Ex-RNZAF de Havilland Mosquito NZ2308 First Engine Run in New Zealand

The ex-RNZAF de Havilland DH98 Mosquito NZ2308, under long-term rebuild at Avspecs Ltd at Ardmore Airport, Auckland, New Zealand, edged a step closer to flight today. Maintenance staff fueled her tanks for the first time on February 23rd, 2024 and then conducted the aircraft’s first engine runs in almost 70 years. As is common with all airworthy restorations, it usually takes a fair bit of time from the first engine runs to the first flights, but it is a major milestone on NZ2308’s journey back into the air. However, it seems likely that we can now measure the time to that happy day in weeks, rather than months, or years. Footage via Avapecs Ltd.