Any news on NZ collector John Smith aircraft

[DH82EH]

His Mosquito is a real time capsule.
I previously heard it said that there is no way it would be permitted to leave New Zealand.

[marine air]

What’s the condition of those air raft? Are any flyable? Complete or restoration candidates?

[PeterA]

10 April 2006.





PeterA

[Joe Scheil]

An interesting Mosquito, though the building looks less than sturdy. I may be mistaken but this aircraft is not a candidate for flight as the airframe was cut for transport years ago. This one is static only.

The “patina” of the cockpit appears superb...

Last edited by Joe Scheil on Sat Nov 30, 2019 5:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[avenger2504]

I may be mistaken but this aircraft is not a candidate for flight as the airframe was cut for transport years ago. This one is static only.

Correct. Both wings and fuselage were cut. Also when they got her she had been mostly stripped out internally by the Air Force and over the years parts collected to return her to mainly complete condition internally but in some cases some parts aren't correct for this particular Mosquito. I've heard that the collection is staying with the family at least for now.

[ErrolC]

Well the identity is available, but need to remove all the fittings. refurbish/replace as required, and fit to new fuselage/wings. Would certainly be more original than The People's Mosquito's prospective example.

[Zac Yates]

There have been many rumours over the years as to what would happen to John's collection after he passed, tall tales and outlandish suggestions. I'm as eager as anyone to hear what will happen - all my life I've wanted to visit and get to know John - but there's nothing for it but to wait.

And I recalled that they said there would be no more Mossie restored to flight its three and counting nothing that man has built can be rebuilt by man remember that.

I don't completely understand your comment, to clarify there are three that have flown from Glyn Powell's facility and two still in the workshop as candidates to fly: Glyn's own T.43 NZ2308 (earmarked for the Mosquito Pathfinder Trust in the UK) and the B.IV DZ542. Who knows what else is in the workshop's collection of spares and components.