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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 24, 2012 21:57:25 GMT 12
yes Bill did mention Palmerston north from memory, and thanks for that Peter, that's the one Bill flew in. He was the last kiwi to fly in a NZ-based Mosquito (soon that long record will be broken)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 3, 2012 17:52:45 GMT 12
Here is a message from Ray Deerness regarding this topic:
"On reading the Forum, I've been interested in some of the comments about the civil Mosquitos. I've had a look at some of the worldwide websites and I believe the information is wrong in saying that all aircraft were scrapped at Palmerston North. Back in the 1960's I was given a lot of aircraft register information by Joe Deans from Hastings and he was usually 100% correct with his information. The two aircraft ZK-BCU/NZ2383 and ZK-BCX/NZ2386 were scapped at Dunedin (Taieri?) as they had defective spars and were not flown north. I have reason to believe this is correct as I have never seen any photos of these two aircraft. I have contact prints of the others.
They were all registered to Aircraft Supplies Ltd on 02 Sep 1953 and cancelled on 09 May 1957 except for ZK-BCV (N9909F) which was cancelled on 14 May 1955. Regards, Ray"
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Post by normnz on Oct 3, 2012 18:12:47 GMT 12
Interesting!! I was at Whenuapai round 55 after an Electrical Mechanics course and as I recall we watched - I thought it was 2 - Mosquitos do a flyover on their way to the States. Could another one have gone with BCV
Norm
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Post by eieio on Oct 3, 2012 19:20:23 GMT 12
Is there any info/storey about how the mozz' got to Central road, Lower Moutere and Riwaka,was there a connection to John Smith's specimen.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 3, 2012 19:33:18 GMT 12
The two aircraft ZK-BCU/NZ2383 and ZK-BCX/NZ2386 were scapped at Dunedin (Taieri?) as they had defective spars and were not flown north. On reflection, I'd say that's probably right. The photos I have were taken at the time by a Manawatu resident, and do not include these two aircraft - probably because they were not there. as I have never seen any photos of these two aircraft. I have contact prints of the others. Ed Coats site shows photos said to be of these two: ZK-BCU ZK-BCX However - it may be significant that these two registrations are partily obscured, unlike the other Mosquitos he shows. Perhaps someone is fudging history here?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 3, 2012 19:59:57 GMT 12
I find it interesting that everyone seems to refer to six aircraft but Bill Rolfe told me his father bought eight. Were the other two used as parts sources and not registered? What happened to them?
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gfm
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 8
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Post by gfm on Oct 3, 2012 20:21:43 GMT 12
The Clarke family still have at least 0ne complete Merlin, currently on display in a local museum, (previously in the Queenstown museum), and when I attended a clearing sale on the property a few years ago, there were cylinder heads, crankcase,props, etc in a lean-to shed, somewhat wx beaten(and not for sale). I do not know if these belong to the mosquito or were obtained separately.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 3, 2012 20:49:19 GMT 12
NZ2302 and NZ2304 (both ex-RAAF Mosquito T Mk.III) are recorded as being sold to Rolfe Industries ex-Ohakea April 1953 and then scrapped.
This would make up the eight.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 3, 2012 21:32:37 GMT 12
Balance of the aircraft: ZK-BCT ex-NZ2381 at Milson ZK-BCW ex-NZ2385 at Milson ZK-BCY ex-NZ2387 at Milson
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Post by harvard1041 on Oct 3, 2012 22:36:55 GMT 12
Of those scrapped in Blenheim ( I recall a photo Shorty posted on here of cowls etc sitting down by the river ? ) - various parts & enignes ended up around town. Anthony Chater had a fair bit of stuff out at his sheds and Pete Coleman also has at least 4 Merlin 25s and various parts / cowls. At one stage I had two Merlin 25s ( ex Pete Coleman ) but they went to Glynn Powell in Auckland about 20 years back - best place for them.
Also from Blenheim, I think, were the two Merlin powerplants ( frames, accys etc etc ) on the recent flying Mossie which at one stage were owned by a fellow out the back of Ardmore ( Dutch fella whose name escapes me - saw them in about 1990 ) but sold to Australia - and subsequently re-found by Wal Denholm and his team and overhauled then installed.
Glynn has done a pretty good job finding / trading etc Mossie parts for the last 20 years + and will be a great day when his one flys.
Rgds Hvd1041
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 3, 2012 22:44:24 GMT 12
John Antanovich is the guy that had the engines, sold them to Aussie and then helped get them back, I believe. I met him at Avspecs the other day. He has some great old photos which he said he'll send me to place on the forum.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 3, 2012 22:46:10 GMT 12
How many Mosquitoes ended up in the Nelson/Mapua/Moutere orchards as frost blowers? Along with the various Mustang Merlins....
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Post by ZacYates on Oct 13, 2012 19:05:20 GMT 12
Pics have surfaced of PZ474/ZK-BCV in open storage at Chino. Click at your peril, it ain't pretty: www.mossie.org/PZ474.htm
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Post by TS on Oct 13, 2012 19:14:13 GMT 12
WOW that is not pretty anyone for a syndicate??
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Post by ZacYates on Oct 15, 2012 7:23:48 GMT 12
wasapilot, you read my mind. Surely enough there for Glyn and Wal et al to work from!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 15, 2012 8:45:48 GMT 12
Unraveling the ownership trail and getting clear title would appear to be one of the biggest challenges.
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Post by TS on Oct 15, 2012 20:43:02 GMT 12
So what are we talking here??
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 15, 2012 20:46:19 GMT 12
Read the link
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Post by ZacYates on Oct 16, 2012 9:54:55 GMT 12
Quite right Peter. I've been in touch with another gent in the US, Jim Dearborn, who has the engine and remains of PR.34 RG300 and possibly another aircraft, so projects are out there.
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Post by ZacYates on Oct 17, 2012 10:07:00 GMT 12
Read this online: "However Aircraft Supplies went into liquidation in December 1955 and the receivers were instructed by the American firm to sell the aircraft. A Member of Parliament at the time, Mr Hayman, who had conducted a campaign to have a Mosquito preserved as an historical item by the RNZAF, purchased two of the companies aircraft that remained at Woodbourne (NZ2355 and NZ2328).
"This suggestion of the RNZAF retaining an example was officially rejected in June 1956. One wonders what the staff of the RNZAF museum would make of that decision today!!"
One indeed wonders!
And out of personal curiosity I'm making inquiries as to the owners of PZ474/NZ2384/ZK-BCV.
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