Canadian Aviation Museum
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
July 29, 2023
Canadian Aviation Museum
De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito B.35 (KB161 a composite with TA661 registered CF-HMR). Mosquito Mk.20 KB161 was built by de Havilland's Canadian subsidiary in Downsview, Ontario. KB161 was one of the first five Canadian-built Mosquitoes to arrive at Hatfield, England in August 1943. Allocated to 139 Squadron at RAF Wyton, it took part in its first raid on December 2, 1943. This was an attack on Berlin flown by Canadian pilot GW Salter. In May 1944, returning from a raid on a chemical works at Mannheim, a target indicator flare was found to have lodged in the bomb-bay which caught fire. Only one pilot escaped and the Mosquito crashed. In 1976 the Anglian Aeronautical Preservation Society recovered remains of the aircraft, including part of the wooden frame, one engine and an armoured seat.
Mosquito B.35 TA661 was built by de Havilland Hatfield, following a period of storage at RAF Silloth, it was acquired by Spartan Air Services of Ottawa, Ontario in 1954 for photo surveying. On July 10, 1956 it made a forced landing due to an engine fire, at Pelly Lake airfield, Northwest Territories and was destroyed by fire. In 1996 the wreckage was recovered by Windsor Mosquito Bomber Group.
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Left to right: De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito B.35 (KB161 a composite with TA661 registered CF-HMR). All the plywood is brand-new, the fuselage came from Papakura, New Zealand but the wings were made entirely at the museum over many years. The aircraft is being restored to airworthy standards. Glyn Powell in 2002 had spent ten years building fuselage moulds. The Mosquito Bomber Group received first fuselage in return for payment and machine jigs built in Windsor.
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Left to right: De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito B.35 (KB161 a composite with TA661 registered CF-HMR). The Packard V-1650 Merlin is a version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engine, produced under license in the United States by the Packard Motor Car Company. Randy Schwartz (left) a former school teacher is working under Frank Greenwood's (middle) guidance who he says; "He knows everything about Rolls-Royce Merlin and Griffon engines." These engines are believed to be take-offs, which means they were removed after 8,000 hours for major servicing, a requirement by law, they are taken apart and rebuilt. These engines are 50 years old now, they were found in Manitoba, Canada. 18 years ago they were acquired by the museum, Currently mounted on an engine stand for testing, Frank said; "We have run it for 15 minutes, next time it will be for 30 minutes. We have flushed the engines, everything we have found so far has been good."
Fred is removing rivets from the elevators to take them partially apart and inspect them with a borescope camera to make sure there is no corrosion. "I hope it will fly we have regular inspections and take photographs at every stage. The decision will be made by other people, insurance being a major issue.", he admits.
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Left to right: Canadian Car & Foundry (North American) Harvard Mk.IV (20382 '382' registered C-FVIJ) Built in 1952. ex Royal Canadian Air Force.
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Left to right: De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunks (18017 '017' registered C-FCYR and 18054 '054' registered C-FBNM) ex Royal Canadian Air Force. With Canadian Historical Aircraft Association (Windsor).
Canadian Aviation Museum
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Left to right: Avro Lancaster B.X (FM212 'EQ-W') under restoration with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. It is one of 17 surviving Lancasters in the world, but only two are airworthy.
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Left to right: Boeing PT-17 Stearman Kaydet (41-25241 marked '3645 US Navy' registered C-FAPG) with Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.
Fairchild 24 Argus (C-FGZL marked '4809') with Canadian Historical Aircraft Association.
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Left to right: Fairchild PT-26A Cornell II (FV730 marked '10730' registered C-FCVP).
Fleet Fawn (261 CF-CEQ).
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Left to right: North American NA-64 Yale (3409, 64-2158) under restoration.
Lockheed CT-133 Shooting Star (133299) '50 years marks'.
Titan T-51 Mustang (C-FFMX) 'City of Winnipeg Squadron' built in 2006, a three-quarter scale replica of the P-51 Mustang that was designed by Titan Aircraft owner John Williams.