraft. It was restored by tony to the book using the correct materials and more than likely just as strong as a flying mosquito,but was not checked by CAA engineers on any stage of the restoration. Tony only ever meant it to be a static display Mosquito.. On the web check out "Tony Agar's Mosquito" for the history of this aircraft.. Also check out on the web "The peoples Mosquito". I'm a member of this club. Hopefully there will be a Mosquito flying in the UK skies in about six years. The fuselage and wings will be made in NZ and assembled in the UK. Nice talking to you Nev.
Neville Wheeldon It might be a good idea for the British people and their government to show some haste if they want to achieve the goal of a a flying Mosquito .New Zealanders are doing some marvellous restorations but the team that knits timber,aluminium and steel together to recreate the Wooden Wonder will,in a few years ,surely be “demobbed”,and the precious moulds discarded.Also there is the reality that the correct,viable engines and metal components will increasingly be harder to locate.The idea that it is a sacrilege to replace a rot eaten,dangerous wooden monocoque with the best of modern technology ,has no precedent.Crowds still go down to the pier to crawl over the R.Navy’s pride ,”Victory”a vessel that has received many a new section of oak over the years. No cry’s of foul in this instance. Get on and rebuild the plane : ( for the sake of future generations ).
I use a piece of cardboard and plywood that I cut from the gasket that I remove, then bolt the card board with the plywood on top, works great especially when you have removed internal parts like oil coolers where if you don't totally seal the face then water channels can flow into oil channels, the cardboard will seal liquid and gas tight with atmospheric pressures. I don't like rags because a small piece of lint can block an oil channel or cause a valve to leak and they are an excellent mode of transport for various other FOD. I worked in aircraft maintenance for many years I once had a set of new pistons sitting on a rag on a bench next to a grinding wheel, the edge of the rag got caught on the grinding wheel and sling shotted the pistons at supersonic speed across the workshop. Another occasion I was using a power drill at the top of a ladder and the sleeve of my jacket got caught in the drill and twisted my arm up so tight I could not release the trigger of the drill, meanwhile the drill is smoking because it has stalled but is still on full power trying to rotate me off the top of the ladder, I had to reach over with the arm I was holding onto the ladder with and pull my finger off the trigger. Rags and rotating machines, natural born killers.
++ DEEREMEYER1++ No doubt the only real experts in everything to do with aviation are, like yourself and your ilk, in the good old usa. The very same "experts" who can only ever make derisory, derogatory or downright rude remarks. Perhaps you and your friend wilbur would be better served looking to your own backyard before dirtying up anyone else's with your worthless comments.
My all-time favourite airoplane, for more than 55 years. It's a shame that it is not intended to be flown again. But at least this country will have a working example of a Mosquito, for the first time in far too long. Off to watch the other videos now. Found this one first. A big 'Well done!' to all of the team. Thank-you.
Hi RWB ,yes my favourite aeroplane too, your comments referring to The People's Mosquito, That should be airborne a couple of years before the Lancaster. thanks for your comments an d watching.
Father worked for De Haviland's during the war. Plane builder then ferry pilot and service engineer.
Flew planes from tropics Darwin etc to a strip near Alice Springs, he stayed with the plane for about a week for major service then back for the next plane. This was to dry out the plywood as the glues and ply suffered with delamination. "Extreme humidity"
After the war for about 5 years flew the mosquitos over the entire continent photo graphing and mapping.
I miss the old boy he would cry all day on ANZAC day. All but a few friends never came home.
"LEST WE FORGET"
Thanks for sharing that very interesting !!!
Thanks to all of you involved in this project. Back in the day if you were not flying in it, I am sure you'd have been making, servicing or otherwise involved in keeping it operational and effective. Thank you all for what you're doing :)
A lot of the comments about this aircraft are extraordinary in their inability to grasp the nature of the entire ‘mosquito concept’, this is a wooden aeroplane built under conditions of ‘wartime emergency’ when all of the ‘experts’ said that ‘modern’ aircraft should be built of aluminium, it is held together by ‘aerolite’ urea formaldehyde glue, such wooden structures are immensely tough, but of limited life, we are now in 2019, world war 2 started in 1939, nearly 80 years ago, if you want a mosquito to fly again you really need to build a new one and not expect this venerable antique to fly anymore than you would contemplate taking HMS Victory to sea. (If you built a new mosquito you would probably have to meet modern specifications).
As regard engine assembly and cleanliness:- the modern engine I find in my car appears to use no oil, it is a brilliant piece of engineering, it is NOT an engine of the 1930s and 40s - I know those old engines well because as a young person. I had to rebuild them to keep my family getting to work, they went well for about 60,000 miles, then you had to rebuild them, they burnt oil at a steady rate, advice on engine work was to maintain ‘cleanliness’, no one mentioned a dust free environment (the engines of the thirties were essentially the same as those of the 50s, 60s and 70s in many cases).
My mother, father, uncles and aunts were the ‘service personnel’ of world war 2, they suffered in later life from their sacrifice, mother ptsd, from the violence she witnessed, her brother ptsd, deafness and malaria from service in India and Malaya, father nitrate poisoning and other problems, the preservation of these aircraft is a wonderful monument to their service, if a mosquito could fly that would be wonderful, but this ‘old lady’ should simply be maintained as she was built, accepting that she is no longer airworthy, congratulations to those who maintain her!
I think that covered all about aspects of this project well said. Thanks for your comments and watching
@@nevillewheeldon1693 No right-minded person would disagree. Well said.
Facts which were sadly proven at Manchester in 1996.
There is a Mosquito bomber that has been restored to flying condition.
Would love to see a fund raiser to restore this breathtaking example to flying condition, but have masses of respect for the numerous skilled hands that have brought her this far.
Well this Mosquito series has gone into my favourites box...proud you must be, I'm honoured just to watch it, fantastic filming
How wonderful to be able to appreciate a restored version of this beautiful and successful aircraft.
Saw this by chance, thanks for a great overview of the dedication and work involved in rebuilding/ restoring the aircraft, nothing but admiration for the Team.
Hi Tony good comment thanks for watching
Lovely, elegant, flying machine built for war. My first choice as a 7 yr old in what a cool model (circa 66) one should try to build. Well put together video shown here. Thank you for this rebuild, and all this effort. Bless. Parks worker, Miami, FL
Fantastic aircraft. I am somewhat stunned by the criticisms leveled here. It's not a complete rebuild and restoration, it's a display piece. Maybe one day someone will buy it and do a total, who knows? I can't even begin to imagine the cost of such a project. Just maintaining it in it's current state is a major undertaking and very expensive. Hat tip to the mechanics for their dedication.
Hi Dan I agree with you , thanks for watching
It is made of wood. The work involved in making wood this old not just keep from rotting, drying out, cracking, but making it airworthy would be insane if not completely impossible. It should be a museum piece, and stay there where it's safe.
I can help with your beginning to imagine the cost problem.It'll begin with £ though they'll probably accept $.
With you there Dan, the Mosi is without doubt one of the unsung heros of a terrible time in our past. No one could deny that it would be wonderful to see Tony's or another Mosi fly in the uk again... perhaps, all the folks that like to moan that this is "just" a static resto should dig into thier pockets and contribute to what would an insanely massive cost of a full airworthy build.... any keyboard warrior want to start a fund??
@@crissyb00 I could deny that it would be wonderful for me to see.Really.I honestly don't mind at all if none of the military equipment of any of the forces in that war ever moves again.I understand that in some peoples' minds it is a good use of energy but I'm not interested and I know I'm not alone.Reforestation would be more my thing in times when we are told money is tight.
Seen it start up...MAGNIFICENT MERLIN ENGINES...had my lunch in the NAFFI..looking out of the window...there is the Mosquito...how many people can say lunch with a Mosquito outside...what a classic aeroplane ...good work East Kirby 👍
No hard hats, high viz and goggles, what an absolute delight to see. Thank you gentlemen.
ABSOLUTELY
My Grandfather was a Navigator in these during the war, 692 Squadron, specifically in a MK IV and then the MK.XVI with the high altitude props, he spoke so fondly of these aircraft, it earnt him a DFC and brought him home everytime.
I recently was privileged to visit the Ardmore and see the latest Mossie to be built there. Superb job
Hi Steve well done NZ. watched it on TH-cam it looks great ,Thanks for watching.
I find it amazing that both Mosquito and Hornet production only ended in 1950 (when I was two years old).
WOW, brought back memories of watching the "Greasies" work on the Dakotas back in Winnipeg. Daks all gone now as are the T-33s. Great video, thanks.
Hi John pleased you liked the video. Thanks for watching
Greasie Flea (DC 3)
Thanks for preserving some history,would be nice to have it airworthy but what the heck,its still there. Great dedication!
What a great museum this is I have visited many times and it was lovely to see this nut and bolt restoration. Thanks all 👍
All that different works, parts and solutions combined in one machine ... drawn up, built and maintained under conditions vividly explained below .. and it beautifully went up there into the elements under shortage and fire . judging the existence from here and now one would have to call it a myth 🌹☮️
OUTSTANDING project completion. An aircraft as beautiful as it is legendary. Simply outstanding. Thank you for sharing this video!
It's a pleasure Querencias7 . Thanks for watching
Thanks for doing all the vids and posting Nev. I know this "Mossie" will never fly again, but better a "Hangar Queen" than termite food. Great work by Tony and his crew.
Hi bob, the mosquito looks good and sounds good we will have to settle for that. thanks for watching and your comments
Taxi!
Great vid and it's nice to see that wurzel gummidge has come out of retirement to help 👍🏻
Intensely absorbing - fascinating, to see how the propeller feathering system works. Could almost feel the smooth curves of the gearing, feel a film of oil on my fingers. Thank you for posting.
Hi John thanks for your comments and watching
Thank you for posting this, Neville. It ranks as one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed along with the Spitfire, Mustang, P-38 and Lockheed Constellation (my choices at any rate).
Beautiful aircraft... worth every hour of hard work to see it flying again.
thankyou for allowing us to see everyone
working so hard on this marvelous
aircraft.
Hi Bon , nice comment thanks for watching
Congratulations to all those at East Kirkby, what a wonderful job you have done. All without the help of the "experts" posting on here.
Right?
Hi tectorama, well said. Thanks for watching
yeah--I'm miffed, I thought that outside toilet idea was great---and unique
One question would did you find the desperate old mosquito where did you find order and a particle enough who is aware could you let me know where did they find it could you having a good job there he did a good job I only you doing good job brand new Kevin of New Zealand
@@kevinwood3211 ----and now, in English
The Best Piece OF British furniture ever built. BAR NONE!!!!
Hi AJ nice comment ,thanks for watching
Worlds first composite fighter bomber, piaggio still uses its design in the avanti bizniz jet
AND---most effective.
Was lucky to see Tony in June when visiting East Kirkby, total dedication..Great achievement Tony and team .
Hi , a long road but what an achievement. Thanks for watching and comments
Marvelous. What an exquisite machine. I was just reading the Wiki Beaufighter entry and I was introduced to the notion of an exhaust shroud for night fighters so that the flames would not be seen and I thought "exhaust shroud on a Merlin - what does that look like?" - I will stay tuned.
My greatest dream has always been to see a Convair B-36 fly once again. I realize that will never happen but, like this project, I fully support every bit of time and money that has been spent to restore these planes. Even if they never fly again, the B-36 at Pima Air Museum in Tucson, and this Mosquito, each represent a living window into the past. Looking at a photo or watching an old 16 mm film are simply not the same as walking up to one of these old war birds and taking a close look, blemishes and all. For that matter, you never know what the future will hold. A decade ago, I would have bet good money we would never see a Union Pacific Big Boy run under its own power again. Ten years later, and quite a few millions of dollars spent by UP, and the Big Boy lives again! Let's hope something similar happens to the few remaining Mosquitos [and, yes, the B-36!].
Good video! I am sorry, but it is not clear to me...is this Mossie being restored to flying condition? Also, can the fighter bomber be flown with a yoke instead if a stick? Thanks!
Stephen Diskin. Well done for keeping history alive.
A Very Important and grossly underrated aircraft
Absolutely fantastic video. What I would do to see this beauty fly again. It only shows what a great human effort and a nation's effort to manufacture these crafts during wartime.
Hi Stephen. Thanks for your comments, and well said. Thanks for watching
Fascinating to watch. Kudos to that lift driver - quite the light hand on the levers!
Hi Motorv8N Yes he's good done this a few times . Thanks for thatching
Got tickets to see just Jayne and the gorgeous mossie in August. Can’t wait to see them 👍
Was 8 minutes in before I noticed the Lancaster behind it. Very few aircraft can steal the limelight from a Lancaster and this Mosquito is full value for the attention, great machine, intruder, pathfinder, night fighter, photo reconnaissance, "cookie" delivery system (hello, Berlin!) the de Havilland Mosquito was a war winner.
tribute to the mechanics who kept these birds flying.... amazing video..
Hi David, my feeling too. Thanks for watching and your comments
Always a tough job watching someone else working… I think I need a beer and a lie down …phew!!
Its interesting to note the Mosquito and Dove have the same propeller control system and the required tools are also made bt DeHavilland.
Nice one Tony, good to see its in a better home now, lets get a tune out of it ;)
Hi Patrick good comment. , Congratulation to Tony, East Kirkby engineers, support staff and not forgetting Elaine Well done on this project.
Stunning an beautiful work on the Mosquito. Thank you, I do wish to see the Vulcan fly again, I understand it has a main wing spar problem.
Hi Grover Thanks for watching and your comments. Vulcan, when it did its last flight 2 years ago I thought it was grounded for good. I hope I'm wrong
There's an engine problem too. At least two are close to end-of-service life, and nobody is qualified to make new ones.
An top of the line machist and shop can reproduce most if not all the parts, even if it means to outsource the required work. When you are talking about Two engines ending service life which aircraft are you speaking of? The Mosquito. The Vulcan. The Landcaster.
@@groverwhitely671 The Vulcan, also BAE pulled tech support so even if you could get more engines they won't allow it to fly again.
Superb Videos, Neville.Thank you for the uploads.
Hi Mark thanks for that comment
Hats off to the effort and commitment of all involved ......fantastic video
Hi Chris thanks for your comments and watching
30 people hated this ,Respect to those who flew the Wooden wonder ,Lest we Forget 💕💕💕
Probably the hate is only cause it wont be able to fly again sadly
Stephen Powell German sailors
She is beautiful
@@jjt1093 NOTHING, EXCUSES SUCH STUPIDITY, THEIR MEDICATION NEEDS REVIEWING.
Hate or disliked
I'm going to add a dislike
Disappointing Video
Not a single world added to talk us around such a deserving plane
Cracking stuff, and so easy for us here to comment on the lack of proper equipment, but imagine how they had to do it in the field? amazing.
Hi Fred , especially on a cold winter's day. Thanks for watching.
What an amazing experience. Thank you to all for sharing this. I can’t wait to visit hopefully in 2021 COVID a permitting. All the very best to you all for Christmas and a bumper 2021 with hopefully many visitors.
Hi Chris thanks for your comments and a Merry Christmas to you.
Great work being done here. Those who appreciate this superb aeroplane and its achievements owe the team a debt of thanks. I wonder if anyone ever considered trying the Mosquito with Napier Sabre engines?
Hi promerops. I'll pass on that one. Thanks for watching
promerops
A Sabre-engined Mosquito? I seriously doubt it. The Merlin was thoroughly understood and reliable and the aircraft was designed for that engine. The Sabre weighed a ton and delivered well over 2,000 horse power. Fitting a couple of those monsters to the Mosquito airframe would have meant so many structural changes to the aircraft that it would not have been a Mosquito any more.
As well, the Sabre had all kinds of bugs which cost too many pilots their lives before those bugs were cleaned out - not that they *were* completely cleaned out. Even at the end of the war the engine was still giving trouble. In fact, when the Mosquito was in the planning stages, the Sabre engine was also in its development stages and giving huge problems.
The Mosquito/Merlin combination was perfect and no one could see any reason to change that.
Fabulous aircraft with a fabulous, unique history.
Hi Dive Bar thanks for watching
What an amazing team 👏
Best piece of wood furniture the Brits ever built !
Really great fantastic thanks for showing us this ..what a lovely aircraft just amazing ..cheers
Hi jeffrey, thanks for your comment and watching.
What a great aircraft, seems a shame that it is not being restored to airworthy status, but for static display and taxi runs instead. Would be great to have a flyable Mosquito in England.
Hi Jerry ,check out "The People's Mosquito" on the web, thanks for watching.
Hi Jerry sorry static only, but check out "The People's Mosquito" on the net. Thanks for watching
I assisted on the restoration of one in Edmonton,Alberta, Canada. We tried every thing to get a air worthyness certificate. But regardless of changes made they refused to issue one. I will assume England is the same way. It's such a shame that a aircraft that did so much cannot fly again with the few remaining aircraft of that time. She did every job assigned to her, with distintion. One of the greatest aircraft in my book.
I always tell everybody take a look at a mosquito it looks like it's going 300 mph on the ground it has such a gorgeous shape to it and to think this plane is made mostly of wood and it can fly so fast and maneuver so well. And I love the sound of Merlin engines there's nothing like it I could be in a house that's all the windows are closed and if a plane with a Merlin engine is flying by I know it there's nothing like the sound of a Merlin
Original NAAFI van in there as well? What an amazing collection.
My dad was a radar operator/navigator in one of these, only his had the more advanced radar where you couldn't have the .303's. When he used this type of AI they operated Beaufighters.
BLOODY HELL, SUCH COMPLEX WORK, THE MIND BOGGLES. BRILLIANT , WELL DONE MEN.
Hi Philip nice comment they are working hard to get port engines running it will be first time since 1986 . thanks for watching
Only just found this so a bit late to the party - but great job! I think I'd have put a 'Top' mark on the plate behind the prop though, so it goes on the right way up every time.
Fab. Looks like an Airfix 1:1 scale model!
What a MAGNIFICENT aircraft!!! 🏆🏆🏆
I will never understand why the .303's were never upgraded to .50 Cals ... 🤔
Send it to New Zealand. They will do a meticulous rebuild and get it flying
New Zealand can build a new one but cannot restore this one, the fuselage cannot be restored to flying condition.
You just replace the fuse, it actually quite easy, the metal work and there is a lot more than you would think is the critical part and you already have all of that. They have a mold for the fuse, I’ve seen there work it’s impressive.
How much would your easy rebuild of "Replacing the fuse" cost?
Principal over Dollars....That Iconic bird deserves to be rebuilt to flying condition. The Kiwi's can, and are doing it. Taxi only status would be a real shame IMO
What about "The Peoples Mosquito"?
Yes very good. But what are try doing?
Outstanding job by guys of an iconic 'ship' lets see her fly soon
Sorry Andrew not tobe . Thanks for watching
Excellent to see this Mosquito on it's way towards flying again? And 👍 to the footage of the bits & bobs being reassembled.
Hi George sorry this one is static only (plus engine run and taxying) . Thanks for watching. Check out "The People's Mosquito" on the net.
An irreplaceable Mosquito and a Lancaster in the same hangar plus loads of bits and pieces
Is there a sprinkler system in that hangar ?
Hi the occupier. good comment. thanks for watching
@@nevillewheeldon1693 We found a well preserved Mosquito in Afghanistan in a barn near Mazar e Sharif in 2005 when I was stationed with Swedish special forces,SBS,Finns and my Para 1 unit. They bought it and restored it at SAAB Aerospace in Sweden. The Swedes had 4 Mosquito Merlin engines to spare at their Airforce museum. Now its on display at Hendon.
@@strikerorwell9232 The Hendon Mossie was retired from the RAF in 59 and was stored by the air historical branch. It was never in Afghan
That is just plain AWESOME!!!
The Mosquito had something right which some modern light aircraft still don't. The undercarriage lever has a wheel shaped know, the flap lever has a flap shaped lever. No chance of confusing them even if you don't look.
I have loved the mosquito since watching 633 squadron film years ago.My other plane I loved was the P51 mosquito.
The P51 was the Mustang not the Mosquito!!
@@BobFarnell L had been out that night for a few beers please forgive me for such an error. I will cut my hand off in pennance.
Did you know that the film-makers deliberately destroyed a serviceable Mossie for that film? B*****ds...
All very well said, but even MORE IMPORTANT that we have flying examples. Te remember the sacrifice of those who flew and those who supported them.
They need to get it flying ✈ and the Lancaster bomber not just going up and down a runway
To get it flying requires money - that is donated by people like you. I do, from Australia.
I believe that getting the Lancaster flying again is under way.
MarsFKA ....you lot, it has flown...
It's wood not metal. Wood fatigues far worse from flight stress. Wood dry rots, holds moisture, grows mold, the glue bonds break in the layers on the monocoque fuselage. This fuselage, which has war history in combat, will NEVER be safe again for flight. That is a death wish, and the drawback of wood planes. You could build a new one, but it wont be this plane it will be a new plane.
I agree, an aeroplane on the ground is like a bird with a busted wing.
Though I do have an understanding on the costs to make it fly which are horrendous.So being a winged bird is better than a dead one or firewood. Sad as it may be
best ww2 aeroplane by far superb would love to see it fly again
Poetry in motion worthy of man's passion
Hi Skypilot 23 . Nice one .TFW
@@nevillewheeldon1693 I had to look up TFW- I think it's a very gracious comment? thank you
@@skypilot23 I Skypilot. What I meant by TFW (Thanks For Watching). Hope I have not caused any offence .
@@nevillewheeldon1693 we are on the same wave length heavens no
Beautiful aircraft.. great to see one still alive😊
Hi K4plaa Beautiful and at a good home. Thanks for watching
Fascinating to watch professionals at work....if it dont fit, hit it!...I thought the engines were made out of wood like the rest of it?................they're doing a good job.
Thank you for making and sharing this excellent video and thank you, Tony, for preserving this aircraft, a magnificent achievement. I too wait to see a Mossie flying again in this country but fully understand why it wont be this one. Hope to see her soon in person.
Hi Paul thanks for your comments and watching. A Mosquito will fly over the UK in the next 6 to 8 years check out "the People's Mosquito" on the net
I photographed this beauty a few weeks ago.
We need to get apprentices shadowing the men to learn the trades , Once these craftsmen retire or sadly pass away who’s to pick up the tools?
Great video ...
Classic warbird a real beauty
wow super interesting video of a beautiful airchraft .but no use of torque when mounting the propeller hub . ore was it just not filmed.
Hi Kurt your are right not quite finished yet. It was OK for static display and the photo shoot. Since then the engineers have been working on the port engine to get it running. Like all old aircraft the gremlins keep getting in the way but are close to starting this engine. ( I'm sure they will use a torque wrench on the propeller hub). Thanks for watching.
I wonder if the on-board radar is in the cockpit - can see the antenna or dipoles.
Sad that this amazing piece of history will never fly again.
Hi Philippe. yes it is but it will be good to see her taxiing under her own power .Thanks for watching and your comments
And not a maintenance manual or a torque wrench anywhere? When's the ground runs? Outstanding work guy's, keep it up...
Hi Andrew nice comment a lot of hard work and know-how as gone into this project. Engine run next? Nev
I thought the same thing, never saw’‘em torque a single bolt... absolutely beautiful bird. Thanks for the video
I remember seeing one flying over Prestwood, High Wycombe around 1980ish. Wonder what happened to it. Any ideas, please?
Probably was RR299, it crashed and was destroyed
What an engineering marvel. Perfection!!!!
Thanks for your comment Chris
I have a throttle box from one of these, wish I could find the rest of it
Will she fly? I’ve been on at the Canadians for years to hand their one over but they won’t.
Hi English Andy. Sorry no. TFW
Will this just be on static display or restored to flying condition?
There should be a special "clean room" before unwrapping engine components and for all engine assembly work to ensure and keep to a minimum any chance of contamination to bearing parts of the engine. A simple polythene tent would suffice, there is no way I would have bare engine components handled on a contaminated wooden pallet, plus all engine fitters should be clothed in clean overalls at all time when engine fitting.
One little piece of grit on a plain/roller bearing will be it's destruction, they should have had me re-building both engines, they would be perfectly assembled.
Well here we go ,another reason it costs millions to restore these gems.When they had to repair these engines during combat did they have a "WHITE ROOM" no they did not you just got on with it.
You obviously have no idea regarding excellent engine assembly functions. You sound like the typical hammer and chisel merchant.
The Englishman You'd have kittens if you saw my workshop that has seen over 2 dozen engine rebuilds in 15 years, from old British bikes to modern heavy commercial Diesels, by me and my mates, with dirty hands and overalls. None of which ever went pop due to the environment they were built in.
gives me the creeps, concrete floor, nice abrasive dust environment, never saw a torque wrench once, farm machines for hoists, bad working heights, open fronted building to stir up the dust, and that ring spanner was intended for use with a torque bar, but no, lets just lean on it a bit, and that engine assembly cradle, who made that mess?, makes access a total nightmare, this is just some guy with not enough money playing with his toys, thankfully they will never get certification for any of it to fly, just a bunch of enthusiasts playing Airforce mechanic, no way I would pass any of that as fit to fly (if that was my job), theirs no wonder so many of these old planes get destroyed in crashes if the maintenance is at this level, imo "lovingly restored" is a euphemism for "bodged together by a bunch of tinkerers and some old guys going from memory "
mechanical mechanisms of the 1940's weren't built with the close tolerances of today's devices.
What a wonderful job...
I don't see any ejection slots for the machine gun empty cartridge cases and belt links. When the guns were fired did the empties just fall into the bottom of the gun bay?
Interesting. And well done. But I thought all night fighters were painted black?
Hi Jack yes they were pained black up to 1943 changed to grey with dark green pattern, thanks for watching.
I bet those four cannons were the ‘ A10 Warthog ‘ of their day.
Are we going to see this in the skys too one day?
Please forgive my ignorance. I was wondering why this fabulous war bird cannot be restored to flying status?
Hi mikmer1. The CAA are very strict with the rules, I believe they like to be in on the ground when starting a project. So turning up with a complete aircraft is a non-starter. The fuselage and wings are not airworthy and cannot be restored. so to late now. Tony started this as a static display project. running the engines and taxiing is a bonus.Well done to Tony all the engineers and helpers who restored this aircraft. Thanks for watching
Thank you for your detailed reply. It looked very complete to my untrained eyes but I didn’t realize the structure was so far gone as to be declared forever grounded. It’s a shame as there are so few of the wonderful war birds left, I suppose a static display has its value for future generations to see and learn. Is there a history of this particular aircraft that I may read somewhere and where was it until this restoration was initiated?
Hi mikmer1 .. I perhaps misled you on the structure of this aircraft. It was restored by tony to the book using the correct materials and more than likely just as strong as a flying mosquito,but was not checked by CAA engineers on any stage of the restoration. Tony only ever meant it to be a static display Mosquito.. On the web check out "Tony Agar's Mosquito" for the history of this aircraft.. Also check out on the web "The peoples Mosquito". I'm a member of this club. Hopefully there will be a Mosquito flying in the UK skies in about six years. The fuselage and wings will be made in NZ and assembled in the UK. Nice talking to you Nev.
Understood ........ thank you for the information and for your patience.
Neville Wheeldon It might be a good idea for the British people and their government to show some haste if they want to achieve the goal of a a flying Mosquito .New Zealanders are doing some marvellous restorations but the team that knits timber,aluminium and steel together to recreate the Wooden Wonder will,in a few years ,surely be “demobbed”,and the precious moulds discarded.Also there is the reality that the correct,viable engines and metal components will increasingly be harder to locate.The idea that it is a sacrilege to replace a rot eaten,dangerous wooden monocoque with the best of modern technology ,has no precedent.Crowds still go down to the pier to crawl over the R.Navy’s pride ,”Victory”a vessel that has received many a new section of oak over the years. No cry’s of foul in this instance. Get on and rebuild the plane : ( for the sake of future generations ).
Wow it is great to watch
Niice. Keep up the great work.
Old world engineering, where you leave open engine blocks in a dusty and FOD rich environment before reassembly.
Exactly what I was thinking....Not even a rag over the block.
I use a piece of cardboard and plywood that I cut from the gasket that I remove, then bolt the card board with the plywood on top, works great especially when you have removed internal parts like oil coolers where if you don't totally seal the face then water channels can flow into oil channels, the cardboard will seal liquid and gas tight with atmospheric pressures. I don't like rags because a small piece of lint can block an oil channel or cause a valve to leak and they are an excellent mode of transport for various other FOD. I worked in aircraft maintenance for many years I once had a set of new pistons sitting on a rag on a bench next to a grinding wheel, the edge of the rag got caught on the grinding wheel and sling shotted the pistons at supersonic speed across the workshop. Another occasion I was using a power drill at the top of a ladder and the sleeve of my jacket got caught in the drill and twisted my arm up so tight I could not release the trigger of the drill, meanwhile the drill is smoking because it has stalled but is still on full power trying to rotate me off the top of the ladder, I had to reach over with the arm I was holding onto the ladder with and pull my finger off the trigger. Rags and rotating machines, natural born killers.
It’s a much cleaner environment to work in than North Africa! Nice work guys 👍🏻
++ DEEREMEYER1++ No doubt the only real experts in everything to do with aviation are, like yourself and your ilk, in the good old usa. The very same "experts" who can only ever make derisory, derogatory or downright rude remarks. Perhaps you and your friend wilbur would be better served looking to your own backyard before dirtying up anyone else's with your worthless comments.
She's a real beauty.
Cheers Paul the engines will be running again this week end at EK airshow.
FROM a loyal YANK, WE love the Mossy too !!!!!! Long live the R.A.F.