Warbird Information Exchange

Found it here:
http://www.770chqr.com/news/news_local. ... _local.cfm

I don't think they've ever really done any work on that airplane, so it's better off getting sold. I was there in 95 and 99 and the plane was exactly the same on both visits. Perhaps something was done since then, as obviously my last visit was 8 years ago, but I doubt it.

John

I thinks most likely this will be protested from one end of the country to the other.
Here in Canada, we have a Historical/Cultural Properties legislation that prevents historical artifacts from being taken out of the country.
It can happen but only after Canadian Groups or Museums have had a chance to aquire the artifact. The Toronto Connie is a great example of what happens.
Personally, I don't think it should be allowed to leave seeing as it was built here and we also have a history with these a/c.
On the other side of the coin though, if no one here is willing to care for it or restore it , then better it go to someone who will.
Either way it would be nice to see who ever gets it restore it back to flying condition.
It will be interesting to see what happens.

Fleet16b

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...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

I have mixed thoughts about this one.

The mosquito is my favourite airplane of all time. I want it to stay in Canada because this specific airplane served with the RCAF, and later with Spartan Airways in Canada... If I remember correctly.

Then, at the same time, I would love to see her fly. Being in Calgary and not having much work done on it gives me little confidence that it will be restored any time soon. So, I am pretty certain that if sent to England, it will return to the air very soon. And, who wouldn't want to see a Mossie take to the air again.

I can undertand the situation the museum is in though, because running a museum is not easy, and if you're sitting on $1.5 million in an airplane that you don't expect to restore anytime soon, it's as if not even having it. $1.5 million can do a lot for a museum. I see their motives.

I'm also worried that if the airplane were to be protected under Canada's heritage legislation, there won't be a museum in Canada that could raise that kind of money. I even doubt that if all the air museums in Canada were to put their money together, it wouldn't be enough.

By the way... I know there are a lot of airframe issues with the "Wooden Wonder" with regards to structural fatigue. Does CF-HMS any of these issues or is it a good candidate to fly again?

Cheers,

David

Disgusting...utterly and totally disgusting... A dark day for vintage aircraft preservation in this country...

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Cheers,
Peter

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Three questions:

1) Who is the new owner?
2) Is it going to be restored to flying condition?
3) What kind of condition is it in and can it be restored to flying condition?

Last time I saw it it was in a dismantled and poor condition.
Just found some pics here..
http://www.mossie.org/images/RS700/Jeff_Robinson/Mosquito_Center_wing_sec.jpg

http://www.mossie.org/images/RS700/Jeff_Robinson/Mosquito_Calgary_Museum.jpg

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Cheers,
Peter

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I have no opinion on the fate of this specific aircraft, but some general points.

1. Looking at the global picture, the world generally benefits from free trafficking in historical artifacts, just as it benefits from free trade in other areas. Resources like this Mosquito are permitted to go to those who value them the most highly and will most likely invest in their preservation/restoration. More things end up restored and displayed.

2. However, just like with free trade, looking at the big picture obscures the fact that some countries end up winners and others end up losers, even though the world as a whole benefits. Good examples are Egypt and other sites of ancient civilizations that lost a lot of antiquities to rich developed countries without ever getting very much in return.

3. So the question is, is Canada a net winner or loser if free trade in indigenous historic aircraft is permitted? My feeling is, it's a winner. Many of the same people who will decry the loss of this Mosquito are quite happy at the influx of Mustangs and Spitfires into Canada from their own countries of origin. Canada is a rich country on a per-capita basis and has plenty of well-off people who can buy back its artifacts. According to an authoritative source I recently checked (an Entertainment Tonight profile of the richest women in entertainment), Ms. Celene Dion alone can afford approximately 166 of these Mosquitos at a cost of $1.5M each (which I suspect of being inflated).

So I would say, as a Canadian, it will be a tough break if we lose this one, but (1) our own fault and (2) the price we pay for the same system that has given us a lot more wonderful airplanes than we have lost.

August

Disgusting?

Well North America will be getting its flying Mosquito within the next couple of years I would suggest.

http://www.warbirdrestoration.co.nz/mos ... ber07.html

If this transaction goes through, we in the UK will have the potential to see a Mosquito back in the air, so sorely missed after the crash of British Aerospace's RR299. For every 'disgusted' Canadian I'll wager there will be fifty 'delighted' Brits.

PeterA (who has watched many scores of Spitfires depart the UK shores... and welcomed the interchange with non UK manufactured Warbirds.)

I don't see why everyone is so upset about the Mossie leaving Canada. Warbirds come and go to various countries throughout the years. Would a more giving caretaker be better in the interest of the airplane? Would most people rather see a flying Mossie than one in dilapidated and unrestored condition? Even though I live in the U.S., I have absolutely no problem with P-51's, Bearcats, Tigercats, or Corsairs leaving this country for overseas. All have happened in recent years, btw. I am just happy that those airplanes are going to loving homes where they will be properly cared for. I say, let there be unrestricted, free-flowing import and export of warbirds!

Perhaps Ed Russell should send his Spitfire, Hurricane and Bf109 back to their countries of origin, Peter?

When I saw the Mossie in 2000, it was well stored, but totally unrestored. A shame they haven't the resources to do anything with, and I'd wager their first priority is looking after their Lancaster, which has spent many years outside in inclement weather.

Far better it should go somewhere where it will be restored, and release some much-needed funding in the process.

As I mentioned before, I'd like to see the airplane kept in Canada, but I do like the idea of it getting back into the air; and to do so, it may have to leave the country. I think England would be the most appropriate place for a flying Mossie. Then again, it'll probably take a good amount of years to get this one flying after looking at the pictures.

I agree that considering the condition of the airframe and comparing it to the condition that Bob Jenns' Mosquito was in when he got it, this one couldn't be worth more than a million dollars. Mind you I don't know the exact dollar figure that Bob paid for his, from my understanding it wasn't $1.5 million. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

One thing I have to say about airplanes being exported from Canada is that I don't really like it when they carry paint schemes of another nation. The amount of warbirds flying right now in US markings that never flew for the US military, but rather the RCAF is quite high. I don't want to start an argument, just makin' a comment.

I just like to see airplanes wearing what they wore when they were used. But you know, I can shoot holes in my own story here. I am pretty certain there are a lot of foreign airplanes in Canadian museums and owned my Canadian collectors that never served with the RCAF, yet have RCAF markings.

Kudos to all those around the world that preserve airplanes in their original markings.

Anywho, back to work.

Cheers,

David

Plenty of L-39s, Fouga Magisters, Strikemasters and others flying in US Navy marking too...............

Not to hijack the thread, but Yaks and Nanchangs in US markings look ridiculous.

Oh yeah... and I LOVE Mosquitos. And thinking really hard about something Mosquito related to say, I have to ask... how come the majority of Mosquitos that are still around, be it potentially flyable, and non-flyers are almost all bomber versions with the glass nose? I know there are a few fighter versions in existance, but I get the feeling there are a lot more bomber versions left.

Is it because the bomber versions was more useful that the fighter version in post-war civilian use?

Cheers,

David

P.S. I guess I shouldn't complain too much about this Mossie possibly leaving Canada. I have a Mosquito 15 minutes from my house. She'll be flying soon, I hope.

Mike, you took the words right out of my mouth.

However, technically speaking, the Hurricane is already in its country of origin...

greg v.