Mosquito public debut, Wanaka, New Zealand, March 29th-31st 2024
Report by Peter and Kim Davison
WOW stands for ‘Warbirds over Wanaka’ the greatest warbird airshow in the southern hemisphere held at Easter on the South Island of New Zealand on even numbered years. WOW is also what many exclaim when the see this amazing restoration to flight of this de Havilland Mosquito the ‘wooden wonder’.
One of the most versatile combat aircraft of WWII. The aircraft was used as a light bomber, fighter-bomber, night fighter, maritime strike aircraft and for photo-reconnaissance. This example, NZ2308, was built by de Havilland Australia in Sydney in 1946 but almost immediately went into storage. It was purchased by the RNZAF and served with 75 Squadron until the 1950s before being declared surplus in 1955.
After being seen at Ardmore near Auckland on 14th March prior to the first post restoration flight the new owners, Lewis Air Legends agreed to allow a public debut at the Wanaka show prior to it being shipped to the USA. Ardmore based AVspecs are to be congratulated on this magnificent restoration.
It certainly stole the show hence this special feature on Airshow News in advance of the full show report currently in preparation.
