Mosquito NZ2308 to fly at Avspecs

[chrisr]

When was the last time there were two Mosquito's with running engines in NZ? Surely the 1950's.

[ErrolC]

More photos at nzcivair
nzcivair.blogspot.com/2024/02/mosquito-zk-pwlnz2308-engine-runs-at.html

[Deleted]

Absolutely wonderful to see and hear!

[ErrolC]

Hangar doors open this morning at AvSpecs.

Mosquito ZK-PWL at AvSpecs by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[FlyingKiwi]

The Mozzie looks stunning! I wish that Sabre could find a proper home, it doesn't look great with the weeds growing up around it there.

[Antonio]

Mar 10, 2024 12:03:49 GMT 12 FlyingKiwi said:

The Mozzie looks stunning! I wish that Sabre could find a proper home, it doesn't look great with the weeds growing up around it there.

And the HORRIBLE roundel

[l29]

Tried to buy it a couple of times. Radio silence

[ErrolC]

Getting back on topic...

I'm told the Mossie taxied to its spot outside NZ Warbirds Hangar 2 (and back home later). However it was towed to it's spot for the engine run.

Mossie Move by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Firing Up! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[baz62]

This may already have been discussed but the Air Force Museum posted some photos of NZ2308 from their archives. I noticed on a nice clear side view of the starboard side that she had 6 exhaust stubs instead of 5 (for those going huh? the rear most exhaust stack was a two into one due to heat issues )
As she as an Australian built aircraft I wonder if this is why?

[ErrolC]

Mar 17, 2024 11:14:49 GMT 12 baz62 said:

This may already have been discussed but the Air Force Museum posted some photos of NZ2308 from their archives. I noticed on a nice clear side view of the starboard side that she had 6 exhaust stubs instead of 5 (for those going huh? the rear most exhaust stack was a two into one due to heat issues )
As she as an Australian built aircraft I wonder if this is why?

Thanks for causing the interesting deep dive! Normally only later variants with the longer two-stage Merlins fitted had six stubs per side. This lead me to hunt around looking at Merlin variants used on AU-built Mossies. But then I saw this comment in a forum post (and the reason for the five stacks being the lack of space on the inboard side due to radiators rather than heat issues is important).

www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234976053-i-didnt-realise-that-the-dh-mosquito/&do=findComment&comment=1886391

The requirement for the rear two exhaust ports to be joined into one exhaust is not influenced by the proximity of the wooden wing structure. The problem exists on the inboard side of the each engine installation. There [physically] is no room for a single exhaust stack at the rear inboard location on the engine due to the engine oil cooler encroaching into the space where a single exhaust stack would need to be. The design of the engine coolant radiator and oil cooler installation in the leading edge of the wing between the fuselage shell and the engine uses the maximum available space, hence the requirement for the two into one exhaust stack. Not sure why it was decided to have the two into one exhaust stack at the rear on the outboard side of the engine installations but it appears it may not of been necessary. The exhaust gases are happily directed away under the wing with six stacks. There seem to have been a number of Australian built single stage Merlin engine Mosquitoes operated with the outboard side six exhaust stack configuration.
Joe

Also see shots from the delivery of the first batch of Mosquitoes to the RNZAF with a mix of 5 and 6 stack outer sides.

[baz62]

Thanks Errol a fascinating bit of Mosquito exhaust history!

[camtech]

I see Steve Hinton has arrived in NZ prior to test flying NZ2308/ZK-PWL.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2024 19:10:54 GMT 12 camtech said:

I see Steve Hinton has arrived in NZ prior to test flying NZ2308/ZK-PWL.

[ErrolC]

After a short taxi plus engine runs this morning, it looks like we are ON.
Wind fresh but SW.

And Airborne at 3:24.

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

Looks like it is on approach to land.

[ErrolC]

And landed at 3.37.

[Dave Homewood]

Huge congratulations to Wal Denholm and all the Avspecs Ltd. team, and the Mosquito Aircraft Restoration team, plus owners Rod Lewis and Charles Somers. And well done to the test pilot Steve Hinton!

[Deleted]

Hear hear! Congratulations to everyone involved! What wonderful news to start the week!

[dazz]

Excellent news! It must be incredibly rewarding for those craftsmen who've spent years rebuilding her, long may she fly! I hope Wal puts on a few beers for the team tonight ;-)