De Havilland Mosquito engine run

[@deanebaunton8474]

The young fella in the mobility scooter is John Beeching. He is 100 years old and flew Mosquitos in 1944 and 1945. An absolute delight to talk to him today. He is a sharp as a tack, and I am in awe of what a young 22/23 year old achieved in WW2.

[@marknelson5929]

I bet he was fascinating to talk to. A few years back I got to know an English navigator on Mossies who served with RCAF 418 Squadron from its inception throughout the war - then various other Mosquito units till 1950 before emigrating to Australia. I've been fortunate to speak to many ex aircrew over the years like John Cunningham, Eric Brown, Bill Baird, Lee Patient etc due to my interest in the Mosquito. I hope John Beeching can be interviewed and a record made of his time with the aircraft?

[@MarsFKA]

2:11 I can see me! Cool! I'm on KZbin. It was an excellent way to spend a Sunday and the Mosquito is always a crowd pleaser. At the Classic Fighters Omaka 2023 air show, whenever the engines were run, the fans were seven or eight-deep along the fence. Star of the show and John Smith's legacy and memorial, right there. Without his vision and foresight, this piece of our history - as well as all the others that he saved - would have been lost.

[@ZacYates]

Well said, and I'm so glad I managed to catch you!

[@ozflyer1]

What a beautiful sound and sight.

[@pedtrog6443]

Some bright blue New Zealand skies as a backdrop

[@chrisclark9837]

I think this is correct but someone chime in if I have anything wrong. This plane was brought by John Smith(no joke) after the war. Apparently he went to Blenhiem to pick up a war surplus Mustang but as there were non available he was offered a Mosquito! He then trucked it to a small town in the top of New Zealand's South Island called Mapua. It sat outside and on the weekends he would fire it up until complaints put an end to that. Finally he built a shed over it where it sat with a Mustang, two Kittyhawks, Vampire tub and I think a Hudson fuselage along with tons of aviation related parts until a few years ago. On his death this Mosquito and a famous NZ P40 "Gloria Lyons" were returned to Blenhiem and restored for display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. I had the privilege of John letting me sit in the cockpit and I can say that seeing nothing forward of the screen, massive props inches from the fuselage and the broad cord of the wings give me goosebumps. God only knows what it was like the fly low and fast while four hispano cannons when off under your butt!

[@ZacYates]

That's right. John also had a couple of Harvards (one of which is being restored to fly in Auckland, the second Kittyhawk is under restoration to fly at Omaka, he used to fly a Tiger Moth which is now in taxiing condition (also at Omaka) and he also collected literal tons of all sorts of other aeronautical treasures. His Mustang flew again after restoration in November 2023 and is based at Ohakea. It's a real treat to see and hear the Mossie run - I think it did four engine runs on the day!

[@pauls.2526]

As an Irishman i live in New Zealand and am highly impressed at what fine vintage treasures to be found in New Zealand 🇳🇿 😊

[@calsurflance5598]

The Rolls Royce Merlin is such an amazing engine. But if you’ve got two, well then your just greedy! And in the Lancaster ( four), you are just becoming a hoarder! 👍👍😃

[@knightflightvideo]

Wow!! Awesome catch and sound of this very rare WWII warbird! Double thumbs up and Greetings from Germany! 👍😊👍

[@ZacYates]

Coming from you that means a lot KFV! Thank you very much!

[@knightflightvideo]

You are welcome mate! 😊