Restoration Mosquito B.35 VR.796/CF-HML - January 2011

[cwmc]

All of the wood degradation is well known on an anecdotal level, at least. Wood airframes are restored using original timbers all of the time. No checking on the ends, not too dry, fibres smooth, etc. Glue is an issue on some airplanes due to their care. Mosquitoes usually had very bad care. Staggerwings often had good care, some even better care for example. Wings on the Beech's are repaired sometimes, and others replaced with all new wood. Usually it stems from where they spent there first 20 years.

Interesting about the two types of glue used on the Mosquito. I remember John Stokes Mosquito was said to have bugs flying out of it. I never thought much of it because bugs and birds fly out of metal airplanes too. But then I had to care for wooden boats too, and they would become homes for worms, so there could've been some creatures in it.

RR299 had very good care and it's destruction had zero to do with it's wooden, steel, aluminum or any other structure.

Chris...

[Dave Hadfield]

If wood didn't exist on our planet, and then we invented it, we'd label it as an "advanced carbon-fiber matrix" and charge people a fortune for it.

The spars on my old ketch are laminated sitka spruce, 65 years old, have never been re-built, are subjected to considerable strain every year, and appear to be made with urea-formaldehyde glue. They show no apparent fatigue, or cracks, or rot, and there's no reason not to suppose that as long as I keep them well coated, and don't physically damage them, they'll out-last me.



The hull is made from cypress, and I don't think has ever had a plank removed. White oak frames. Live-Oak keel structure.

Wood -- wonderful stuff.

Dave

[warbird1]

Mosquitoes were also glued with two different glues, initially organic casein glue, and later this was replaced by "Aerolite", a synthetic urea-formaldehyde adhesive. IIRC related to my conversations with people restoring or maintaining Mosquitoes, the casein glue, if properly used and then protected has a potential long and effective life, whereas the urea-formaldehyde will crystallise and lose its mechanical strength. We have more effective modern adhesives than either now, and at least one (non-airworthy) Mosquito rebuild is using West System epoxy.

Lots of questions on these two glues of the Mossie.

Does anyone know which of the surviving Mossie's have which type of glues? Any breakdowns, or percentages of which have what? Also, have any of the "modern" flying Mosquito's (post- 633 Squadron) had one type of glue over the other? Also, what kind of glue is being used on the Powell/Yagen Mossie replica?

I also recall hearing that the Mosquitoes that were deployed to the CBI theater during the War had lots of problems with the wood delaminating/destructing due to the heat/humidity of the tropics. Anyone know which glue this was? What finally solved the problem with the disintegrating Mosquitoes?

Thanks experts!!!

[Dan Jones]

A few notes on Mossies.

The tests that we had done on TA634 can be easily replicated elsewhere. They showed, essentially that she was in good condition, but could not fly again without significant replacement of structure. Our licensed engineer then spent a couple of years learning the Mosquito in depth, and concluded that he wouldnt fly an aeroplane on original wood and glue - however well preserved it was. He is strongly of the opinion that KA114 is the way to go if you want to fly a Mossie.

There is plenty of documentation available - you just need to know where to look. I got hold of a copy of the Swedish illustrated parts catalogue, and passed it around interested parties. Its absolutely invaluable. All of the RAF docs are available at a price from the RAF Museum amongst others.

Parts are not as common as P51, but they are around - its a question of how hard you look. I could put my hand on a lot of stuff quite easily.

You may be interested to know that the volunteers at the de Havilland Museum recently dismantled the original prototype for conservation works. That too is in very good order, and its quite amazing how similar it is to the later production aircraft. They really got it right first time!



Bruce

Does anybody here know how to get ahold of "Bruce"? I'm trying to find a copy of that Swedish IPC for the guys in Victoria and I drew a blank with PM'ing him.

thanks,
Dan
warbirds@shaw.ca

[michaelharadon]

Its kinda like picking your favorite Beatles song.

Flight Lieutenant Charles Emanuel "Pop" Edinger DFC, MiD. - 6 kills - 410 Squadron
"Pop" Edinger? I'll bet he was less than 30 years old...