The de Havilland Mosquito was a British twin-engine bomber aircraft which was fielded by the Luftwaffe during World War II in the European and Pacific Theaters of Operations. Although it was primarily designed as a bomber, the Mosquito was a very versatile aircraft which could play different roles, such as long range reconnaissance, night fighter, day time bomber, and night heavy fighter aircraft. Among the many missions it accomplished during the war, the Mosquito also carried out night time fighter operations, flying as escort of RAF Bomber Command’s bomber fleets to reduce RAF bomber losses in 1944 and 1945.
The de Havilland Mosquito was designed by the British engineer Ronald Bishop between 1938 and 1939. The prototype flew for the first time in november 1940, entering active service in 1941. The Mosquito was manufactured by the British firm de Havilland Aircraft Company. Between 1939 and 1945, aproximately a total of 7,780 units were built in different variants. It was a fast, twin-engine, mid-winged bomber whose fuselage was made entirely of plywood.
Specifications
The de Havilland Mosquito F Mk II was propelled by two Rolls-Royce Merlin 21/21, liquid-cooled V12 engines, rating 1,480 hp each. It had a range of 900 miles and could reach a maximum speed of 370 mph at 21,000 ft. It had a rate of climb of 1,700 ft/minute and a service ceiling of 29,000 ft. This aircraft wingspan measured 54 ft 2 inches and the length 41 ft 2 inches. The crew consisted of pilot plus navigator. The armament of the Mosquito consisted of four 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannons, and four 7.7 mm Browning machine guns which were mounted in the nose. It could carried 4,000 lb of bombs.
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