Here is the November/December 2009 report on our work on the Mosquito.

The first engine arrived this month and I am pleased to say it looks very nice.  They have maintained the stock look with the use of white cad plating throughout.  No travel damage evident.  We have mounted it onto the engine bearers, serviced and installed the fire extinguisher system pipework and manifold, overhauled and fitted the vacuum pump and pneumatic compressor.

We have moved the airframe into a new position in the hanger where it can stay through to completion.  We can lift it onto the jacks from this spot and fit the landing gear etc.

We have completed the rebuild of the port upper radiator shroud and leading edge assembly along with the upper radiator mount structure.  The mag. grounding leads have been installed onto both leading edges and the fuel cocks and associated cables and chain fitted as well.

We have completed the fabrication of the new engine control torque tubes and have installed these to the front face of the main spar as well. We have continued on the control system install and have fabricated the aileron drum guard and the installation of the inner aileron operating cables.

We have taken the opportunity offered by the warmer weather to cover the rudder.  It has gone very well and is now finished ready to paint. 

We have continued with the fuselage plumbing with the basic completion of the pressure transfer system that takes the exhaust from the vacuum pump, regulates the pressure, then diverts it to the outboard fuel tanks and the long range oil tank. The pipes weave their way along the left side through a selector valve and pressure regulating valve then the surplus vents overboard down by the tail.

Work has also continued on the original radio installation with the refurbishment of the aerial mast, the mount frame and mounting hardware for the gear that is installed in the rear fuselage. The support plate for the DF aerial has also been overhauled.

The landing gear nacelles and the rear hatch lids have been substantially finished although there are still a pair of skins required for both rear upper sections of the aft fairings and these will be completed shortly.

We have sourced a pair of air bottles of the correct basic size to use as the pneumatic storage bottles. They require some modification to the fittings but otherwise are good to go.

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