I took my grandfather to see the mozzie back in September, he was telling me stories about the one in Takaka, and also he was at New Plymouth Airport back in the '50s on business and there were a handful there being prepped for sale to the US.
the-lada-dude,
Dec 26, 6:41am
we are a nation of hoarders !I bet there is enough stuff hidden away out there to start an air force to rival the air FARCE we now have. I 'm sure I read further back that our own air force has truck loads of new and servicable spare parts fof these mozzies and other old aircraft. but they won't part with them!if it's true.what can you say. these parts could be gifted to the warbird trust or similar, with certain proviso's, this helps keep our refurbishing industry going, eventually bringing in more tourist $$ to our air shows. but no !we'll end up doing a deal with the yanks and swap $ 100 millionworth of rear parts for some worn, and outdated F 2 5/8junk HO HO HO, i'm sure we've been down this road b4.yeah yeah yeah . rant rant rant
matarautrader,
Dec 26, 6:48am
I have been told that the Mosquito is still in the shed at Mapua. Evidently the guy has crated unused motors and parts inside the shed as well, and wings etc outside under the trees. But he's a real recluse so nobody has seen them for some time.
gammelvind,
Dec 26, 6:53am
Seeing that mozzy fly over last week, and living close to the Tauranga airport, we regularly see classic planes fly over, did get me thinkingwouldn't it begreat to see more classic planes restored and flying. Would have to be great tourism. How about a restored Sunderland flying boat, we have a Catalina. A hawker hurricane or two, to mix it with some spitfires and some more mosquitos. Just too cool.
berg,
Dec 26, 7:07am
That's the one I know of. Last time I saw it there was almost an inch of dust protecting it. Lots of other goodies in that shed as well that hopefully will once again see the light of day.
elect70,
Dec 26, 2:24pm
Can bet if AF did have them warbirds would knowthey sniff out bits all around the world& can be sure gummint wouldsell them, they aint hoarders
babyonboardnz,
Dec 26, 9:01pm
also a mustang p51 and a p 40 kittyhawk p.s. buy classis wings and read the stories
clanky,
Dec 27, 4:44am
The Mosquito did a low pass over our place last week - about 200 ft. Absolutely awesome sight and sound.
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