de Havilland Mosquito Startup, Omaka Aviation. 4K

The combat aircraft was among the treasure trove of aviation history salvaged from the shed of Mapua-based collector John Smith in 2020, after his death the year before.
The Mosquito was an “incredibly rare” aircraft. Of the 7800 built for Allied forces in World War II, only 31 remained, and only five of those could still have their engines run, this craft being the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Mosquito was bought by Smith as a young man. He won a tender to buy it from Base Woodbourne in 1955. It sparked in Smith a lifetime passion for saving pieces of aviation history from being destroyed.

[@brianwillson9567]

The mossie is one beautiful aircraft.❤❤❤❤

[@lyalljohnston5109]

Lived close to Omaka during WWII, our father served most of his wartime experience there. Never saw a Mossy but plenty of others. Mossy overrated? Ask the Germans, they didn’t think so. Read “Focus on Europe” by Ron Foster, Kiwi pilot with RAF and his war exploited and photo recon over Europe. Believe he survived over 90 sorties, many more than most. He lived to write the incredible story. Such a great friend now passed into memory.

[@wadeconnell1493]

I'm pretty sure that Mr. John Smith would be very happy to see that start up. How good would it to see this amazing aircraft flying a low run over Omaka. Stunning.

[@larrylewislarry]

Thanks for recording and posting your footage of a great day at Omaka. As the guy in the cockpit, I was stoked to see this online. If you’re ever back at Omaka, please let me know and we will arrange a close up tour of this very special aeroplane.

[@GBlanchy]

Hi Larry, wow yes that would be amazing. Mite arrange a time in November if possible as my brother lives in Perth and will be over visiting Omaka Aviation at some point on his trip

[@eddiepattisonhogg9917]

Bought the Tee Shirt, supporting the great legacy of J.S.Hope to get down there some day and see for myself. Was priviledged to talk to Glyn Powell some years ago when working for Chris Macmullin in his boatyard, Mt Wellington, Auck. Glyn was building the moulds that would enable the building of the first Mossie's since the war. It was a great experiance, the significance of which I did not fully realise at the time. Now we have seen Mossies flying in the Auckland area and then being shipped off to the States where they fly regularly. The pom's are spending millions doing the same thing so in a few years time there will be a great fanfare when these planes take to the sky.

[@MarsFKA]

Something to look forward to at Classic Fighters Omaka 2023?

[@GBlanchy]

Yeah pretty sure they will get it out every Omaka Show and do a start up and run

[@MarsFKA]

@@GBlanchy Excellent! I've had my Gold Pass on hold since the 2021 CFO was cancelled. Can't wait to finally use it next year.

[@robleary3353]

Those are two 'grumpy' old Merlins! Bugger to start, but once warmed up sound great!. Nuff said! 🙂.

[@russclifton2026]

So great a story.

[@AviationBlenheim]

how awesome i was there to!!

[@GBlanchy]

Nice, was good to see it start up. Now waiting for the P51 Mustang no doubt they will bring it back down to Blenheim when they get it going.

[@ex59neo53]

A melody in Merlin Major :)

[@GBlanchy]

Got to love a pair of Merlin’s. I was lucky enough to be invited back and climb up into the cockpit..

[@ex59neo53]

@@GBlanchy I once was invited to climb in a Spitfire cockpit ... was too large ... and devastated :p

[@GBlanchy]

@@ex59neo53 Gutted, if you like spitfires and Merlin’s check out my lastest vid.. Cheers

[@FlightProgramAborted]

TBH and it could just be the sound recording 9and i know Mosi’s have fuel airlock problems on start up, but neither sounded quite right, like there was still a bit of miss fire, they didnt quite get to that all cylinder hum

[@GBlanchy]

They don’t use the original fuel tanks they have put a little tank inside the undercarriage. If they turn it rite up it would only last couple minutes. They stretch it out for around 10 minute runs at a time

[@michaelgrey7854]

Such an overrated aircraft.

[@21jlxi]

And yet here you are!

[@gerrydepp8164]

I didnt see you in WW2...

[@sakkra93]

Not many aircraft can do countless different jobs and mission types and do them all well. You sound jealous.