One of the last de Havilland Mosquitos will land in Kelowna Monday, June 6, 2022.

Image Credit: KF Areospace

A wooden-framed Second World War-era bomber will be calling Kelowna home.

KF Aerospace has announced it acquired one of the last de Havilland Mosquitos for its Centre for Excellence, a state-of-the-art aviation museum set to open later this year.

Known as ‘Mossie’ or ‘the Wooden Wonder’ this Second World War fighter-bomber boasts an unusual wooden frame, with a track record for hitting top speeds on decisive wartime missions and flying high in Canadian skies, according to a post from the aviation company.

Weather permitting, the bomber will depart from Vancouver International Airport, make a stop at Abbotsford Airport and arrive at Kelowna International Airport at approximately 11:15 a.m., Monday, June 6.

The aircraft will taxi to the KF Aerospace apron where it will be parked for a welcoming celebration and later stationed in the KF hangars.

The British designed twin-engine, two-seat, mid-wing bomber, the de Havilland Mosquito made its debut with the Royal Air Force in 1941. It was used as an Allied night-fighter against the German Luftwaffe and quickly became one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world, clocking speeds of more than 640 km/h, according to KF Aerospace.

READ MORE: Work moving ahead for Kelowna aerospace museum

Across European, Mediterranean and Italian theatres of war, the Mosquito proved to be exceptionally versatile. It served as a bomber, fighter, night-fighter, photo reconnaissance plane and even provided wartime cargo and passenger connections through enemy territory. A total of 7,781 aircraft were built, according to the aircraft company.

Of the 30 Mosquitos remaining worldwide, only a handful are still deemed airworthy and this one will arrive at the centre thanks to a five-year restoration project completed by Victoria Air Maintenance. The restoration was led by aircraft maintenance engineer and pilot Mel Johnstone and was made into a documentary film for the Knowledge Network.

The mid-size Mosquito will round out the centre’s war plane exhibit, nestled between the robust DC-3 and svelte Hawker Tempest MKII. Like the other war planes, the Mosquito is intended to be a live display.

For more information on the plane, visit KF Aerospace’s website.

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