The Mosquito Fund

[Dave Homewood]

Hi Guys,

I just checked in to see how well the fund was doing to raise the finances to get Jerry Yagen's magnificent de Havilland DH98 Mosquito FB.26 to Airventure at Oshkosh this year.

I see the fund is still very low, with less than one-third of the projected target raised so far, and there's only ten days left to try to make the target. This is sad to see and quite staggering, the opportunity for people in America to see this wonderful warbird at the world's greatest airshow is something that should be heartily supported.

If they cannot raise the cash to take the aircraft across country then the half a million people who attend the airshow will miss the opportunity to not only see one of the finest warbird rebuilds in the world - the restoration the "experts" reckoned could never be done - but they'll also miss out on seeing, hearing and smelling one of WWII's most amazing pieces of history.

I don't know if Americans are fully aware of the importance of this aircraft in the Second World War. They were probably the most significant aircraft type of the war. They were certainly a major contributor in turning the tide of the war towards the Allies' favour, bigtime.

Designed as a private venture originally, and built with an airframe made from wood (spruce and balsa) rather than metal, the Mosquito proved from the start it was a winner. It was designed as a long range, very fast bomber, in a time when no-one had anything like that. It originally had no armament because it simply wasn't needed, the Mosquito could outrun all the opposing fighters. Later in the war they even were known to outrun Me262's.

The airframe proved so versatile the Mosquito was adapted from just the bomber role to become a fighter-bomber for ground attack; an escort fight (day and night); both an intruder and defensive night fighter; the war's best photo reconnaissance aircraft; high speed passenger transport; the preferred Pathfinders target marker; also the OBOE equipped marker ship; anti shipping aircraft with Coastal Command; some even had big artillery type cannons fitted into them for special shipping strikes; they were used in other special operations and special units too, and No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron had a flight of Mossies to low level mark their targets with high precision at night.

The Mosquito revolutionised the bombing campaign, going further with bigger bombloads and much higher speed, and much less risk with just two crew, than any of the other twin-engined bombers, and a lot of the four engined aircraft. Much fewer were lost to enemy action, and the aircraft gave the Allies the upper hand they needed. They were so good even the USAAF used them!

This is a very important aircraft type, without doubt. And this is a very important warbird, without doubt. It deserves being seen and appreciated by the big crowds of Oshkosh, so more people can learn about the aircraft, and see and hear its awesome power and beauty. Just hearing the Mosquito fly nice and low by is breathtaking. Such a sight is so rare nowadays.

I have had the wonderful privilege of seeing KA114 flying,and seen it displayed beautifully by two of the world's greatest pilots. I know how darn good it is. I won't be at Oshkosh, but I know a lot of you will be there. I'd really like to see the aircraft make it there. You can help, by donating a little something to the cause, here, and helping them make the dream come true:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help ... 015#/story

The team has a lot planned too if they can get the aircraft to the airshow. Daily engine runs and daily displays. People can buy the opportunity to sit in the aircraft while the engines are being run up - now that is such a rare, fantastic opportunity right there! To hear more about this project to try to get the Mosquito to Airventure, have a listen to Warren Denholm of Avspecs talking about their plans in my last WONZ Live show on Warbird Radio.
http://www.warbirdradio.com/2015/06/the ... episode-5/

[Tim Savage]

Dave:

I am sure most aviation enthusiasts are aware of the significance of the airplane.

I am also aware that for several years Mr. Yagen has refused to take the airplane to Airventure without being paid. Despite the fact that no one else who takes their historic airplanes to OSH get's paid....and I would argue that other aircraft that are just as significant historically have come at their owner's own nickle.

I am sure that has more to do with why people aren't supporting it than anything else. I know it does for me.

[Dave Homewood]

I'm not interested in the politics behind it Tim, I am just trying to raise awareness of this because a lot of people probably think that because the EAA put it on their website that it's guaranteed as coming - but it probably won't if the money is not raised.

I'd personally really like to see it get there so that the team who put in all the work to restoring it get to show it off to a much wider audience than it has enjoyed till now, and have their skills and hard work admired, and hopefully rewarded. That is why it is them, not the owner, trying to raise the cash!

[Baldeagle]

But the cash raised will then go to the owner, who can easily afford to send the Mosquito on his own nickel, but chooses not too, which is certainly his right. Tim has nailed it, I wouldn't call it politics, just the way it is.
Avspecs deserve every accolade they've received and more, and it would be a shame if it doesn't go to Oshkosh, but Jerry has no obligation to send it there, and I'd rather spend my money on flying my own historic airplane there.
I wonder if a more workable approach might be to find one or two corporate sponsors who could use it as advertising, but too late for that now I guess.


-

[Dan K]

But the cash raised will then go to the owner, who can easily afford to send the Mosquito on his own nickel, but chooses not too, which is certainly his right. Tim has nailed it, I wouldn't call it politics, just the way it is.
Avspecs deserve every accolade they've received and more, and it would be a shame if it doesn't go to Oshkosh, but Jerry has no obligation to send it there...

-

Ditto that.

[Rhino-9-3]

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/features-and-attractions/airventure-highlights/~/link.aspx?_id=8E6CF65E78FA46AEAC5D386C07AD1A66&_z=z

[maxum96]

But the cash raised will then go to the owner, who can easily afford to send the Mosquito on his own nickel, but chooses not too, which is certainly his right. Tim has nailed it, I wouldn't call it politics, just the way it is.

Double Ditto.


The way I see it, it's no different than if I started a crowd funding site to raise money to attend Oshkosh. I can afford to go, but since they won't pay me, I will ask for donations. Do you plan to kick in to my fund?

[BK]

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/features-and-attractions/airventure-highlights/~/link.aspx?_id=8E6CF65E78FA46AEAC5D386C07AD1A66&_z=z

Within days of announcing the fund drive EAA put out this release that makes no mention of required funding only saying that the Mossie "will" be there. Only half way through the article does it mention "Proceeds from those experiences (cockpit tours, run up sit-ins) will help fund the airplane’s historic trip to Oshkosh, plus continuing operation and maintenance." Again, that reads the plane will be there, these will help differ costs. If in fact the only way the plane will be there is through the fund drive, then that should have been the headline and first paragraph of the article.

[DH82EH]

I'm not going to Osh., but I did pony up for a T-shirt.

Andy

[Zac Yates]

Same here, Andy.

Like Dave I'm all for the Mosquito being seen by more people - especially at Oshkosh - but I had completely forgotten about the other side to the story and as a result it didn't at all factor into my decision to contribute.

[CoastieJohn]

Does the Mosquito have a higher than normal flt cost per hour than other planes in similar categories? I'm trying look at both sides of the discussion.

[Dave Homewood]

But the cash raised will then go to the owner

My understanding is it will actually go to the fuel vendor, not the owner. The aircraft chews up a lot of 'gas' and oil per hour, I seem to recall being told when it was here it was around $1200 per hour to operate.

[Dave Homewood]

Does the Mosquito have a higher than normal flt cost per hour than other planes in similar categories? I'm trying look at both sides of the discussion.

It must surely be comparable to the cost of operating two Mustangs or two Spitfires, no small change! Then there is insurance too... How much does it cost to insure something so rare?

[maxum96]

But the cash raised will then go to the owner

My understanding is it will actually go to the fuel vendor, not the owner. The aircraft chews up a lot of 'gas' and oil per hour, I seem to recall being told when it was here it was around $1200 per hour to operate.

Um, same thing as it going to the owner. It's just saving Mr. Yagen from writing that check to his local av-gas supplier.

[hang the expense]

He spent his money to have the plane rebuilt which employed people to perform the build and it wasn't cheap and has paved the way for more mossies to be rebuilt.I would pay to see the airplane and if he wants the plane to have the cost covered good for him.We should be tickled that a mossie flies again after all the years since the last one flew.Just my opinion and its a darn good one.