The Aviation Heritage Centre ran its Mosquito's engines yesterday. This is the former John Smith collection aircraft that sat in his shed for more than 50 years along with two P-40s, a P-51, Tiger Moth, Vampires, Harvards and a Hudson and assorted crates full of engines and stuff. The Mossie's engines were often run back in the 50s and 60s, but as John got older and the importance of his collection grew, he became less amenable to public visits, not least because all and sundry kept offering him money to cart the aircraft away. After his death, the family dispersed the collection, but to individuals who will take care of the aircraft. The Harvard and P-51 are undergoing ground up restorations and of the P-40s, one will do the same, while the other is now in the Aviation Heritage Centre, along with the Hudson and the Mosquito.
The Mossie has not had a ground up restoration, but it is structurally sound, as it was dismantled and pored over by the guys and girls here. Although there are elements of the exterior woodwork that have been replaced, it is pretty much in original condition. It'll never fly again, but its engines run, which makes for a living breathing museum piece. It wears the squadron codes of 487 (New Zealand) Sqn, RAF.
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Lastly, a pretty Waco undergoing restoration locally.
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More images here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/147661871 ... 025720031/
Thanks for looking.
Mosquito Day, Omaka
- Alpha Delta 210
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Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
What a beautiful survivor.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Thanks for posting these images. I read in the last issue of Classic Wings that the engine had bee started for a private viewing recently. I hope they have a public session at next year's Omaka.
Good news about the restoration of the other aircraft in the collection. Do you think that they'll be restored to fly?
Good news about the restoration of the other aircraft in the collection. Do you think that they'll be restored to fly?
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Just lovely
Buy the sky and sell the sky and lift your arms up to the sky and ask the sky"
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Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Superb thanks for sharing!
TT
TT
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Absolutely fantastic photos Grant! It's so wonderful to see this magnificent aircraft back under power, in such incredible condition, and with the public finally able to see her. Just wonderful!
- Mustang 45-11513/NZ2423 is under restoration to fly at RNZAF Base Ohakea, recently received its engine back from Vintage V-12s and its wings (restored by Odegaard Wings in the US) will be back in NZ within a couple of months. I've been saving owner Brendon Deere's Facebook update photos here and photos of my last visit to see progress here - it will be one of the most authentically-finished and fitted-out Mustangs anywhere when it flies next year
- Harvard Mk.III 41-33880/EX907/NZ1068 is under restoration to fly by owner Nick Sheehan at Ardmore near Auckland. His photos can be seen here. Harvard Mk.II NZ909 is also at Ardmore awaiting restoration, likely to airworthiness
- P-40E 41-36410/EV156/NZ3043 "Bess" is under restoration to fly at Omaka by Mike Nicholls and John Saunders
- Tiger Moth DHNZ147/NZ1467/ZK-BQB was returned to taxiable status for this event and will be placed on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
- as mentioned by Grant, P-40N-20 43-22962/NZ3220 "Gloria Lyons" has been sympathetically preserved and placed on display at the OAHC
- Hudson Mk.IIIA FH175/NZ2049 is displayed unrestored at the OAHC in a "jungle wreck" diorama
If I may chime in:
- Mustang 45-11513/NZ2423 is under restoration to fly at RNZAF Base Ohakea, recently received its engine back from Vintage V-12s and its wings (restored by Odegaard Wings in the US) will be back in NZ within a couple of months. I've been saving owner Brendon Deere's Facebook update photos here and photos of my last visit to see progress here - it will be one of the most authentically-finished and fitted-out Mustangs anywhere when it flies next year
- Harvard Mk.III 41-33880/EX907/NZ1068 is under restoration to fly by owner Nick Sheehan at Ardmore near Auckland. His photos can be seen here. Harvard Mk.II NZ909 is also at Ardmore awaiting restoration, likely to airworthiness
- P-40E 41-36410/EV156/NZ3043 "Bess" is under restoration to fly at Omaka by Mike Nicholls and John Saunders
- Tiger Moth DHNZ147/NZ1467/ZK-BQB was returned to taxiable status for this event and will be placed on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
- as mentioned by Grant, P-40N-20 43-22962/NZ3220 "Gloria Lyons" has been sympathetically preserved and placed on display at the OAHC
- Hudson Mk.IIIA FH175/NZ2049 is displayed unrestored at the OAHC in a "jungle wreck" diorama
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Thanks for the detailed info., Zac. I'm so pleased to hear that such a large number are being restored to airworthy condition.
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Happy to share the good word!
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Looks a good gig that Grant.
Sorry I was working!
Sorry I was working!
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates
Re: Mosquito Day, Omaka
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates