Two Iconic de Havilland Mosquitos Will Take Flight at The 2024 Central Coast AirFest

From September 21-22, 2024, two rare de Havilland Mosquitos (FB.VI PZ474 and T.43 NZ2308) are set to take the skies at the Central Coast AirFest in Santa Maria, CA, offering a thrilling experience for aviation enthusiasts. At last year’s AirFest in October 2023, PZ474, owned by Charles Somers, was flown by Steve Hinton Sr. This year, organizers are planning a spectacular two-ship formation flight, marking the first time in more than 35 years that such an event has taken place. According to Geoff Goodall’s records, the last recorded Mosquito formation flight occurred in 1987, with John Sadler flying RR299 and George Aird piloting Mosquito B35 RS712 before RS712 was delivered to Kermit Weeks in the U.S.

The de Havilland Mosquito, known as the “Wooden Wonder,” was a British multi-role aircraft developed during World War II. First flown in 1940, it was unique for its all-wood construction, making it both lightweight and fast—an important advantage during metal shortages. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito became one of the fastest aircraft of its era.

The FB.MkVI Mosquito to be featured at the show, PZ474, was built at de Havilland’s Hatfield factory in early 1945. Bearing the RAF serial number PZ474, it saw service late in the European conflict with second-line units, including No.19 Maintenance Unit (MU) in Wales and No. 132 Operational Training Unit (OTU) in Scotland. After the war, PZ474 was placed in storage and sold to New Zealand in 1948 as part of an order of 90 Mosquitoes for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). Renumbered NZ2384, it served with 75 Squadron RNZAF until its retirement in 1953. Following several ownership changes and years of neglect, Rod Lewis of Lewis Air Legends purchased the aircraft in 2014, sending it to Avspecs Limited in New Zealand for a full restoration. The aircraft’s first post-restoration flight took place on January 13, 2019, with Steve Hinton Sr. at the controls.

The second aircraft, Mosquito NZ2308/ZK-PWL, was built in Australia and later sold to New Zealand. After logging over 475 flight hours, it was retired from service. Painted in a postwar 75 Squadron RNZAF silver scheme with wartime ‘D-Day’ stripes, NZ2308 became central to modern Mosquito restorations. Glyn Powell, the innovator behind the Mosquito airframe mold process, chose this aircraft as his personal project. While Powell passed away in 2019, he was able to experience a flight in another restored Mosquito before his death. NZ2308 was restored by Avspecs and the Mosquito Aircraft Restoration team for U.S. owners Rod Lewis and Charles Somers.

For more information about the event and to buy tickets, visit www.planesoffame.com

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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