Mosquito status?

Thu Sep 15, 2016 8:15 pm

Kiwi photographer supreme Gavin Conroy just shared a photo on Facebook: TV959 has emerged wearing the colours of NZ2337/YC-F of the Royal New Zealand Air Force! Awesome!!! https://www.facebook.com/ClassicAircraf ... 66899713:0

Here's a potted history of the real NZ2337 from ADF-Serials:
Built at Standard Motors. Previously TE757 and delivered sometime between 27 May 1945 and 21 December 1945.
Ferried from the United Kingdom by an RAF/RNZAF crew and BOC Ohakea on 09 May 1947.
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival.
Destroyed by fire in No. 2 Hangar at Ohakea on 02 June 1950.
An inspection lamp fell into an oil drip tray, starting a fire and the aircraft was unable to be pushed out of the hangar in time to save it.
Written off books at Ohakea on 05 July 1950.

Thu Sep 15, 2016 9:26 pm

Now has some markings!

https://www.facebook.com/Avspecs/

Thu Sep 15, 2016 9:33 pm

Having discussions after engine run
https://flic.kr/p/MdbUiw

Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:40 am

The first flight didn't happen today, but that doesn't mean there aren't some nice photos to look at:
http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2016/09/ ... -16-9.html
https://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2016/09 ... hc-at.html

Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:05 pm

I've complied a video from Friday (having taken the afternoon off in the hope of seeing the first flight).

https://youtu.be/3V9pK2-6ieI

Sun Sep 18, 2016 11:11 pm

As some may have guessed, she didn't fly yesterday. I got to see her through a window but that was it. Hoping for news later in the week

Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:34 pm

She flies! Airborne in the last 20min (1634hr here). Link to A2A pics shot from a Spitfire by Gavin Conroy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClassicAircraf ... =3&theater

The MRC Aviation blog (link) says Dave Phillips and Keith Skilling were the crew for the maiden. Some lovely photos on their post.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:03 am

YAY!!!

I've been waking up every morning for the last week thinking "It has to be today"

Congrats to the whole team! She looks truly magnificent!! :drink3:

Andy

Mon Sep 26, 2016 2:40 pm

You and me both, Andy! Word yesterday was the weather forecast for Auckland was awful for the next 10 days so the news came totally out of the blue. What a great way to start the week! Best Monday ever! :supz:

On Twitter about an hour ago the Flying Heritage Collection account posted said TV959 is "coming to FHC next year".

Tue Sep 27, 2016 11:43 am

I really like the paint scheme. A fine example of "less is more".

Mon Oct 03, 2016 8:56 pm

Agreed! I'm very, very pleased the team did that.

The second test flight was late last week: https://youtu.be/hr-28-1cRl8

The third was about three hours ago: http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2016/ ... light.html

Tue Oct 04, 2016 2:29 pm

Posted on the FHC facebook page with the caption ...

"Rare DH98 Mosquito coming to FHC next year! Last night Mossie took to the skies for her maiden flight over New Zealand, showing off a gorgeous temporary paint scheme! As restoration wraps up over the next couple of months, she will head to her new home at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, WA."

Photo Courtesy of Tony Smith Photography

Tue Oct 04, 2016 3:45 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:Posted on the FHC facebook page with the caption ...

"Rare DH98 Mosquito coming to FHC next year! Last night Mossie took to the skies for her maiden flight over New Zealand, showing off a gorgeous temporary paint scheme! As restoration wraps up over the next couple of months, she will head to her new home at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, WA."

Photo Courtesy of Tony Smith Photography

A Beaut!!