Now I've just about seen everything....now I've seen a Mosquito fly

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Many years ago I read in an article about these fine aircraft.

One thing that stood out was the discussion of "issues" with the adhesive used to hold all that wood together.

According to the article, things went pear-shaped in India.

Apparently, the climate caused the glue to lose its "grab", especially in the engine nacelles.

The phrase, "suddenly losing power, (and engines and propellers), and leaving Merlin-shaped holes in the Deccan", springs to mind.

Anyone else heard / read about this?

Here in Oz, there are apparently three complete surviving Mosquitoes:

One at the Australian War Memorial Canberra,
One under restoration at the RAAF Museum Point Cook Victoria
One at the Camden Aircraft Museum, Camden,
with another couple of "project" aircraft said to "survive" in various states of "recoverability".

[CINDERS]

The very early prototype had issues with the flaps and ailerons and from memory they lengthened the engine nacelles that split the flaps which seemed to alleviate a handling issue of some sort cannot remember also two of three de Havilands sons died flying one in a mossie accident during the war and the other in a jet in 1946

[Peter Laidler]

The RNZAF were destroying the last of their mosquitos that had been laid up at the RNZAF base near Hamilton (someone remind me what it was called as we used to go there occasionally) in the mid 60's. They were chopped across the supported wings outboard of the main body with a chomper and the main body crashed to the floor. Some were supposedly saved to use as props in a film being made at the time. One of my old Armr Sgts at out big Ordnance workshop there was an ex RNZAF Armourer and knew all about them.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The RNZAF were destroying the last of their mosquitos that had been laid up at the RNZAF base near Hamilton.
I am going to have a hard time getting that sad picture out of my head.

[Gil Boyd]

Its like lots of things which we all take for granted including weapons today over time, and then they are as rare as rocking horse poo!

[CINDERS]

Wonder why the Warbirds of Wanaka did not snaffle them even as a static display who cares there is also that museum there that has the Canberra bomber and the Centurion tank they would more than likely be interested that is a very sad and sorry thing to hear.......

[Bob Womack]

FYI, the Virginia Beach Mossy came out of a farmer's field in Oz.

Bob

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Its like lots of things which we all take for granted including weapons today over time, and then they are as rare as rocking horse poo!

Sad but true. Old cars are so unusual now I get a rush when I see a 1975 Ford pinto.

[CINDERS]

I was once going to buy a Cougar 440CI V8 but at 18 my dad said he would kick my butt if I did could not afford it really imagine trying to fuel it now Oh I get 14 gallons to the mile!

[Woodsy]

The RNZAF were destroying the last of their mosquitos that had been laid up at the RNZAF base near Hamilton (someone remind me what it was called as we used to go there occasionally) in the mid 60's. They were chopped across the supported wings outboard of the main body with a chomper and the main body crashed to the floor. Some were supposedly saved to use as props in a film being made at the time. One of my old Armr Sgts at out big Ordnance workshop there was an ex RNZAF Armourer and knew all about them.

Peter, that was Ngaruwhahia. One reasonably complete example still exists privately in a shed in Nelson (the last couple of feet was chainsawed off one wing to get the shed doors closed!). The owner won't sell it it but there are concerted efforts being made to get it for restoration.