Warbird Information Exchange

Mosquitoes were also glued with two different glues, initially organic casein glue, and later this was replaced by "Aerolite", a synthetic urea-formaldehyde adhesive. IIRC related to my conversations with people restoring or maintaining Mosquitoes, the casein glue, if properly used and then protected has a potential long and effective life, whereas the urea-formaldehyde will crystallise and lose its mechanical strength. We have more effective modern adhesives than either now, and at least one (non-airworthy) Mosquito rebuild is using West System epoxy.

A few notes on Mossies.

The tests that we had done on TA634 can be easily replicated elsewhere. They showed, essentially that she was in good condition, but could not fly again without significant replacement of structure. Our licensed engineer then spent a couple of years learning the Mosquito in depth, and concluded that he wouldnt fly an aeroplane on original wood and glue - however well preserved it was. He is strongly of the opinion that KA114 is the way to go if you want to fly a Mossie.

There is plenty of documentation available - you just need to know where to look. I got hold of a copy of the Swedish illustrated parts catalogue, and passed it around interested parties. Its absolutely invaluable. All of the RAF docs are available at a price from the RAF Museum amongst others.

Parts are not as common as P51, but they are around - its a question of how hard you look. I could put my hand on a lot of stuff quite easily.

You may be interested to know that the volunteers at the de Havilland Museum recently dismantled the original prototype for conservation works. That too is in very good order, and its quite amazing how similar it is to the later production aircraft. They really got it right first time!



Bruce

Its kinda like picking your favorite Beatles song.