In New Zealand, following on from the first flight of Jerry Yegans de Havilland Mosquito, FB Mk26 KA114, comes news of two further Mosquito restorations in the wings and progressing well.
Glyn Powell’s de Havilland Mosquito is an Australian built FB Mk40, converted to T Mk43 standard as a trainer and flown post war by the RNZAF as NZ2308; a dual control Australian equivalent of the British T Mk.3. Built at the Bankstown assembly line as a FB Mk.40, A52-20 was converted to T43 status as A52-1054. It was one of four purchased by the RNZAF in June 1947. Disposed of in 1955 it ended its days on a farm at Riwaka in the north of the South Island New Zealand until bought by Glyn Powell. It is being restored to airworthy using a new build fuselage and wings by Glyn.
The aircraft is now structurally complete with tail and wings mated to the fuselage the aircraft is to be finished in the Silver scheme it wore when in RAAF service. Recently, it has come to light that the Mosquito will now be completed with the injection of funding from a UK based organization “The Flying Mosquito Trust” and eventually operated in the UK. The restoration of this historic de Havilland Mosquito will take another 3 years and it is hoped it will remain in New Zealand for a period of time prior to its departure to the UK. Sadly, the Mosquito is not a aircraft which takes kindly to frequent dismantling and reassembly, so one imagines it is unlikely to return to NZ again once it departs.
In any case this de Havilland Mosquito will make a stunning addition to the ranks of the flying Warbird population and a great tribute to Glyn.
© John Parker 2013
This particular aircraft was flown from Bankstown NSW to Ohakea by my father W/C Johnny Checketts in a record time of 3 hours 38 minutes . Naturally I have an interest in it. I would love to see it if I came to Auckland.
Hi Chris
Thank you for sharing your families history in connection with this aircraft. We hope you do get to see it someday.
Kind regards
John
Our family Xmas holidayed in Nelson from 1960 on, and on the way to Kaiteriteri we’d pass the Mosquito sitting in a paddock next to the farmhouse.
Being 10 years old and heavily into WW2 aeroplanes, it was a landmark to look out for. It seemed to become more derelict looking as the years passed.
So pleased to see it’s getting a second life.
Cheers.
Hi Brent
Good to hear your history and memories about this aircraft.
Kind regards
John