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Two Rolls Royce Merlin V-12 Aero Engines Singing

Wrapped up inside a beautiful de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito

There's nothing like the sound of twin Rolls Royce V-12 Merlin engines in harmony, and it's even better when those engines are the powerplants in one of the world's rarest wooden aeroplanes -- the WW2 de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito.


Prior to undergoing a number of hours of test flying before being shipped back to the USA, the Mosquito also needed to have its engines thoroughly checked. With one engine already tested and shut down, the test crew run the starboard engine up to almost full power to see how well it behaves -- this is an awesome sound to hear at close range.  Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

If there's one thing that's vitally important before you take your newly rebuilt World War Two-era fighter aircraft to the skies for the first time, it's to check out the engines and to ensure they're in tip-top working condition -- even if it is a De Havilland Mosquito which famously made a 'rolling climb on one engine...' during its initial demonstration flight to Lord Beaverbrook in April 1941.

The Flying Heritage Collection's de Havilland Mosquito is the world's third airworthy Mosquito to be rebuilt since 2012, and is the second aircraft of its type to be restored by AvSpecs in Auckland, New Zealand.

TV959, a T Mk.III training aircraft with dual controls, was built at de Havilland's Leavesden factory and was delivered to the RAF in 1945 just a little late to see any active war service. However the aircraft was one of the stars of the famous 633 Squadron motion picture in 1964, and it then went on to be displayed in the Imperial War Museum in the UK for many years.

The colour scheme and Registration Number (NZ2337) of the aircraft as seen here is that of an RNZAF Mosquito that was destroyed in a hangar fire at RNZAF Base Ohakea in June 1950 when an inspection lamp fell into a drip tray full of oil. This is a temporary colour scheme while the aircraft was undergoing testing in New Zealand -- a new scheme will be applied later when the aircraft is back in the USA.

The Flying Heritage Collection was based at Paine Field, north of Seattle in Washington state (USA), and was a premier aviation attraction, with something of interest for visitors of all ages. Whether an individual, family or large group, FHC's exclusive offerings let you experience powerful history that changed the world.

In recent years the collection has been sold.


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