Enthusiasts Restore Historic WWII Mosquito Aircraft in New Zealand

A dedicated team of volunteers in Christchurch, New Zealand, is working tirelessly to restore the historic Mosquito HR339, a World War II aircraft that saw action over Germany. This project, led by Dag Guest, marks a significant effort to preserve a piece of aviation history, as the Mosquito is one of only a few remaining examples of its kind.

The de Havilland Mk VI Mosquito was built between 1940 and 1950, with more than 7,700 units produced for various roles, including bombers and fighters. Currently, only about 30 Mosquitos are left worldwide, with just five capable of flight. The restoration of HR339 is particularly meaningful as it is the last surviving aircraft operated by No 487 Squadron RNZAF and the only one flown by the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the conflict.

Guest, who is among approximately 30 volunteers at the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society, describes the Mosquito as “a very historically significant aircraft.” The Mosquito flew 31 combat operations from December 1944 to May 1945, during which it sustained severe damage from anti-aircraft fire while attacking a train in Operation Clarion. The aircraft belly-landed at an emergency airfield but was repaired and returned to service in April 1945.

After its military career, HR339 was flown to RNZAF Ohakea near Palmerston North in 1948. Unfortunately, the aircraft was written off following a taxiing accident at RNZAF Wigram. In 1952, it was sold to a farmer in Banks Peninsula, who dismantled it for transport to his farm. The remains of the aircraft were discovered in 1972 by members of the Aviation Historical Society, leading to its recovery by the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society.

Guest, a former aircraft engineer and furniture maker, faced skepticism about undertaking such an extensive restoration. “Advice from around the world was that there was no way I could repair that much damage,” he said. Undeterred, he embraced the challenge, stating, “That was like a red rag to a bull to me.”

The restoration process involves combining the fuselage of another Mosquito, NZ2328, with the wings of HR339 to create a single aircraft for static display. After 26 years of dedicated work, Guest acknowledges the complexity of the project. “The structural repairs are extremely complicated. As far as we know, there’s only one other person in the world who’s tackled wings as badly damaged as ours,” he explained.

Despite the lengthy timeline, Guest remains optimistic. He hopes to have the wings together within five years and envisions the Mosquito being ready for public display in about ten years, contingent on securing a new building for exhibition. The current state of Ferrymead Heritage Park adds a layer of uncertainty to the project’s future.

Guest’s journey to New Zealand began in December 1979 after he found himself caught in the turbulence of the Iranian Revolution. Following his evacuation to America, he retrained and worked on Bell helicopters. A holiday to New Zealand turned into a new life when he obtained a work permit and later permanent residency.

His wife, Carol, supports his passion for the restoration, viewing it as a constructive outlet. Guest transitioned from his furniture business to the aeronautical society in 1990, driven by his love for aviation history. He highlights the significance of the Mosquito, often referred to as the “Wooden Wonder” due to its unique construction primarily from wood, which was a valuable resource during wartime Britain.

The restoration of HR339 is a testament to the dedication of Guest and his team. They are committed to raising funds for a larger display space to house not only the Mosquito but also other historical aircraft, including the Vampire and Lockheed Hudson.

Guest expresses determination: “Provided I don’t go doolally, I’d like to keep going until it’s finished. What we want to do is get the airplane together and on display.” Donations of money or parts to aid in the completion of this ambitious project would be greatly appreciated as the team strives to bring this piece of history back to life.