Truly remarkable how few modifications were required to make the Mozzie ready for production and combat. I live south of where the Canadian variant was built in Malton Ontario and have a real affection for this beautiful aircraft.
It was wonderfull to see w4050 as my great grandfather went to work for De havilland as he was a master cabinet maker originally, i remember as a very young boy him sitting on his knee and presenting me with a bolsa wood toy of the mosquito he'd make and telling me about how we had helped make the very first one and how proud he was to have been part of the team that made such a ground breaking aircraft. Unfortunately it was only when i got older and he had past that i realised how cool that was .fantastic to be able to see her in the flesh as it were . just whished i could have sat in the cockpit that really would have been the cherry on the cake.
The prototype W4050 had its fuselage fracture while taxying across rough ground. The complete fuselage was swapped for that of W4051 and then strengthened each side as shown in the video. The ID number of fuselage W4051 had the 1 painted over and a zero added. Until the paintwork was stripped, a few years ago, visitors could just about make out and feel the outline of the 1 on the fuselage. The original short rear nacelles can still be found inside the added longer versions. So it would be possible to restore this plane to its original wing configuration.
I would give up my Sundays in the early 70s to help out at the museum, my first visit was a foggy damp day, as i walked along slowly two spinners came into view then the rest of an aircraft, a marvelous sight to see, One engine on the prototype was found to have 40 hours left on it, so it was sold providing the buyer found a replacement time ex engine., Much later in life i was offered a flight out of Manchester to Chester, I had to decline as i think i would have lost my job, but regret that decision now, as the mosquito took off the tower asked him to beat up the runway it was a wonderful sight to see this mosquito bank then come down the center line of the runway at speed going over the top of a Laker BAC 1-11 that was taxying . I was at the museum when the Sea Vixen was off loaded, the aircraft swung to one side with a wing tip being damaged, Alas my job took me away from the museum I must make a point of returning, many thanks for the video, the mossie must be my favorite of all time, I do have a set of Brian Taylors scale plans of the aircraft , but its build is under the heading one day. and as with everything else the price of balsa has gone through the roof.
Million thanks for the great video Sir.. Is that door underside of the starboard side of the fuselage for pilot entry..? And found a bulge over the canopy, on starboard side.. what is the real purpose of this bulge..? Night time navigation..?
Yes - the bomber version (which was the first prototype) had the entry door there. If you come to see the prototype at the museum, you will appreciate how much of a tight squeeze it would have been - particularly if you were wearing a parachute. The door was re-located in the fighter-bomber version, to make room for the cannon and machine guns. The later marks of Mosquito had side bulges for improved rearward view, and a top ‘astrodome’ blister for taking sextant readings. You can see this on the Mosquito B35 also at the museum.
They probably couldn't afford the extra time, effort and materials to include the leading edge slats. As it was the landing speed was one of the highest of all allied planes in WWII.
Is the aircraft shown actually the original Mosquito? I ask because it seems to have the upgraded Merlin engines from later in the war. I could, of course, be wrong, but that's what I see.
Yes, this is the original Mosquito prototype, which has been restored to the state it was at the end of its service life. At that time, it had the later Merlin engines installed, as it was being used as a test-bed for the high-altitude night fighter version.
They should have repainted W4050 in the exact yellow colors used on the plane when it first flew in late 1940. Could have been even more authentic had it used the serial number _E2034_ , which was on the plane when it was first unveiled.
Would you tear out the development two stage engines and cowlings and rip off the rear nacelle extensions? The plane was a working test bed and evolved during the war. The colours it had at the end _would be_ the most authentic.
Looks more like a development airframe than a prototype. That usage is probably why it survived. The Mk VI fighter bomber shown in the video has the original single stage Merlin engine nacelles.
@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 If W4050 had had the later two stage engines fitted later in its career as a test bed (which it did) that wouldn't have been the issue for me. My original gripe was that there was no mention of this at all in the video, leading one to believe these power plants had been fitted right from the start. In addition, at the very beginning of flight tests, '4050 had shorter nacelles than production airframes, which allowed for full span flaps as opposed to the familiar paired arrangement on each wing, as seen on production models. The wing tips were squared off as well giving a different profile when viewed in plan. The exhaust arrangement was also different. It would have been simple enough for all of this to have been mentioned in the video.
As you correctly point out, the W4050 (or E0234 as she was originally called) has been restored in nearly the state she was at the end of her life. This does include the 2-stage Merlins, when she was being used for prototyping further refinements. The purpose of this video was to highlight the purpose of creating a prototype, and how it was used to refine the development process. It was not a full history of W4050, which is itself fascinating (including the fact that the entire fuselage was swapped with another plane at one time). Maybe we should do a history video of that plane, if people are interested. Thanks for your comments.
@@deHavMuseum Thank you for your response. It was certainly not my intention to cause any offence. It's the first time commenting on You-Tube and on reflection I could have been a little more diplomatic. I'm a keen aircraft enthusiast and scale modeller and the pursuit of authenticity is somewhat engrained, so seeing W4050 as she is was somewhat of a jolt. Your explanation is greatly appreciated. The most important thing is the progenitor of an incredibly successful series of aeroplanes is still in existence for future generations to appreciate. Keep up the excellent work.
Very interesting indeed. My Grandfather flew Mosquito Mk VI with 410 squadron RCAF. Killed 1943.
We will remember them.
Truly remarkable how few modifications were required to make the Mozzie ready for production and combat. I live south of where the Canadian variant was built in Malton Ontario and have a real affection for this beautiful aircraft.
It was wonderfull to see w4050 as my great grandfather went to work for De havilland as he was a master cabinet maker originally, i remember as a very young boy him sitting on his knee and presenting me with a bolsa wood toy of the mosquito he'd make and telling me about how we had helped make the very first one and how proud he was to have been part of the team that made such a ground breaking aircraft. Unfortunately it was only when i got older and he had past that i realised how cool that was .fantastic to be able to see her in the flesh as it were . just whished i could have sat in the cockpit that really would have been the cherry on the cake.
The prototype W4050 had its fuselage fracture while taxying across rough ground. The complete fuselage was swapped for that of W4051 and then strengthened each side as shown in the video. The ID number of fuselage W4051 had the 1 painted over and a zero added. Until the paintwork was stripped, a few years ago, visitors could just about make out and feel the outline of the 1 on the fuselage.
The original short rear nacelles can still be found inside the added longer versions. So it would be possible to restore this plane to its original wing configuration.
Nicely articulated commentary!
I have worked on the Beaver and the Buffalo, hopefully someday I will get to visit .
An unhurried , common sense , commentary of ( one of ) the greatest multi-role aircraft in WW2
I think it can be said without a doubt it was the very best multi role aircraft of the war.
I would give up my Sundays in the early 70s to help out at the museum, my first visit was a foggy damp day, as i walked along slowly two spinners came into view then the rest of an aircraft, a marvelous sight to see,
One engine on the prototype was found to have 40 hours left on it, so it was sold providing the buyer found a replacement time ex engine., Much later in life i was offered a flight out of Manchester to Chester, I had to decline as i think i would have lost my job, but regret that decision now, as the mosquito took off the tower asked him to beat up the runway it was a wonderful sight to see this mosquito bank then come down the center line of the runway at speed going over the top of a Laker BAC 1-11 that was taxying .
I was at the museum when the Sea Vixen was off loaded, the aircraft swung to one side with a wing tip being damaged, Alas my job took me away from the museum I must make a point of returning, many thanks for the video, the mossie must be my favorite of all time, I do have a set of Brian Taylors scale plans of the aircraft , but its build is under the heading one day. and as with everything else the price of balsa has gone through the roof.
Million thanks for the great video Sir..
Is that door underside of the starboard side of the fuselage for pilot entry..? And found a bulge over the canopy, on starboard side.. what is the real purpose of this bulge..? Night time navigation..?
Yes - the bomber version (which was the first prototype) had the entry door there. If you come to see the prototype at the museum, you will appreciate how much of a tight squeeze it would have been - particularly if you were wearing a parachute. The door was re-located in the fighter-bomber version, to make room for the cannon and machine guns. The later marks of Mosquito had side bulges for improved rearward view, and a top ‘astrodome’ blister for taking sextant readings. You can see this on the Mosquito B35 also at the museum.
Thank you Sir..
Am working on a scale model of the mosquito, for a diorama as scramble.. so any information is valuable..
Was that door a safe bail out exit? It looks very near to the props, imagine idling right engine in a steep descent?
They probably couldn't afford the extra time, effort and materials to include the leading edge slats. As it was the landing speed was one of the highest of all allied planes in WWII.
Mosquito: British Eccentric, Brutally Effective😀
Is the aircraft shown actually the original Mosquito? I ask because it seems to have the upgraded Merlin engines from later in the war. I could, of course, be wrong, but that's what I see.
Yes, this is the original Mosquito prototype, which has been restored to the state it was at the end of its service life. At that time, it had the later Merlin engines installed, as it was being used as a test-bed for the high-altitude night fighter version.
Faster than expected..
They should have repainted W4050 in the exact yellow colors used on the plane when it first flew in late 1940. Could have been even more authentic had it used the serial number _E2034_ , which was on the plane when it was first unveiled.
Would you tear out the development two stage engines and cowlings and rip off the rear nacelle extensions? The plane was a working test bed and evolved during the war. The colours it had at the end _would be_ the most authentic.
Unbelievable! No mention whatsoever that the airframe is sporting the later, 'Two-Stage' Merlin engine cowls implying W4050 had these fitted from
Looks more like a development airframe than a prototype. That usage is probably why it survived. The Mk VI fighter bomber shown in the video has the original single stage Merlin engine nacelles.
@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 If W4050 had had the later two stage engines fitted later in its career as a test bed (which it did) that wouldn't have been the issue for me. My original gripe was that there was no mention of this at all in the video, leading one to believe these power plants had been fitted right from the start.
In addition, at the very beginning of flight tests, '4050 had shorter nacelles than production airframes, which allowed for full span flaps as opposed to the familiar paired arrangement on each wing, as seen on production models. The wing tips were squared off as well giving a different profile when viewed in plan. The exhaust arrangement was also different.
It would have been simple enough for all of this to have been mentioned in the video.
..the beginning. With all respect, please do your research.
Interesting, otherwise.
As you correctly point out, the W4050 (or E0234 as she was originally called) has been restored in nearly the state she was at the end of her life. This does include the 2-stage Merlins, when she was being used for prototyping further refinements. The purpose of this video was to highlight the purpose of creating a prototype, and how it was used to refine the development process. It was not a full history of W4050, which is itself fascinating (including the fact that the entire fuselage was swapped with another plane at one time). Maybe we should do a history video of that plane, if people are interested. Thanks for your comments.
@@deHavMuseum
Thank you for your response. It was certainly not my intention to cause any offence. It's the first time commenting on You-Tube and on reflection I could have been a little more diplomatic. I'm a keen aircraft enthusiast and scale modeller and the pursuit of authenticity is somewhat engrained, so seeing W4050 as she is was somewhat of a jolt. Your explanation is greatly appreciated.
The most important thing is the progenitor of an incredibly successful series of aeroplanes is still in existence for future generations to appreciate.
Keep up the excellent work.