First step for a long voyage to the US

[Dave Homewood]

bdk, you can only fly it from the left hand seat, it's a fighter bomber version, not a trainer.

[Dave Homewood]

DaveG, I had heard all the wonderful descriptions of the Mossie and had talked with a lot of veterans about them before I first got to see KA114 fly. And I have to admit that athough i was really quite excited about the idea of seeing it in the air after the long, long rebuild, actually seeing it flying was a thrill that completed exceeded all expectations by at least tenfold. It is such an overwhelmingly powerful aircraft to watch, the emotions go into total overload. The sight, the sound, the history, the craftsmanship, all phenominal.

At the Ardmore airshows and at Wings Over Wairarapa the display caused a complete silenced hush in the crowd, followed by many grown men and women with tears rolling down their cheeks after the displays. Despite their huge place in history and their much admired character in the warbird scene, I have never seen a Spitifre or Mustang or Hurricane yet have such an affect on an airshow audience. Maybe in the USA there won't be quite the same connection as felt here, the mix of pride for our veterans who flew Mossies and our hugely skilled folk who made one fly again. But I hope that at least some of the Mossie Magic rubs off on the US audiences.

So I reckon you are going to absolutely love it. It's a shame you guys won't get to see the masters Keith and Dave displaying it. There's just nobody better than those two guys imho.

[Steve Nelson]

Fantistic! Really looking forward to seeing her in Hamilton in a few weeks.

I notice she doesn't have the oval FOD screens over the carb intakes. I thought these were standard equipment, like on the Lanc. Seems like they'd be especially necessary operating off grass.

SN

[HPDCapt]

Thanks so much for the pictures VaBeachEd. Please keep them coming. I plan to be there next month!!

[BK]

Mossie first flight at her home scheduled for Friday May 3 0745 - 0800 take- off weather permitting.

[David J Burke]

There is no other sight or sound of a Mosquito in full song ! I recommend that anyone who gets a chance make the effort to see her in the air - Jerry Yagen has given you a great gift in paying so you can see a flying Mosquito !

[DH82EH]

A couple of years ago Mr Yagen showed up at Geneseo with the Dragon Rapide. I was the first person at the door of the aircraft and I said "Mr Yagen, I would like to thank you for sharing your excellent collection of aeroplanes (yes you heard me, aeroplanes! ) with us here at Geneseo. He quickly beamed a smile and said "Oh, thank you!"

I would like to use this Internet forum to say "Mr Yagen, thank you for playing such a major role in returning this extremely beautiful, important and significant piece of aviation engineering brilliance back to the forefront of attention." No finer history lesson could be told than to see, hear and feel this marvelous aeroplane fly past.

Thanks to all for the updates and photos. All the best for safe test flying!

Andy Scott

[Dave Homewood]

That beautiful de Havilland DH89 Rapide was also rebuilt by the highly skilled guys at Avspecs, just like the Mosquito. it is surely without doubt the best example of the type anywhere, flying or static, in my opinion. I am looking forward to photos of the DH89 and DH98 sitting together again, like they did in the Avspecs hangar while both under rebuild.

[ErrolC]

While we wait for first-US-flight photos, here is the Rapide in question in NZ


Wanaka2010_7582f by errolgc, on Flickr

Discussion on rego oddity as displayed at http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthre ... lies-again

[HPDCapt]

I imagine you are sick of hearing us ask but if anyone is there for the first, or any, flight, pictures please!!!!
I met Mr, Yagen the first time I attended the show in 2009. He was very friendy and gracious.

[JBrawner]

there will be pictures tomorrow, i promise... maybe some video. and the guys from avspec(who are going to be at chino) are going to get the rapide,mossie and the p-40 together for a shot(maybe for their facebook page of the trio of planes they have worked on for us. after tomorrow ill be doing this(its been a long 3 weeks for us to hurry and get this together and get in the air....

[Dave Homewood]

That will be great to see the three Avspecs-restored aircraft together. Awesome!

Best of luck to all involved for a trouble-free first flight.

[Liza]

Waiting for her first US flight tomorrow.

[VaBeachEd]

Too windy and from the wrong direction this morning.

Looks like they're going to try again tomorrow. Come on, Mother Nature! Give us a break!!

And as long as we're talking about weather, how about nice winds and no rain for the Airshow - 17-19 May, and the June 1st Flying Proms!!!!! Please??

[Liza]

Correct. The flight was called off due to the crosswinds. They plan to try again tomorrow, but winds may be a factor again. Looks like Sunday might be the day.