Mosquito

[PhilthySpud]

On 5/9/2024 at 10:01 PM, ZachariasX said:

I see metal inside:

 

Actually, most of the structure you can see in that photo is wood.

[ZachariasX]

On 5/16/2024 at 2:35 AM, PhilthySpud said:

Actually, most of the structure you can see in that photo is wood.

Of course. Wood composite is strong enough for structural load. It's some of the the hardpoints and the mechanics where metal is used. When you can distribute load, wood is great. But on point loads like joints, metal is used. Same as in the hinging and machanics of the bay door.

 

 

It sure flys well.
 

 

And I get the impression it rolls for practical purposes somewhere between 2-3 seconds for 90° bank at ~300 mph.

[R33GZ]

On 5/17/2024 at 6:04 PM, ZachariasX said:

It sure flys well.

Beautiful man. I could listen to a pair of merlins all day 😁

[Peachy9]

Note

 

mosquitos flown in South East Asia were vulnerable to heat and humidity weakening the laminate. This is why aggressive manoeuvres in this theatre were discouraged. I think there was a run of losses that led to this regulation which were related to manufacturing issues but made more dangerous by climate.

 

Not to say that this was common but any defect in the airframe would be enhanced by large temperature changes. This also resulted in many being painted a lighter colour.

 

This was a lesser problem in NW Europe. Overall structural failure due to manufacturing was still the bigger issue. I will dig out some reports to this effect later.

 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2024 by Peachy9
More info

[Peachy9]

From 211 sq records quoted in various sources:

 

Ultimately it was manufacturing of Mossies sent to SE Asia that allowed this ingress of water and lack of indoor storage. 
 

the shortage abd demand for Mossie airframes and the manual nature of assembly in various parts of the world that was also a key to variable build quality .

 

 

 

“It was eventually determined that the initial problems were the result of a combination of poor mate-up of some structural members, poor gluing practices and failure of glued joints, apparently most common among Far East aircraft after prolonged outdoor storage. It also appeared that swelling of the top skin could lead the securing screws to pull through.

Subsequent examination of European theatre aircraft found a much lower prevalence of joint defects, and no lifting of wing skins. Further investigation in India identified two main defects: the wing spar scarf joints, and the spar boom joints with the plywood skin and other ply members, leading to lifting of the upper surface plywood skin.

Consequently, Modification 638 was adopted: adding a spanwise plywood strip to seal the upper surface skin joint along the length of the front spar; along with application of protective aluminium dope overall (from February 1945). Despite these efforts, in the tropical conditions of the Far East the combination of heat and water soakage continued to give rise to swelling and shrinkage, resulting in spar defects until as late as 1954.”

[Peachy9]

From 211 sq records quoted in various sources (by Martin Bowman in most of his books 🙄)

 

Ultimately it was manufacturing of Mossies sent to SE Asia that allowed this ingress of water and lack of indoor storage. 
 

the shortage and demand for Mossie airframes and the manual nature of assembly in various parts of the world that was also a key to variable build quality .

 

“It was eventually determined that the initial problems were the result of a combination of poor mate-up of some structural members, poor gluing practices and failure of glued joints, apparently most common among Far East aircraft after prolonged outdoor storage. It also appeared that swelling of the top skin could lead the securing screws to pull through.

Subsequent examination of European theatre aircraft found a much lower prevalence of joint defects, and no lifting of wing skins. Further investigation in India identified two main defects: the wing spar scarf joints, and the spar boom joints with the plywood skin and other ply members, leading to lifting of the upper surface plywood skin.

Consequently, Modification 638 was adopted: adding a spanwise plywood strip to seal the upper surface skin joint along the length of the front spar; along with application of protective aluminium dope overall (from February 1945). Despite these efforts, in the tropical conditions of the Far East the combination of heat and water soakage continued to give rise to swelling and shrinkage, resulting in spar defects until as late as 1954”

 

nb this was the belief at the time, subsequently the manufacturing issue was considered to be the primary cause and faults were also found in the ETO but the failure rate was lower.

Edited June 4, 2024 by Peachy9