Fourth Kiwi Mosquito test flew today

[MiTasol]

Took off with Steve Hinton at the controls at about 15:30 NZ time and test flight went well according to Steve. First time we have spoken in 52 years. Time flies. Photos courtesy of John Geary whose company Martin Aircraft made all the cables

 

[Capt. Vick]

Steve is finally starting to look old.

 

[GTX]

The Kiwis are building quite a strike force...

 

[MiTasol]

Steve is finally starting to look old.

If you knew how old he is you would understand why

 

[Crimea_River]

That makes 5 fliers now, with the one in Kelowna, BC being the only one not built by Avspecs.

 

[Gnomey]

Very cool!

 

[Wayne Little]

Excellent...!

 

[rochie]

good stuff.

hoping one comes this way soon!

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

Steve is finally starting to look old.

He reached an age a couple of year ago where he is no longer able to fly in the Heritage flights done by the US Air Force. His son took over those duties at that time.

Steve Hinton, Junior, Joins Heritage Flight Foundation Team | Aero-News Network

Air Race Champ, Speed Record Holder, and Jack-of-All-Trades Aviator Joins the Roster for 2022 The newest pilot to join the Air Force Herit| Published: Thu, Mar 10, 2022 | Aero-News Network

www.aero-news.net

Steve Jr. just flew in a Heritage flight in the P-38 just a few weeks ago. He only got checked out in it in late January or possibly even February.

Steve Sr. still does the Navy version of the Heritage flight but that time will be ending soon due to his age too.


Wheels

 

[A4K]

Awesome. Strange paint scheme, but I assume it will be repainted by the new owner.

 

[DDonSS3]

I remember reading recently (in another post?) that this scheme was the one the new owner was interested in. I can't remember the details.

 

[A4K]

Shame that. NZ2308 (ex YC-Z) was the aircraft that started this whole thing off, and I would love to have seen her in her proper RNZAF Silver dope scheme. Even John Smith's time capsule RNZAF Mossie was camouflaged after restoration.

 

[GreenKnight121]

Steve is finally starting to look old.

If you knew how old he is you would understand why

According to Wiki on April 1 he will be 72 - only 10years older than me, but he has put in harder miles - especially with that crash in 1979!

 

[MiTasol]

Interesting. I thought he was a couple of years younger. I knew his 21st was after I left Chino but not that much after.