TA719

G-ASKC

De Havilland 98 Mosquito TT.35

ex TA719

Mosquito B.35 TA719 was built at Hatfield in June 1945 and delivered straight into store. It remained in store with various maintenance units with the exception of being flown to Brooklands Aviation Ltd at Sywell for a short period on 9th August 1951 before being returned to store.The aircraft was again delivered to Sywell on 15th August 1953 for conversion by Brooklands Aviation to a TT.35 including an ML winch fitted in the bomb-bay for banner and sleeve target towing. On completion it was delivered to 22 MU, saw its first use in its new role at 4 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit (CAACU) and from there was issued to 3 CAACU on 30th June 1954, coded 56. TA719 continued in service at Exeter until it was retired and flown to 27MU Shawbury 14.3.56 for storage for sale. Regd 8.7.63 (CofR No: R.7955/1) as G-ASKC to Peter John Thomas. Name amended 11.7.63 to Peter Frederick Malcolm Thomas. and returned to Exeter 11.7.63 (together with RS709 & RS712) for overhaul prior to delivery to Bovingdon 19.7.63. 6-month CofA issued 19.7.63. CofA expiry 18.1.64 (does not seem to have been renewed prior to forced landing 27.7.64 and perhaps operated on test-flight permits only)G-ASKC was flown to Bovingdon for the film 633 Squadron. Repainted 20/21.7.63 with the code letters HT-G and serial HJ898, G-ASKC flew extensively for the film including flight to Inverness 16.8.63 for filming over Scottish lochs. The fictitious 633 Sqdn serials/Codes were interchanged among the airworthy (and static) Mosquitos with HJ898 being worn by three at one time ! It returned to Bovingdon 17.9.63. Following completion of filming, it was delivered to Skyfame Museum on 16.10.63. There it was repainted as TA719 with the Code SY-G to represent an aircraft from 613 Sqdn. More recently, before repositioned into theAirSpace hangar, it was repainted in Target-Towing colours as per the Exeter CAACU days.