Volunteers at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum are counting down the final weeks of a major five year restoration project of an iconic Second World War aeroplane.

By November 25, the restoration of the prototype de Havilland Mosquito “Wooden Wonder” will be completed, just in time for a major celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of its maiden flight.

The aircraft will be displayed at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum at Salisbury Hall in London Colney, just yards from where it was not only designed but also constructed in special hangars.

Bob Glasby, the preservation project team leader, said: “We are making every effort to get the aircraft displayed for the 75th without compromising on the preservation quality.

“It will be in perfect condition for our guests and the public to see when we mark its maiden flight.”

The Mosquito project has benefited from a £41,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The prototype W4050 was the first of 7,619 Mosquitoes built.

The museum will be open to the public November 27, 28 and 29 and each day the W4050 will be rolled out of its hangar at 2.45pm, which was the same time it was rolled out of a hangar at de Havilland Aircraft Company’s Hatfield airfield base on November 25, 1940 with the company’s chief test pilot, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr, at the controls.

To find our more, visit the Museum’s website at www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk or email mikenevin@ntlworld.com