Warbirds Online has a great affection for the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito (known as the Wooden Wonder) in its many variants, not least of all because the type was built under license here in Australia during and after WW11 and served the RAAF with distinction although for a number of reasons it was too late to see widespread service. In Australia, Mosquitos are fairly uncommon with two major restorations in Museums and several other partial restorations under way. A52-600 NS631 PR.XVI is under restoration at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook and is well on the way to completion.
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- Dh.98 Mosquito A52-600 Richmond 1980s
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- DH.98 Mosquito A52-600 at Point Cook Vic
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- Dh.98 Mosquito A52-600 horizontal stabiliser
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- de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito A52 600 fuselage in jig
The other complete de Havilland Mosquito, in the Australian War Memorial (AWM) is A52-210/319 an FB.40 converted to PR41 on the production line at Bankstown. The aircraft was delivered on 18/02/48 to 2 Air Depot (AD) and then on 10/03/48 3 AD Archerfield QLD. On 16/03/48 the Mosquito was being flown 130 miles NE of Dubbo NSW when the pilot reported fire in the instrument panel. The aircraft landed safely and was repaired. On 17/08/48 the aircraft again went into storage at 3 AD.
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- de Havilland DH.98 VH-WAD Perth in storage
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- A52 210/319 in storage
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- de Havilland DH98 Mosquito PR.41A52 210 319 in storage – AWM Treloar Technology Centre 1996
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- A52 210/319 in storage AWM 1996
Then on 20/07/53 the Mossie was sold to ex WW1 AFC pilot Capt. James Woods of Perth for 100 pounds and registered as VH-WAD named “The Quokka”. It was intended that Capt. Woods compete in the 1953 England-New Zealand air race but he was unable to get a sponsor so A52-319 was stored and passed through a number of hands. There was even a plan to send the aircraft to the USA to be restored to fly in air racing but due to shipping issues this never occurred. Following various protracted legal processes the aircraft was put up for tender in 1972 and the AWM successfully bid and sent the aircraft to Hawker deHavillands Bankstown plant where it was restored over the next decade and is now on display at the AWM in Canberra.
Warbirds Online has been able to visit A52-210/319 on a number of occasions, including during her restoration in the early 1990s at Bankstown and then during her storage at the Treloar Technology Centre, the Australian War Memorial’s storage and workshop facility and again recently on display in the Aircraft Hall at the AWM. This is a beautifully restored aircraft that is representative of the breed, being Australian built and having been both a FB and PR aircraft. If you visit the AWM be sure to catch up with this great Aussie Warbird.
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- A52 210/319 nacelle view AWM 2015
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- A52-210/319 front view AWM 2015
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- A52 210/319 AWM 2015
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- A52 210/319 with PR cameras
We have had the opportunity to travel the world and see many of the worlds surviving “Mossies” and it is always amazing to consider that the aircraft which is constructed largely of wood could be such a successful aircraft and possess such high performance. The type operated in many roles including Fighter, Bomber and Reconnaissance aircraft.
In recent years, New Zealand restorer AvSpecs has worked with Glyn Powell to restore several of the type to airworthy status and the first of these, FB Mk26 KA114, flew again at Ardmore airfield on 27 Sept 2012 as reported by Warbirds Online.
*B&W photo’s sourced & courtesy of Geoff Goodall’s Aviation History site
http://www.goodall.com.au/photographs/wrecks-relics/wrecksnrelics.html
© John Parker 2016
So happy to know that at least one of these marvelous planes still flies.
My father was a flight officer in the RCAF 418 Mosquito squadron 1943 to 45, so i have a special respect for this plane. (F/O Marcelus Eugene Zimmer)
I talk to people about this plane and am saddened by how few know anything about it. How could such a successful plane not receive the high recognition it deserves. Unfortunately what people remember are the planes that the american film industry glorified. To see your plane fly in person is on my bucket list.
Respectfully
Michael P. Zimmer
Hi Michael
Yes they are a magnificent aircraft and one that needs to be remembered.
kind regards
John
Do you have the latest photo’s of A52-600 at all & an approx finish date
Regards
Brian Jones
Hi Brian,
No we don’t have any further photos of the aircraft since our visit there for the Point Cook airshow. We are also not aware of the finish date for the aircraft.
kind regards
John
Hi, I recently visited the AWM and saw the Mossie, which brought up a couple of questions about the engines. These seem to have two “intakes” underneath, whereas most other Mosquitos have one. And there are six exhausts per side of the Merlins, but other Mosquitos have five exhausts, with the two aft-most cylinders per side joined into a single exhaust. Is there any information on these differences?
Thanks, Wilber
Hi Wilber
The twin stage supercharger of later, longer Merlins moved the exhaust stacks forward, allowing ideal, efficient exhausting via six stacks. When you look at the cowling of a twin stage, there is an intake for the intercooler radiator immediately under the spinner, ie two intakes, six stacks. So the single stage supercharged engine has one intake, five stacks.
Kind regards
John
Good morning,
Could you be kind enough to tell me where I coud see and admire a completed Mosquito Fighter in Australia.
I have always admired the graceful lines of this plane ever since I was a kid.
Thank you,
Nishan Uduman
Hi Nishan
You can see one on display at the Australian War Memorial in the Memorial’s Aircraft Hall at Canberra ACT. There is also one being restored at the RAAF Museum at RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook, Victoria.
Kind regards
John