Australia's last flying Mosquito?

[Dave Homewood]

When was the last flight of a de Havilland Mosquito in Australia? And where and which aircraft? Is it still around now?

[AussieBob]

It could be A52-600
www.aussiemossie.asn.au/index_files/Page1595.htm

and more info here;
www.mossie.org/A52-600.htm

Last flew in 1947 to become a ground based training aid. It's now in dedicated restoration but at one stage it wasn't looking so good;

From Mossie.org; "In 1957 A52-600 was purchased by Mr. E. Vollaire, a Mildura orchardist, who intended to use the aircraft as a wind machine mounted on a turntable, its idling engines blowing air through the fruit trees in order to avoid frost damage on cold nights. Due to difficulties in transporting the aircraft, Mr. Vollaire cut off the wings either side of the fuselage and severed the tail section by cutting through the rear fuselage. The plan to use A52-600 as a wind machine was not proceeded with and the airframe was left dismantled amongst the fruit trees, the fuselage being used as a play house by his children."

[shorty]

What was the one I saw displayed next to a Lancaster at Perth airport in late 65? Would that have been a RAAF example? Although both of the aircraft were out on open display the Mossie looked complete.
which makes me think it flew after 1947.
Picture here
rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/17636/photos-stash?page=1#page=47

[Peter Lewis]

TTA 321hrs - they certainly were not built with long-term durability in mind.

[Dave Homewood]

According to adf.serials Mosquito FB.40 A52-197 "21/09/54 Ferried to Sydney via Sarong and Darwin. Stored at Camden and last flown in late 1954."

so is that the last flyer in that country?

[ron]

There was one still flying in Jan 1957

VH-WWS

Regards
Ron

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Ron.