Sunday at the Mossie Museum

Ahh, the beautiful Mossie. I used to help look after the Mossie at Cosford (TA639) many years ago. I spent many hours on the weekend polishing, cranking the props, sitting in the cockpit and generally fussing around her. I considered it very much an honour to be trusted around such an icon of our history.

When I first started there, a more experienced member of the team told me should could be brought up to airworthyness with some work but they shyed away from it as they were convinced she would then be claimed by the BBMF. Not sure how much of any of that story is true but either way, I would much rather see her in the skies where she belongs than sitting in a museum.

I made a point of visiting her while I was at the airshow there yesterday. It was like meeting up with an old friend and I have to confess, i got a little teary-eyed. I know, I know, I'm just an old softy.

 

After the bustle of last weeks' Mossie Aircrew Signing, things were much quieter today ; giving me the opportunity to photograph some more of the recent progress on the FBVI.



A general view ; note the two pristine Rolls-Royce Merlins....




Last time I mentioned the rare-as-hen's-teeth wheels ; they've gone from this....




....to this....



And here's another example of the workmanship carried out by the Museum's (unpaid) volunteers. This is a complete outer wing leading-edge. As with so much of the work, when the aircraft is finally 'together' and on display - you won't be able to see any of this !




And lastly, here's the view the public love to see....



The 20mm Hispano cannon are still being sought.....

The target for 2010 is to have this aircraft finally sitting on its undercarriage for the first time in 50 years.

 

more super pics Martin. does the museum have it's own book store by chance ? I would still like to find a book on the Mossie 85th squadron if possible, actually any of the Mossie squads connected with 100th grp.: 157th, 239th

 

great pics martin, thanks for the update

 

Great new pics Martin, thanx!!!

 

Time rushes past and I hardly got up to the Mossie Museum at all in 2011 so one of my very few New Year resolutions was to try to put that right.

Drove up today on a very cold Sunday : everything under wraps for the Winter with much to do before re-opening to the public in March. Although it looks as though nothing much has happened, preparations are well in hand to mate the Merlin engines to the FBVI for the first time in 50 years.......







Some nice fundraisers being lined up, too, including another big 'signing' event in the Summer.......

 

Great New-year resolution Martin and nice pictures too. I can't wait till they put the engines on it .

 

Coming along nicely!

 

The hope was to do that and all the fuel lines and electronics are being restored to working condition. Unfortunately, hopes have so far been dashed by the cost of Insurance : seems they're not keen on the idea of running up 2 x 1500bhp Merlins in a wooden aircraft.

Luckily, insurance wasn't a problem in WWII.....

 

Actually did something useful today & removed the early 'saxophone' exhaust manifolds from the 2 x Merlin 25 engines which will shortly be fitted to the FB.VI.

Surprisingly fiddly & couldn't help wondering again what it was like doing such work high up in the air on a cold, windy dispersal in East Anglia......



And...if you're wondering why they were called 'saxophone' exhausts.....................

 

Get lost...thats you taking your flask out of its bag...Martin likes his tea...

 

Great thread! Thank you very much for sharing it with us!

 

Excellent thread!! I was just over at the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association's hanger last weekend to volunteer my services. They are coming along in getting Lanc FM212 back to airworthy condition. As well, they are building a Mossie and, while I was there, we pulled one of the wing skins down to do some sanding. Your pictures are inspiring, Martin.

 

I'm glad you like the thread, Big Daddy - and our best wishes to all at CHAA - the Lancaster alone will be an epic restoration !

 

Exhausts on.......the first time that the correct FB.VI 'five-stub' layout has been seen on a UK Mossie for many years.....



TA122 is looking more complete by the week. We're all very keen to see those Merlins in place....




Today was the first open-to-the-public day of 2012. Do visit if you're in or near London !

 

She's coming along nicely Martin! .....I hope to be visiting a few friends in London during April/May, I'd love to see if I can squeese a visit in!

 

You'll be most welcome, Andy.......

Here's an 'up close and personal' view of something which you won't be able to see when the FB.VI is down on its wheels......



The very nicely-restored internal bomb-release mechanism. This view is toward the tail of the aircraft ; the red objects at the top of the pic are the fuselage fuel-tanks.....

 

An outstanding obituary to Sqd Ldr Charles Patterson, 105 Mosquito Pathfinder Squadron, who passed away in 2008.
Sqd Ldr Charles Patterson - Telegraph


This is the best Video I have seen to date on the Mosquito.
It features Sqd Ldr Charles Patterson's attack on the Phillips radio valve factory at Eindhoven in which he describes the attack in detail.

Please visit http://www.rafbombercommand.com for further information and to support the campaign for a memorial for the 55,000 bomber airmen killed in World War Two.

[video=youtube;SD4Yxbw79wM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD4Yxbw79wM&feature=related[/video]