Duxfords Blenheim MkI Airborne

I've no idea but they turn out some good stuff both restoration and new build.

 

Combination of factors I think. Culturally, many people there are practical, "JFDI" kinds of people. Because of historically high costs of imports, there is a long tradition of mending things (especially mechanical things, such as cars) rather than buying new. Educationally, standards are as high as anywhere in the west. There is definitely the kind of interest and reverence for history and heritage, particularly wartime heritage. Set against that, wages tend to be a bit lower than in e.g. Australia or the US. There is plenty of space to set up a workshop on a farm or similar where you have a fair amount of space without needing to disturb the neighbours too much. Put all those factors together, and you get ideal conditions for doing restoration-type projects. I think in particular, the lower costs in NZ mean that for wealthy collectors in the US in particular, shipping a project for restoration in NZ might be cost effective relative to doing the same in the US.

Talking of Mosquitos, here is one at Ferrymead (ex-RNZAF Wigram, near Christchurch) - unfortunately, at some point, the main spar was simply sawn through to get the aeroplane moved, so quite a big job.



And this is a complete one at MoTaT (near Auckland):



There is also a Lancaster, Sunderland, Kittyhawk etc at MoTaT.

Tom

 

Well, yes. They do use the term 'remains of RL249', which is probably accurate given it crashed, burned, was stripped of useful parts, used as an instructional airframe and for fire practice, and then finally burned and buried.

 

Oh right, sounds an ideal combination of factors .

 

Possibly a wheel nut. I wish them well nonetheless.

 

That's one of those things with regards to Mosquitos, as it said in one of the books I have about them. There's around 30+/- surviving around the world, though in some cases it's little more than the metal parts i.e. the engines, undercarriage, tail wheel assembly and assorted cockpit instruments window frames.

 

thats enough though to rebuild it would i be right in thinking that any NZ Mozzies would have packard merlins, what mark would that make them? were any built in nz for war service ?

 

Yes, I think a combination of things.

Ferrymead is a fascinating place. When the RNZAF cleared out, they left a load of spares behind. There are a number of aero engines from the 1930s, still in the crates that they were shipped out in from England...

More info about the Mosquito here: http://www.ferrymeadaero.org.nz/about-us/de-havilland-mosquito-fb-vi

Tom

 

The Canadian BXX was a Packard powered BIV. The NF31 was a Packard powered NF30. The Canadian FB26 and Australian FB40 were a Packard powered FBVI/FB21. Canadian BVII was a Packard powered BV.
The Canadians built several different types but not all were Packard powered. Can't find any evidence for NZ built examples.

 

There weren't any NZ-built mosquitos, though the RNZAF had quite a number of both British and Australian built examples. After the war, they could be bought almost two-a-penny: people wanted them primarily for the engines (for power plants), which they stripped and then often burnt the remains.

There's another project here, yours (about 90% restored) for NZ$3.6m, or about £1.8m:

http://www.platinumfighters.com/#!mosquito/c1gbn
http://www.mosquitorestoration.com/index.shtml

Tom

 

Definitely - any effort to put a Mozzie back in the UK skies gets my support.

 

The climate in places is similar to the UK, but without the population, so flying anything is a lot easier (hence easyJet sending their pilots out there for training).

Hopefully the rumour of the Canadian mossie coming over soon will come true!

 

As the lord of the rings films were filmed in NZ, is it not that theres not the population, but that their all hobbits so it only appears that its not got the population?