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MOSQUITO RENNAISSANCE... NEW LIFE FOR THE WOODEN WONDER
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When discussing World War Two aeroplanes everyone has a
favourite, but one aircraft attracts universal admiration and that is
the de Havilland Mosquito. The Mosquito was unique in concept and design.
In an age where aluminium stressed skin construction had been fully embraced
by all nations serious about aircraft production, de Havilland built an
aeroplane out of wood; an aeroplane that in its bomber configuration and
with a crew of just two, could carry the same bomb load as a Flying Fortress
and then depart the scene at such a speed that Luftwaffe fighters could
not catch it. |
Most Mosquito restorers would agree that a Mosquito wing could be
rebuilt as a fairly conventional, albeit exhaustive exercise. (A small
spruce forest and a truck load of brass screws would help in the process.)
The Mosquito fuselage however, is unique in the way that it was built,
requiring two enormous and extremely complex moulds to be constructed
before even starting work on the aircraft itself. It was always the
hard nut to crack for this aeroplane and it seemed certain that no one
person would ever contemplate this daunting task. Over the last six
years however, one individual has done precisely that and the potential
impact of achievable Mosquito fuselage rebuilds is set to have a staggering
effect on the world-wide Mosquito population.
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| When Glyn Powell of Auckland, New Zealand first decided
that one way or the another he was going to pursue a flyable Mosquito,
he knew precisely what he was taking on. He travelled to places around
the world where Mosquitos were flying, on display, stored or under restoration,
including all the Australasian survivors. He proceeded to gather all the
metal parts that he could locate in this region as well as manuals, books,
and tech.notes and most importantly over 8,000 microfilm drawings. |
| After thousands of hours of full-time input, Glyn has now
completed the all-important left and right moulds. These moulds are adaptable,
in as much as bomber, fighter and photo reconnaissance models can all
be produced. Glyn has since commenced construction of the first fuselage.
This will be a non-flier to test drive the jigs and once completed the
first airworthy fuselage can proceed to be built up. |
| There is no question that this a most ambitious project.
However the biggest stumbling block, in fact the biggest single undertaking
in the entire project, has now been overcome. This then leads the way
clear for the restoration own NZ2308 and potentially many other 'disembodied'
Mosquitos all over the world. Since the end of World War Two the future
prospects for the Mosquito as a type have progressively declined, as have
the number of machines capable of being flown safely. Now after 50 years
that inevitable decline can be turned around with the prospect of replacement
wooden fuselages being made viable. The Mosquito will have the chance
to soar again. Glyn Powell's efforts, through his company 'Mosquito
Aircraft Restoration Ltd' may well prove to be the salvation of the
breed. |
| Graham Orphan |
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| This article is Copyright Classic Wings Downunder, 1997.
For the original article, visit http://www.cwd.co.nz/back/vol3no2/a.htm |