When looking at the reasons for building the Mosquito out of wood, it is worth remembering the following words from Geoffrey de Havilland himself: “..successful aircraft design is a matter of stage-by-stage development, and the use of accumulated experience and data applied by people who have long worked together as a team, and who have pride and enthusiasm. An aircraft designer must also have much of the artist in him, backed up by a lot of creative engineering experience. A deep insight into mechanical engineering is one of the essentials.” Ron Bishop, the chief designer of the Mosquito, epitomised this. Despite having designed DH’s first metal airliner - the DH.95 Flamingo - Bishop had been brought up in the company’s tradition of wooden structures.
Thankyou . Some of the most beautiful aircraft ever came from the De Havilland Workshops. And of course the Hornet was Captain Eric "Winkle " Brown's favourite .
During WW2, my Mother worked on the assembly line in the De Havilland Canada plant in Downsview, Ontario (near Toronto). She helped to build the approximately 1134 Mosquitoes which were made here in Canada and shipped across the North Atlantic to Britain. She was very proud of her service, as are we. To my mind, it is one of the most beautiful airplanes ever conceived.
Interesting to see that prototype... my father was a foreman at DH and was involved in its construction. Nice to know it is still existing. It's on my "bucket list to see it before I die...
The Flamingo and Mosquito are prime example of what de Havilland always did so well. Building beautiful looking aircraft. I always consider the Flamingo a better looking machine than the Albatross. At the time it was built I think it was a case of if the Mosquito couldn't do it there was nothing else that could either.
It would be very interesting to hear the positives of being made out of wood. I have heard that the wood construction could absorb battle damage better than metal. Were the cowlings made out of wood?
de Havilland DH.95 Flamingo 14 built de Havilland DH.91 Albatross 7 (including two prototypes) withdrawn from service due to deterioration of the aircraft's plywood wing structures
Yeah it was excellent both video and aircraft. I wish I could see you at the museum but being on the both opposite sides of the planet that sort of isn't possible. 👍👍
It has been claimed that an all metal Mosquito would have been 15% faster , the stats were arrived at through computer modelling , I cannot recall the source .
Great video - Looking forward to you visiting later in 2024 for a photoshoot. Quick question - as the mosquito was wooden did it show up less on Radar?
There is some evidence that the mosquito had a reputation of being difficult to track on radar. Was that due to it's wooden construction (notwithstanding bulky Merlin engines)? Or maybe because it flew in smaller numbers than the large swarms of metal 4-engined bombers? Or maybe an excuse to explain why it was difficult to stop?
You missed, perhaps, the most important reason and one that goes against your entire narrative. In 1938 the Air Ministry issued specification B.9/38 for a medium bomber made of non-strategic metals (i.e. aluminium and its alloys). De Havilland was approached to build a design to fulfil this specification but they decided not to submit a design. So, why have you repeated the misleading claim that the Air Ministry rejected the Mosquito because it was made of wood? The Air Ministry wanted a wooden aircraft, either in whole on in part. In fact so did the head of Bomber Command at the time (ACM Ludlow-Hewitt) de Havilland fist proposed the design that would become the Mosquito.
A plane designed for the attrition of war, capable of being replaced during a protracted conflict. I wonder how well the very expensive and complicated warplanes of today will fare?
Incredible aircraft, informative video, I belief I'm correct in saying in the effort not to increase the complexity, the propellers were not counter rotating to compensate for torque , which required a bit of skill to compensate for .
Very true, plenty of rudder required on takeoff. Also made the aircraft prone to flipping over on takeoff if the wrong engine cutout. But most important aircraft of the war IMHO.
@@peterrollinson-lorimer Roger that, its called an asymetric stall, non recoverable, especially on take off. Totally agree on best aircraft , Its speed was awesome and I've always been amazed at its range at low level. Especially in European theater - a lot of missions over the channel, and over North Sea. Cheers
Never in history has so many false myths and propaganda nonsense been written by armchair fiction authors... Freeman's Folly has been conflated and exaggerated into pure British mythology. British "historians" never let the truth get in the way of a good story!!!
When looking at the reasons for building the Mosquito out of wood, it is worth remembering the following words from Geoffrey de Havilland himself:
“..successful aircraft design is a matter of stage-by-stage development, and the use of accumulated experience and data applied by people who have long worked together as a team, and who have pride and enthusiasm. An aircraft designer must also have much of the artist in him, backed up by a lot of creative engineering experience. A deep insight into mechanical engineering is one of the essentials.”
Ron Bishop, the chief designer of the Mosquito, epitomised this.
Despite having designed DH’s first metal airliner - the DH.95 Flamingo - Bishop had been brought up in the company’s tradition of wooden structures.
Thankyou . Some of the most beautiful aircraft ever came from the De Havilland Workshops. And of course the Hornet was Captain Eric "Winkle " Brown's favourite .
During WW2, my Mother worked on the assembly line in the De Havilland Canada plant in Downsview, Ontario (near Toronto). She helped to build the approximately 1134 Mosquitoes which were made here in Canada and shipped across the North Atlantic to Britain. She was very proud of her service, as are we. To my mind, it is one of the most beautiful airplanes ever conceived.
Interesting to see that prototype... my father was a foreman at DH and was involved in its construction. Nice to know it is still existing. It's on my "bucket list to see it before I die...
The Flamingo and Mosquito are prime example of what de Havilland always did so well. Building beautiful looking aircraft. I always consider the Flamingo a better looking machine than the Albatross. At the time it was built I think it was a case of if the Mosquito couldn't do it there was nothing else that could either.
My all time favourite aircraft.... Wonderful bit of lateral thinking that more than proved its worth. Huzzah!!
British Eccentric, Brutally Effective.
It would be very interesting to hear the positives of being made out of wood. I have heard that the wood construction could absorb battle damage better than metal. Were the cowlings made out of wood?
Excellent video thanks!
de Havilland DH.95 Flamingo 14 built
de Havilland DH.91 Albatross 7 (including two prototypes) withdrawn from service due to deterioration of the aircraft's plywood wing structures
Will try to visit next year. I'm especially interested in the earliest jet engines.
Perhaps you could do a study of the Hornet which followed on from the Mosquito and was every bit as good in what it did.
Yeah it was excellent both video and aircraft. I wish I could see you at the museum but being on the both opposite sides of the planet that sort of isn't possible. 👍👍
It has been claimed that an all metal Mosquito would have been 15% faster , the stats were arrived at through computer modelling , I cannot recall the source .
Was it better than the P38 Lightning?
Gregs aeroplanes channel, will give you a thorough comparison of the 2 aircraft.
Great video as usual 👍
Great video - Looking forward to you visiting later in 2024 for a photoshoot. Quick question - as the mosquito was wooden did it show up less on Radar?
There is some evidence that the mosquito had a reputation of being difficult to track on radar. Was that due to it's wooden construction (notwithstanding bulky Merlin engines)? Or maybe because it flew in smaller numbers than the large swarms of metal 4-engined bombers? Or maybe an excuse to explain why it was difficult to stop?
@@deHavMuseum Thanks for taking the time to reply... fascinating stuff! Looking forward to visiting next year.😊✈️😊
Thank you
Thanks.
Simple answer, when Germany captured France, it also captured Britains main supply of Aluminum, the country has no indigenous supplies of Bauxite.
My favorite war bird.
You missed, perhaps, the most important reason and one that goes against your entire narrative. In 1938 the Air Ministry issued specification B.9/38 for a medium bomber made of non-strategic metals (i.e. aluminium and its alloys). De Havilland was approached to build a design to fulfil this specification but they decided not to submit a design. So, why have you repeated the misleading claim that the Air Ministry rejected the Mosquito because it was made of wood? The Air Ministry wanted a wooden aircraft, either in whole on in part. In fact so did the head of Bomber Command at the time (ACM Ludlow-Hewitt) de Havilland fist proposed the design that would become the Mosquito.
A brilliant aircraft if winkle brown like it it was a no brainier
Dare I say, this aircraft is sexy. The Maserati of the sky!🇦🇺👴🏻
A plane designed for the attrition of war, capable of being replaced during a protracted conflict. I wonder how well the very expensive and complicated warplanes of today will fare?
❤cool❤
6.16 de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen 37% loss rate in peace time.
Incredible aircraft, informative video, I belief I'm correct in saying in the effort not to increase the complexity, the propellers were not counter rotating to compensate for torque , which required a bit of skill to compensate for .
Very true, plenty of rudder required on takeoff. Also made the aircraft prone to flipping over on takeoff if the wrong engine cutout. But most important aircraft of the war IMHO.
@@peterrollinson-lorimer Roger that, its called an asymetric stall, non recoverable, especially on take off. Totally agree on best aircraft , Its speed was awesome and I've always been amazed at its range at low level. Especially in European theater - a lot of missions over the channel, and over North Sea. Cheers
By far , the very best and most versatile aircraft in WW2 BAR NONE !!
Never in history has so many false myths and propaganda nonsense been written by armchair fiction authors... Freeman's Folly has been conflated and exaggerated into pure British mythology.
British "historians" never let the truth get in the way of a good story!!!