De Havilland Mosquito

The de Havilland Mosquito was a military aircraft that saw action in World War II with several allied air forces. It was a twin engine aircraft with the pilot and navigator sitting side-by-side. Unorthodox in design, it utilised a wooden structure when such construction was considered outdated. The Mosquito, although originally developed as an unarmed tactical bomber, was mostly used as a fighter due to its speed and agility. Its various roles spanned from nocturnal intercept and intrusion to diurnal long-range fighter-bomber. It was also widely used to mark targets for night-time strategic bombing.

The first Mosquito had its maiden flight only 11 months after design began. That original plane is currently undergoing complete restoration in the Mosquito Aircraft Museum in Hertfordshire, UK.

Technical information

Power plant

• two Rolls Royce Merlin 21 12-cylinder vee liquid cooled engines

Armament

• four 20 mm Hispano Mk 1 cannons
• four .303 Browning Mk II star machine guns

Performance

• max. speed 370 mph (595 km/h)
• cruise range 780-890 mls (1255-1432 km), according to altitude
• service ceiling 43500 ft (10515 m)

Dimensions

• span 54' 2" (16,51 m)
• length 40' 10" (12,44 m)
• height 15' 3" (4,65 m)
• wing area 454 sq ft (42,18 m²)

Weight

• empty 14300 lbs (6496 kg)
• typical loaded 18100 lbs (8210 kg)
• max. 20000 lbs (9070 kg)

Units manufactured (1940-1950)

• 7781 (1134 in Canada and 212 in Australia)