A second flying example of the World War II-era de Havilland Mosquito flew for the first time in 48 years as Reno race pilot Steve Hinton lifted off in the restored bomber on June 16 from Victoria International Airport on Vancouver Island in far western Canada.
The newly completed de Havilland 98 MK.35 is a bomber-only variant, built after the war and put in storage before being modified for civilian duty as an aerial survey platform. The maiden flight since restoration makes for only two airworthy Mosquitoes in the world, the other being Jerry Yagen’s Mossie based at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia.
The last of 7,781 Mosquitoes rolled off the production line in 1950. In all more than 30 variants were produced in Canada, Australia and England. Known as the “Wooden Wonder,” the airplane served vital roles in World War II.
With the successful first flight completed, the airplane has been handed over to its new owner, Robert Jens of Richmond, British Columbia.
