Thread: Aussie built Warplane

Originally Posted by 123rover50

May be of interest

it certainly is interesting - a good example of a WW2 "information" (propaganda) film

.......and as you know - a lot of metal aeroplanes were successfully built in Oz in WW2.... but the Mossie in particular wasn't such a success - lack of knowledge about wood glues and their use in aircraft flown in our climate(s) led in the short term to structural failures and very short (if any) service life for most of the production - similar plywood construction in Australia for parts of 80 locally produced Vampire jet fighter was more successful.

When I was last at RAAF Richmond, there was a Mosquito there in pieces - a lot of the screws and nails (panel pin type) in the wings were quite rusty - it was to be restored to static but I don't now what has happened to it.


It was also interesting to see the background landscapes of Bankstown aerodrome in the movie - similar to how I remember it as an ATC (now AIRTC) cadet in the early 1950s - it's a lot different now

There were delamination problems with a lot of the WW2 small craft. Glues simply not suitable for use in the heat and humidity of the tropics as were some of the timbers selected. OK for the cooler and drier conditions of USA and Europe.. Modern glues are much improved. You used to see work boats, Vospers, Fairmiles, etc. being offered at auction with large sections of "blown" hull ply.

Frank Boyce of Brisbane used to buy these and Matilda tanks. Gut the machinery from the military craft, rip the Leyland or AEC diesels from the tanks and, voila, one tank provided two diesels for two leisure cruisers.

The Mozzie at Richmond has been there for a long, long time. I recall seeing there in 1987 looking pretty much as you describe it.

Matt.

"Military Aircraft of Australia" by Stewart Wilson states that the RAAF operated 285 Mosquitoes. 212 built in Australia, three of which crashed before delivery, and 76 UK built. The only combat squadrons to operate Mosquitoes in WW2 were 1 Squadron and 94 Squadron. 94 remained at home and flew Mosquitoes for only four months, and only 1 Squadron saw action in 1945. The type was operated by the RAAF from 1943 to 1953. The first Australian built aircraft flew in July 1943 but only 18 were delivered by the end of 1944. Production ceased in July 1948. The aircraft were being withdrawn from service before completion of the contract. Most intensive use was by 87 Squadron on the mammoth task of remapping the Australian continent which took 6 years and 87 Squadron flew the last Mosquito sortie in August 1953. The mapping job is most likely what kept the type in service whilst disposal was proceeding. Almost all were disposed of by burning.

Australians in the RAF and Australian units in Europe operated British supplied Mosquitoes but Wilson did not include these in his tally, keeping to ones built or operated in Australia.

Very interesting thank you. My partner's father ( from NSW ) was a squadron leader flying Mosquitos over England 1942 to 1944.
Dave

Dave was he in a Pathfinder Squadron?

Originally Posted by mudmouse

The Mozzie at Richmond has been there for a long, long time. I recall seeing there in 1987 looking pretty much as you describe it.

Matt.

That aircraft is now in a hangar at RAAF Point Cook in one of the museum hangars, I also saw it in Richmond during the 1992 airshow.
It has progressed a little bit but not as much as 20yrs would suggest.
They seem to have a lot of completed assemblies ready to bolt on when the airframe is ready, not sure about the engines.

Had a look at a Mosquitoe on display in MOTAT Auckland.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito"]de Havilland Mosquito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] FB.40 Bankstown de Havilland Australia factory 1946. RAAF A52-19. Modified to T43 serial number A52-1053. RNZAF 75 Sqn NZ2305 1947. Retired as farm shed prior to recovery.
WIKI.