deHaviland Mosquito
Model Airplane News Cover Art for April, 1943
by Jo Kotula
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The British de Havilland Mosquito was a superbly versatile fighter/bomber during the Second World War. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito adapted to many other roles during the air war where it saw service in the European theatre, the Pacific theatre of Operations and the Mediterranean Theatre, including: low to medium altitude daytime tactical bomber, high altitude night bomber, pathfinder, day or night fighter, fighter-bomber, intruder, maritime strike and fast photo reconnaissance aircraft. It was also used as the basis for a single-seat heavy fighter, the de Havilland Hornet. When the Mosquito went into production in 1941, it was the fastest operational aircraft in the world. The Mosquito was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also known as "The Wooden Wonder" or "The Timber Terror" as the bulk of the aircraft was made of laminated plywood.

  

deHaviland Mosquito
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Entering widespread service in 1942 the Mosquito supported RAF strategic night fighter defence forces in the United Kingdom from Luftwaffe raids. On offense, the Mosquito units also conducted night time fighter sweeps to protect RAF Bombers. The Mosquito shot down so many German night fighters that the Luftwaffe awarded two victories for shooting down one Mosquito. As a bomber it also took part in "special raids", such as pinpoint attacks on German intelligence and security force bases as well as tactical strikes in support of the British Army in the Normandy Campaign. Some Mosquitos also saw action attacking German U-Boat and transport ship concentrations

Here is a video of the deHaviland Mosquito in action:

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