144 replies to this topic

[Alan Cox]

Another aviation programme for TNFers to pick holes in is coming up this Sunday at 8.00pm on Channel 4 entitled 'The Plane That Saved Britain', about the De Havilland Mosquito
http://www.channel4....n/episode-guide

[alansart]

Hopefully they'll do it justice. The Mosquito is one of my favourite aircraft so I'm looking forward to it.

No doubt it'll be followed by 633 Squadron..still a classic film

[Cirrus]

It sounds rather good from the Channel 4 synopsis. I'll record it - I'm driving back from Spa on Sunday and it sounds like the perfect way to unwind with a beer

[RS2000]

"The plane that might have saved a generation" is one possible title for a Mosquito tribute. I think Mosquitos were eventually taking 4000lb bombs to Berlin, so the terrible casualties suffered in Bomber Command "Heavies" in WW2 might have been at least partially avoided?

[Bloggsworth]

"The plane that might have saved a generation" is one possible title for a Mosquito tribute. I think Mosquitos were eventually taking 4000lb bombs to Berlin, so the terrible casualties suffered in Bomber Command "Heavies" in WW2 might have been at least partially avoided?

Only 500lbs less than a Boeing B17 with only 2 crew rather than 10 and about 80MPH faster, so less vulnerable.

[Allan Lupton]

"Probably man's highest engineering achievement in timber" was our book's strapline - less hubristic than "the plane that saved Britain" so I prefer it.

[Tony Kingston]

Another aviation programme for TNFers to pick holes in is coming up this Sunday at 8.00pm on Channel 4 entitled 'The Plane That Saved Britain', about the De Havilland Mosquito
http://www.channel4....n/episode-guide

I don't usually comment on such things but isn't it the home draw known as the "Battle of Britain" which saved Britain in 1940 and caused the cancellation of operation sealion?
I may be wrong but I believe the Mosquito entered service in 1942, long after Barbarossa had shifted the tide.
After the unpleasantness in the Pacific of December 1941 and the consequent introduction of the world's most industrialised nation into the conflict, was there any any doubt as to the eventual outcome?
I don't believe that that any one aircraft saved Britain.

[scheivlak]

Another aviation programme for TNFers to pick holes in is coming up this Sunday at 8.00pm on Channel 4 entitled 'The Plane That Saved Britain', about the De Havilland Mosquito
http://www.channel4....n/episode-guide

Great plane, ridiculous title.

[Ross Stonefeld]

I don't believe that that any one aircraft saved Britain.

Not even those that flew over Hawaii in 1941?

[JtP1]

Not even those that flew over Hawaii in 1941?

[JacnGille]

No doubt it'll be followed by 633 Squadron..still a classic film

[PCC]

I told my Dad about the show (which neither of us can watch, since we're not in the UK), and he sent me these photos from an air show in Hamilton, Ontario:

Edit: I should have added that this is the plane featured in the documentary, making its public debut last month after what could be characterized as a very substantial restoration...

Edited by PCC, 17 July 2013 - 14:04.

[RTH]

TNF visit to the Hatfield museum ?

[Roy C]

I'm sure many have already seen this, but it's worth repeating:

"It took 5 years to complete but de Havilland Mosquito KA114 is now flying!
Aeromediagroup sent Scott Slocum to New Zealand to capture this magnificent restoration over the beautiful surroundings of the North Island."

[Stephen W]

After the unpleasantness in the Pacific of December 1941 and the consequent introduction of the world's most industrialised nation into the conflict, was there any any doubt as to the eventual outcome?
I don't believe that that any one aircraft saved Britain.

Not even those that flew over Hawaii in 1941?

My parents told me that there were celebrations in the streets when the news broke about Pearl Harbour.

Great plane, ridiculous title.

Totally agree - bordering on the infantile.

[kayemod]

My parents told me that there were celebrations in the streets when the news broke about Pearl Harbour.

Quite right too, that was where Hitler's fate was sealed. Because of a pact with Japan, he had to declare war on the USA, and from that moment Germany was doomed. His invasion of Russia wasn't a good move certainly, but far from fatal as is often claimed. Even a defeat in Russia would have been survivable if the Americans hadn't involved themselves in European proceedings. Returning to the thread though, I'll be interested to see how that rather odd claim in the programme's title is supported.

[Odseybod]

TNF visit to the Hatfield museum ?

[Allan Lupton]

TNF visit to the Hatfield museum ?

Actually the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, formerly the Mosquito Aircraft Museum, is at Salisbury Hall, near London Colney rather than Hatfield.
Sadly the scheme we were shown in about 1993 which was to move it to a part of Hatfield airfield and expand it into a suitably magnificent museum/study centre/conference centre came to nothing.
Mind you, a TNF visit to Salisbury Hall would probably have good support!

[Tony Matthews]

That small boy' name must be Chock...

[Odseybod]

That small boy' name must be Chock...

And some swine has turned his identical twin into a large piece of cheese.

[JtP1]

Quite right too, that was where Hitler's fate was sealed. Because of a pact with Japan, he had to declare war on the USA, and from that moment Germany was doomed. His invasion of Russia wasn't a good move certainly, but far from fatal as is often claimed. Even a defeat in Russia would have been survivable if the Americans hadn't involved themselves in European proceedings. Returning to the thread though, I'll be interested to see how that rather odd claim in the programme's title is supported.

It was the only treaty obligation that Hitler ever honoured and it still took till the 10th December.

It is interesting that the Mosquito only has 5 exhaust stacks per bank, must find a photo as to how that was done and why, possibly flame damper exhausts. But on a daylight fighter bomber?

Edited by JtP1, 17 July 2013 - 10:06.

[Allan Lupton]

It is interesting that the Mosquito only has 5 exhaust stacks per bank, must find a photo as to how that was done and why, possibly flame damper exhausts. But on a daylight fighter bomber?

So far as I remember the siamesed exhausts 5 and 6 was done because otherwise no. 6 was too close to the leading edge of the radiators (mounted as part of the leading edge of the inner wing). Although not necessary for the outboard exhausts, they were treated the same for inventory reasons.
The night fighter exhausts were completely different

[Tony Matthews]

And some swine has turned his identical twin into a large piece of cheese.

That's life, TT, Chock 'n' Cheese.

[Odseybod]

That's life, TT, Chock 'n' Cheese.

Emmentale, my dear Watson.

[Macca]

Go Caerphilly now.....

Paul M

[JtP1]

So far as I remember the siamesed exhausts 5 and 6 was done because otherwise no. 6 was too close to the leading edge of the radiators (mounted as part of the leading edge of the inner wing). Although not necessary for the outboard exhausts, they were treated the same for inventory reasons.
The night fighter exhausts were completely different

found a photo of a Hasegawa kit and it may be to clear cooling pipes roind the engine.

That btw is a fighter bomber possibly used as a night intruder from the exhausts. Night fighters don't have the machine guns as the space is used by the radar

[Macca]

There's been one for sale recently, in flying condition;
http://www.flightglo...-the-95841.aspx

Apparently the Mossie was bought by a bloke named Lewis from Texas, so we won't be seeing it.

Paul M

[arttidesco]

Mind you, a TNF visit to Salisbury Hall would probably have good support!

[ArnouxD2]

I shall watch with interest, wonderful aircraft, pure and simple and utterly used to full advantage. Loved Goering's oft-cited remarks...

In 1940 I could at least fly as far as Glasgow in most of my aircraft, but not now! It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy. The British, who can afford aluminium better than we can, knock together a beautiful wooden aircraft that every piano factory over there is building, and they give it a speed which they have now increased yet again. What do you make of that? There is nothing the British do not have. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops. After the war is over I'm going to buy a British radio set - then at least I'll own something that has always worked.

— Hermann Göring, 1943

[Tony Matthews]

Emmentale, my dear Watson.

Go Caerphilly now.....

Paul M

Gordon Zola, what can of worms have I opened?

[Odseybod]

Gordon Zola, what can of worms have I opened?

Probably brie another pun along soon. C'mon, Bert ...

[Vitesse2]

YAAARG!

[Allan Lupton]

found a photo of a Hasegawa kit and it may be to clear cooling pipes roind the engine.

Not sure what Hasegawa kit means, but the only non-standard aspect of the Merlin's cooling system in the Mosquito was the pump delivered coolant flow into the radiator rather than to the cylinders.

That btw is a fighter bomber possibly used as a night intruder from the exhausts. Night fighters don't have the machine guns as the space is used by the radar

True enough for the later marks, but the first few were before the invention of the radar nose first used on the NF Mk. XII

Edited by Allan Lupton, 17 July 2013 - 14:38.

[elansprint72]

There's been one for sale recently, in flying condition;
http://www.flightglo...-the-95841.aspx

Apparently the Mossie was bought by a bloke named Lewis from Texas, so we won't be seeing it.

Paul M

That is the same aircraft- rebuilt in NZ, taken to Canada, sold to Texas, apparently.

[elansprint72]

Gordon Zola, what can of worms have I opened?

You may have met your Waterloo this time.

[Tony Matthews]

You may have met your Waterloo this time.

Only if I want the 10;45 to Wensleydale.

[Tony Matthews]

I'm still fighting the urge to buy an Airfix Mosquito, a stunning kit of a beautiful aircraft, but the cost, the time ...

Edited by Tony Matthews, 17 July 2013 - 15:18.

[Odseybod]

I'm still fighting the urge to buy an Airfix Mosquito, a stunning kit of a beautiful aircraft, but the cost, the time ...

Is that the 1:48 scaler one, Tony? I built it about 20 years ago and despite my dubious modelling'skills', it still looks great (albeit a bit dusty now).

Edited by Odseybod, 17 July 2013 - 15:22.

[PCC]

That is the same aircraft- rebuilt in NZ, taken to Canada, sold to Texas, apparently.

And that's the one in my post (#12) above.

[kayemod]

It was the only treaty obligation that Hitler ever honoured and it still took till the 10th December.

Now be fair to Adolf, declaring war isn't something you rush into on the spur of the moment.

[JtP1]

Now be fair to Adolf, declaring war isn't something you rush into on the spur of the moment.

Tis for tony bliar

[Tony Matthews]

I suspect Tony is referring to the fabulous 1/24 scale one, Tony. I don't think Airfix list it any more and none are listed on Amazon, so you will probably have to part with best part of £100 for one on eBay. Quite a daunting build.

Yes, 1/24 - there's one in a shop near me...

[Odseybod]

Yes, 1/24 - there's one in a shop near me...

Ah, sadly don't have a big enough hangar for that one (or the budget). Bet it's splendid, though.

[MCS]

Slightly off topic, but has anybody seen the Airfix History exhibition at the RAF Museum?

[Odseybod]

Slightly off topic, but has anybody seen the Airfix History exhibition at the RAF Museum?

No - worth a visit?

[Tony Kingston]

Now be fair to Adolf, declaring war isn't something you rush into on the spur of the moment.

Who were the first to declare war anyway?

[Tony Kingston]

I'm still fighting the urge to buy an Airfix Mosquito, a stunning kit of a beautiful aircraft, but the cost, the time ...

If you really want a model Mosquito, build a balsa wood one. There are plenty of plans available. Finding the time may be a problem.

[Tony Matthews]

If you really want a model Mosquito, build a balsa wood one. There are plenty of plans available. Finding the time may be a problem.

I appreciate the connection, but having built dozens of balsa 'solids' in my childhood I have no burning ambition to regress. A bit like camping, I'm glad I did it, but I don't want to do it
now...

[elansprint72]

Slightly off topic, but has anybody seen the Airfix History exhibition at the RAF Museum?

Which RAF museum?

[Rob29]

No doubt it'll be followed by 633 Squadron..still a classic film

3am saturday 27th on ITV actually I remember seeing this when it was released.I think there was an older film called'Mosquito Squadron'in black & white ?