Prototypes worth modelling-The De Havilland Mosquito.

**wonwinglo** · 28-09-2004

The De Havilland Mosquito lends itself to various types of flying model which are outlined below,the appeal of this sleek for its day aircraft have long fascinated aeromodellers and if tackled correctly a successful model can be built up,as with any twin design the assymetric aspect of loosing any one engine in flight must be considered so fit only your best and most reliable powerplants for utter reliability.
Above all do not be tempted to overpower your Mossie,the torque effect of one engine pulling to one side spells disaster so just allow enough to get her down on one engine should need be.
When contemplating such a model you can either go straight into the fully built up design or as a starting point why not first build a flying profile design ?from which to learn about how she flies and also to iron out any bugs along the way,such models act as a useful learning curve and provide a stepping stone to the super detailed one planned.
Sadly we have been robbed of the chance to see a flying Mosquito in British skies because the only one flying was written off a few years ago,however examples still exist in museums from which detailed notes and photographs can be taken,the actual all yellow prototype still exists at Salisbury hall where De Havillands built and test flew the first one in total secrecy,one is also in the R.A.F Museum at Hendon and another exists at the Imperial war museum collection at Duxford.
Getting back to the model plans are available for a control line model in the old APS range which I think now comes under the Nexus banner ? this particular model is well worth the time and effort in putting her together and is very accurate in shape and planform.
If your interests take you towards a radio control example then Bryan Taylor does plans for such a machine,all of Bryans plans are very well drawn and are practical flying models because that is the way he builds them.
I hope that these notes have given you some inspiration to give this subject a go for what was one of the finest twin engined aircraft in service for its time in the R.A.F.

**Bluewavestudios** · 28-09-2004

I remember the last full size flying one Barry, used to be a very regular sight over here along the North Wales coast and very distinctive when you heard it, It used to be kept at BAE in Broughton about 30 miles from here.
Like you said, sadly is not with us anymore, I was saddened when I read the news that it had crashed.

Regards..........Mark.

**wonwinglo** · 28-09-2004

And she had undergone an extensive overhaul only a short time before as well Bluewave,all of the fabric work had been replaced at great cost,the multi millionaire Kermit Weeks purchased the other airworthy example for his Fantasy of flight museum in Florida,this was the sister machine to the British aerospace example,all of which were used in the classic film '633 Squadron' and the not so well known one 'Mosquito squadron'
The only reason we had these extant was because in the fifties the Civilian aircraft co-operation unit at Exeter used the last ones in service,they were used to tow target drogues for the AA guns to practise on,gradually they were retired and ended up in museums.

**Bluewavestudios** · 04-10-2004

and here is a fine example....This pic taken by me at Woodvale many years ago (same time as I took the Sunderland Pic posted elsewhere on here) This beauty had two 4 stroke engines fitted and I saw her flying too, looked brilliant in flight and those 4 strokes sounded soooooo nice.

You can get an idea of size with the Old Volvo 740 Estate parked next to it.

Regards.................Mark

**wonwinglo** · 04-10-2004

This could be the Bryan Taylor example ? believe it was shown flying on Super models ?

**Bluewavestudios** · 06-10-2004

Not sure if it was Brian Taylor's model, the best thing I remember about this one was it was flying around and good ole DB announced that there was a spitfire coming to join it, everyone thought it would be a model spitfire so looked straight away......The Spitfire was a real one and the mossie was in the air for a brief time with it before having to land (For the Spitfire display) ...The Spitfire did it's brief aerial display and then disappeared......I have got pics of this somewhere and will post them up when I find them.

Regards.........Mark

Phoenix · 07-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluewavestudios

and here is a fine example....This pic taken by me at Woodvale many years ago (same time as I took the Sunderland Pic posted elsewhere on here) This beauty had two 4 stroke engines fitted and I saw her flying too, looked brilliant in flight and those 4 strokes sounded soooooo nice.

You can get an idea of size with the Old Volvo 740 Estate parked next to it.

Regards.................Mark

cool dude i been to woodvale a couple of time myself went this year

duncan · 07-10-2004

We have coincidence here. We recently discussed the German pre war Zauknoenig "Wren" and the Luton Minor as suitable prototypes. The latest edition of Fly Past Magazine has the perfect solution in the shape of the Gowland "Jenny Wren" ,it even uses a Luton Minor wing ! Very pretty shape. See page 16 in Fly Past,Nov 2004 edition. What you think Wonwing ?

**wonwinglo** · 08-10-2004

Thanks Duncan for bringing this to my attention,what a co-incidence as you say ! I was recently informed that after the death of the owner of the Jenny Wren it had been presented to a museum for preservation,although she is in a sorry state she will be loveingly restored in memory of the designer/builder.
Basically a Luton Minor with a cockpit she was designed in the days when the CAA were a little more tolerant of conversions,if you do a bit of research look up 'Luton Major' a design reincarnated by a certain Mr Arthur-Orde-Hume who built these 'enlarged models' in the loft of his home on the Isle of Wight,the simularity is there to be seen.
Whilst on the subject compare the Veron Cardinal with the Jenny Wren.

duncan · 08-10-2004

! I was recently informed that after the death of the owner of the Jenny Wren it had been presented to a museum for preservation,......... Whilst on the subject compare the Veron Cardinal with the Jenny Wren.[/quote]
According to report the museum in question is Flixton in Suffolk..worth going to see W.Cmdr Wallis`s father`s early monoplane and a lot more. Agree about Cardinal, who copied who ?