The Build
At the start of 2018, The People’s Mosquito took the bold step to build RL249 in the UK, the Mosquito’s spiritual home. That decision was the result of a 12-month period analysing a unique and vast De Havilland technical archive. Every original De Havilland technical drawing has now been digitally preserved, assessed and catalogued.
The People’s Mosquito has the largest and most comprehensive collection of Mosquito-related technical data anywhere in the world. Records stretch from the development of the Mosquito prototype W4050, in 1940, through to late-life modifications made by BAE Systems in 1996.
Retrotec
To help realise that vision, in February 2018, the charity selected Retrotec Ltd, one of the world’s premier aircraft restoration providers, as lead supplier responsible for overseeing the restoration, testing and final airworthiness acceptance.
Retrotec’s reputation for the highest standards of authenticity is recognised all over the world. Under the expert guidance of Guy Black, Retrotec has established a reputation for delivering some of the most sympathetic aircraft restorations in the world over the past 20+ years.
Retrotec’s superb restoration of a 1918 De Havilland DH9
It is a fully accredited design and production authority, as certified by the UK CAA and has secured multiple awards for its exceptional work, including the Historic Aircraft Association’s prestigious Conrod Trophy in 2008/09. Guy Black was personally recognised by the Association in 2017, receiving the Darrol Stinton Trophy in recognition of his outstanding individual endeavour and achievement within the world of historic aircraft.
The Plan
Retrotec has designed a modular engineering plan of over 100 individual engineering design and manufacturing modules. These modules run in chronological order to build the aircraft. They produce, in order, the fuselage, wing and tail sections, electrical and mechanical systems, engine installation and propellers.
The fuselage moulds, painstakingly recreated by Retrotec using Jelatong, a modern sustainable hardwood
Testing
Each manufactured part has accompanying glue test pieces, which are used to confirm the strength of the glue. One piece is destructively tested; if the glue fails the test, then the part is scrapped.
The test pieces are stored for the life of the aircraft and can be inspected by the CAA if required.
