Re: BHM Mosquito in MS-build

rsv1cox Wed Dec 11, 2019 5:27 pm

KariFS wrote:Great stories Bob! Stuff happens and we all learn from our (mis)adventures. Kudos for running 4 miles through snow to get the trusty Rambler to rescue the damsel in distress!

Probably closer to five.

At least a mile down to a bridge over the railroad tracks, jumped off the bridge missing the banking and into a drainage ditch. Breaking through the ice and up to my waist in water. Climbed up to the tracks (I knew these tracks like the back of my hand) three miles into town over an open tie bridge covered with ice, through town and down Epping street to my house. Not a car or person in sight. About the first of March 1956.

Waking no one I found Dad's keys and drove back finding my girl calm and collected. An hour or two alone at midnight deep into the wilds of New Hampshire at about 2 am. It was then that I realized that I had a winner.

Darn Jim, you started this thread almost 3 years ago and I have stepped all over it. Sad

Apologies - Bob

**944_Jim** Thu Dec 12, 2019 7:57 pm

Step all over it, Bob!
But please, find someone to take that twin Enya Mossie of yours up. You have to here the howl of two props whirling around a mere 50' away! I'd beg you for the maiden if I were within a hundred miles of you.

rsv1cox Fri Dec 13, 2019 7:03 am

944_Jim wrote:Step all over it, Bob!
But please, find someone to take that twin Enya Mossie of yours up. You have to here the howl of two props whirling around a mere 50' away! I'd beg you for the maiden if I were within a hundred miles of you.

Wish you were Jim, I have it and many others I would love to fly but dare not risk it. I "flew" two planes last Fall, one I crashed (Cox F4U Corsair) with little damage, the other a scratch built Ringmaster Jr. that managed to find a tree with repairable damage.

BTW my son also crashed a Triumph (Spitfire) with a girl riding shotgun on prom night at 16 racing a friend when he lost control and went through a bunch of saplings finally hitting a boat parked in a neighbors yard.

Nothing like being awoke at 1am...……………...Son in a white tux, girl in a white bloodied gown from a minor nose bump.

**944_Jim** Sat Dec 21, 2019 2:44 pm

Well, the end if another airframe. I'm still trying to process the flight conditions prior to the crash. I seem to remember a smoke or spray coming from the inboard engine, then a momentary sag before flame out.
I was just climbing into a pretty steep wing-overs, and then the plane sliding in to the center of the circle. I could NOT backup fast enough.
A significant amount of fuel remained in the inboard tank, and the muffler pressure line was loose. I think the line blew off, the pressure-bled fuel dump was what I saw, just short enough in time that the engine just quit and the plane rolled in.

Pics of the carnage:

BHM Mosquito. - BHM Mosquito in MS-build - Page 4 Img_2191

BHM Mosquito. - BHM Mosquito in MS-build - Page 4 Img_2192

BHM Mosquito. - BHM Mosquito in MS-build - Page 4 Img_2190

**944_Jim** Sat Dec 21, 2019 2:47 pm

An inspection the failed powerplant:

BHM Mosquito. - BHM Mosquito in MS-build - Page 4 Img_2195

BHM Mosquito. - BHM Mosquito in MS-build - Page 4 Img_2193

BHM Mosquito. - BHM Mosquito in MS-build - Page 4 Img_2194

Dave P. Sat Dec 21, 2019 3:49 pm

That's a darned shame, Jim. What a bummer. By the lack of dirt, looks like it hit pavement rather than grass. The good news seems to be that at least the engines aren't too badly damaged. Looks like the inboard didn't even scuff the spinner. Did you find both mufflers?

My dad always said that there are only two kinds of flying models, those that have crashed and those that are going to. Cost of doing business, I guess, but it doesn't make it any easier.

rsv1cox Sat Dec 21, 2019 3:51 pm

Ouch Jim! But the pilot survived. Cyril I.M. Luckyshire.

Maybe as Victor has said, fly over grass or better yet a wheat field.

That ain't going back together nicely.

Bob

GallopingGhostler Sat Dec 21, 2019 5:44 pm

It's sheet balsa, it is restorable. There are ways to put Humpty Dumpty back together again and get it flying again.

Oldenginerod Sat Dec 21, 2019 6:42 pm

Well, the pilot still seems happy with the results!

BHM Mosquito. - BHM Mosquito in MS-build - Page 4 Img_2110

Really, those sort of images of such carnage are never good. I guess twins are always going to be more of a risk due to a quit engine off-balancing the aircraft. Hope you can save some of it.

Rod.

roddie Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:03 pm

Sorry for your loss Jim. I am weary of my P38's maiden-flight.. for that same one-engine-out scenario happening. I'm hoping to minimize the risk by running L/H propellers on both Bee's.

I hope that you opt to repair yours. Best regards and Happy Holidays. Christmas Tree

**944_Jim** Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:46 pm

Thanks guys. I appreciate your support.

Well, the airframe has been stripped. I may go back for the pilot. The next thing is to clean up the engines, and remove the snapped muffler screws. Then they get put up until a bit later. Potential birds: Frog or Palanek Mosquito, or a reduced TC-Two, or BMJR/Paul Bradley Duellist.
I enjoyed flying it...even for all the engine-out issues.
I still have a couple of smaller planes that need bench time and flying.

You're not flying if your not crashing! Besides, I enjoy the build as much as the flight.

GallopingGhostler Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:30 am

Here's an interesting short 12 minute video on the history of one Mosquito. In battle damage even lost a wing panel and engine but made it home to England.

Those Mosquitoes were quite amazing.

rsv1cox Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:51 pm

Thanks for posting that George, when I was going through my Mosquito phase I looked up a lot about it, but I missed that excellent video.

GallopingGhostler Sat Mar 02, 2024 8:10 pm

Bob, you're welcome.

Just think, if @944_Jim had only lost one wing panel and engine, he would have been able to bring his Mossy home. Very Happy

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