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considered outdated.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)