Calgary Mosquito and Hurricane

[mrhenniger]

I don't speak for Mr Potter or Vintage Wings (on this subject anyway), but I don't see the Mossie going to Vintage Wings. VWoC doesn't collected multi-engined aircraft or static aircraft. So putting the Mossie back in the air would be out of scope for Vintage Wings and would consume a huge amount of resources making other uncompleted projects be delayed further. However, considering the experience VWoC is obtaining working on the Mk XII Hurricane and the fact they have a jig now for reconstructing Hurricane wing boxes, it is conceivable they could do a restoration to flight worthy condition of the Hurricane. HOWEVER they already have two Hurricanes, as much as I like them I can't say they really need another.

Just thinking out loud here.

Mike

[bdk]

Yes the buyer has a nice collection as well but I would like to see it stay in canada..

And I would like someone to give me a nice flyable Mustang. Any volunteers?

To me it is disconcerting that the owners of these aircraft have no plan and are relying on public input for their decision.

[peter]

Well lets see what comes out of tonights meeting. I have a feeling it might be all smoke and mirrors and a deal might have been agreed on behind the scenes. Dont take it as gospel just me thinking out loud. Either way I would hope the city and all those involved act with the best intentions for the aircraft number as their one priority..

[Tom H]

Couple of points to consider on this one.

1) Canada has laws regarding Heritage artifacts and they must be followed.

2) I would like to see a resolution that is best for the aircraft involved and the
Calgary Aerospace Museum...best case would be funding to allow the
museum to grow and not have to dispose of any aircraft.

3) There are many museums in Canada that would love the Mossie and are
capable of restoring it correctly...the Reynolds Alberta Museum is one and
there are others.

Beyond that it is really an issue for the City of Calgary and the Calgary Aerospace Museum and its membership to deal with.

Tom

[warbird1]

The museum had a signed contract for the sale of the Mosquito, and AFAIK money was paid over at one point (and has since been returned after the sale was blocked).

It would be nice if they honored that contract if the airframe is still to be disposed of. The original buyer is one of few who have the resources and track record to restore the airframe, unlike the Calgary museum.

Yes the buyer has a nice collection as well but I would like to see it stay in canada..

I take it that the original buyer is still classified. No problem on that. But can anyone say if this original buyer had intended on restoring it to flight status or keeping it static?

I don't really care where the airplane ends up, as long as it is in a good home, where it is lovingly restored to her former glory.

[Mike]

It would have been restored to fly had the original sale (to a UK-based owner) gone through.

[Ethan]

I dont care where it ends up as long as it flys again !
We need more Mosquitos in the air.

[J-F St-Pierre]

Hi Mike (Henniger) (and all other)

Is it written somewhere in the VWoC "association chart" (sorry maybe its not the good word, I still have to perfect my english), that they only preserve single engine plane ? Because, on the web site, in there mission statement ( http://www.vintagewings.ca/page?s=67&lang=en-CA ) it is written: "At Vintage Wings of Canada it is our mission to acquire, restore, maintain and fly classic aircraft significant to the early history of powered flight. A particular focus is on aircraft of Canadian importance."

I know they only have single engine planes, but is, inside the organisation, they said we will not have multi engine plane(the main reason I see is $$$$$$) or it is only because the occasion to acquire a signifcant multi engine aircraft of Canadian importance has not been there yet?

The DH Mosquito is the perfect exemple of the mission statement: the type was built in Canada, several canadian squadrons and pilots flew it, and a lot of aerial survey for map making was done with in the north of Canada. As a long term project, nobody can ask better, in my opinion, for VWoC.

I understand that you can only speak for yourself and, as you said, not for Mr Potter and VWoC. I also dont want that you take a chance to break the privileged (I hope I use the good word) relation that you seam to have with VWoC by speaking to much... I would like myself to be able to go in this hangar more often that at the open house, but the total of 8 hours drive to go and be back at home is to much to do it more often

Thanks for your answer

Hope to see you again next summer

J-F St-Pierre

[richkolasa]

Couple of points to consider on this one.

1) Canada has laws regarding Heritage artifacts and they must be followed.

Tom

Canada has laws and they must be followed? Wow, Canada is different than the U.S. Good for you guys. Can we send you some of our politicians (from Chicago, for instance), to teach yours?

Rich

[Warbird Kid]

However, considering the experience VWoC is obtaining working on the Mk XII Hurricane and the fact they have a jig now for reconstructing Hurricane wing boxes, it is conceivable they could do a restoration to flight worthy condition of the Hurricane. HOWEVER they already have two Hurricanes, as much as I like them I can't say they really need another.

Just thinking out loud here.

Mike

But Im sure CWH would want it. And both of these great museums seem to have allot of positive cooperation.

[mrhenniger]

Hi Mike (Henniger) (and all other)

Is it written somewhere in the VWoC "association chart" (sorry maybe its not the good word, I still have to perfect my english), that they only preserve single engine plane ? Because, on the web site, in there mission statement ( http://www.vintagewings.ca/page?s=67&lang=en-CA ) it is written: "At Vintage Wings of Canada it is our mission to acquire, restore, maintain and fly classic aircraft significant to the early history of powered flight. A particular focus is on aircraft of Canadian importance."

I know they only have single engine planes, but is, inside the organisation, they said we will not have multi engine plane(the main reason I see is $$$$$$) or it is only because the occasion to acquire a signifcant multi engine aircraft of Canadian importance has not been there yet?

The DH Mosquito is the perfect exemple of the mission statement: the type was built in Canada, several canadian squadrons and pilots flew it, and a lot of aerial survey for map making was done with in the north of Canada. As a long term project, nobody can ask better, in my opinion, for VWoC.

I understand that you can only speak for yourself and, as you said, not for Mr Potter and VWoC. I also dont want that you take a chance to break the privileged (I hope I use the good word) relation that you seam to have with VWoC by speaking to much... I would like myself to be able to go in this hangar more often that at the open house, but the total of 8 hours drive to go and be back at home is to much to do it more often

Thanks for your answer

Hope to see you again next summer

J-F St-Pierre

As indicated this is not an official statement. Multi engined aircraft are relatively expensive to operate and maintain. VWoC could tell one story with a multi or two stories with two singles. This is distilled down from conversations with staff at VWoC. Another case in point is the Sabre. Although the Sabre is not multiengined it is an example of how one airframe can suck up the resources. More than one project in the VWoC came to a halt progress wise just to get the Sabre back in the air. Things are turning aroiund now that the Sabre is flying. Also, the hangar will be packed with the arrival of the Kittyhawk this year, so taking on any more just won't work.

I hope this answers your questions. I hope I haven't hijacked this thread.

Mike

[Lynn Allen]

Ober, call Rod and tell Brannock you have a project for him and get Bob in on the hangar deal........

Lynn

[peter]

Does anyone know how the meeting went last night in Calgary? I see two good options for the mosquito, either it goes to the Nanton group who have the space and volunteers to undertake the restoration or the Calgary Mosquito group who would also be able to undertake the restoration of the aircraft.

[M MAKI]

I was able to attend the first hour of tonights meeting in Calgary. It took some spirited winter driving to make it happen! I was somewhat surprised that it was more of an open house then a meeting. We were all asked to complete a brief questionaire. We were asked;
If the city could come up with sufficient funds should both aircraft be restored and remain in Calgary?
Should one be sold to finance the restoration of the other? If so which one should be sold? Should both be sold?
If funds are not available should both aircraft be donated to another Canadian museum rather than remaining in storage?
If restoration work is to be done should it be cosmetic (not historically correct) static or flyable?
Should restoration work be completed by qualified volunteers or pay professionals?
And finally rate the importance of;
- The final geographical location of the aircraft.
- The impact restoration funds may have on the city's budget

In my opinion the turn out was strong. The parking lot was full. All of the people I spoke to were of the CORRECT opinion. So that is good. Unfortunately I left with no idea of what is going to happen. City council will review all of the questionaires and take them into consideration when they make a decision.

After all this talk tonight I have realized, Again, that I need a Merlin!

[Yak 11 Fan]

Oh???? so what is the CORRECT opinion???