Mosquito (Total: 7,777, Canadian: 129, Group 129)

de Havilland Mosquito

(British Aerospace photo) (Source Bomber Command Museum of Canada)

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British twin-engine shoulder-winged multi-role combat aircraft, introduced during the Second World War. It was one of few operational front-line aircraft of the era whose frame was constructed almost entirely of wood. Nicknamed The Wooden Wonder, it was affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews. The total number of DH98 Mosquito aircraft built was 7,781, the type serving with the main Allied air forces, including both the United States and Russia.

When Mosquito production began in 1941 it was the fastest propeller driven operational aircraft in the world. The first variant was an unarmed, high-speed, high-altitude photo-reconnaissance aircraft. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito's use evolved during the war into many roles including low to medium-altitude daytime tactical bomber, high-altitude night bomber, pathfinder, day or night fighter, fighter-bomber, intruder, and maritime strike aircraft. It was also used by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) as a fast transport to carry small high-value cargoes to, and from, neutral countries, through enemy-controlled airspace. The crew of two, pilot and navigator, sat side by side, but a single passenger could ride in the aircraft's bomb bay when necessary.

The Mosquito FB Mk. VI was often flown in special raids, such as Operation Jericho, an attack on Amiens Prison in early 1944, and precision attacks against military intelligence, security and police facilities (such as Gestapo headquarters). On the 10th anniversary of the Nazi' seizure of power in 1943, a morning Mosquito attack knocked out the main Berlin broadcasting station while Hermann Goering was speaking, putting his speech off the air. Goering later said: "It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy. There is nothing the British do not have. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops."

The Mosquito flew with the RCAF and other air forces in the European, Mediterranean and Italian theatres. After the end of the Second World War Spartan Air Services flew 10 ex-RAF Mosquitoes, mostly B.35's plus one of only six PR.35's built, for high-altitude photographic survey work in Canada. There are approximately 30 non-flying Mosquitos around the world with five airworthy examples, four in the United States, and one in Canada. Harold Skaarup web page and Wikipedia

YouTube Mosquito

Museum BAE Systems (formerly De Havilland)

Wikipedia Wikipedia Mosquito

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications USAAF F-8 Mosquito Serial Numbers

Royal Canadian Air Force Mosquitos shipped to Taiwanese Airforce

Mosquito RL113, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL113

RL 113


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL114, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL114

RL 114


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL115, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL115

RL 115


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL116, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL116

RL 116


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-November-03 Accident Crash Collided with Lancaster TW908 at night 5m S of Selsey Bill Sussex

Mosquito RL117, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL117

RL 117


last update: 2025-May-09
   1948-September-13 Accident Crash Collided with VT612 and spun into ground near West Malling

Mosquito RL118, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL118

RL 118


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-October-22 Landing Accident Stalled on overshoot and wing hit ground Linton-on-Ouse

Mosquito RL119, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL119

RL 119


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL120, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL120

RL 120


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL121, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL121

RL 121


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-December-10 Take-off Accident Hit by RL267 while awaiting take-off Leeming

Mosquito RL122, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL122

RL 122


last update: 2025-May-09
   1948-March-08 Take-off Accident Swung on take-off and under carriage collapsed West Malling damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL123, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL123

RL 123


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL124, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL124

RL 124


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL125, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL125

RL 125


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL126, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL126

RL 126


last update: 2025-May-09
   1952-June-23 Landing Accident Overshot landing and under carriage collapsed Kabrit

Mosquito RL127, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL127

RL 127


last update: 2025-May-09
   1946-December-13 Accident Crash Both propellers feathered in error bellylanded at West Malling destroyed by fire

Mosquito RL128, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL128

RL 128


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL129, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL129

RL 129


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-August-18 Accident Crash Lost power and crashlanded 5m NE of Coltishall

Mosquito RL130, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL130

RL 130


last update: 2025-May-09
   1954-July-01 Struck off Strength

Mosquito RL131, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL131

RL 131


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-June-03 Take-off Accident Lost power on take-off bellylanded Coltishall damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL132, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL132

RL 132


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL133, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL133

RL 133


last update: 2025-May-09
   1953-October-12 to Maintenance 7030M

Mosquito RL134, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL134

RL 134


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL135, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL135

RL 135


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL136, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL136

RL 136


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL137, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL137

RL 137


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-September-20 Accident Crash Damaged
   1947-October-07 Struck off Strength

Mosquito RL138, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL138

RL 138


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL139, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL139

RL 139


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL140, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL140

RL 140


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL141, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL141

RL 141


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL142, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL142

RL 142


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL143, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL143

RL 143


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-February-04 Accident Crash Flew into sea recovering from dive and broke up Paston ranges Norfolk

Mosquito RL144, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL144

RL 144


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL145, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL145

RL 145


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL146, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL146

RL 146


last update: 2025-May-09
   1946-November-26 Accident Crash Engine lost power hit trees attempting to force land Berefteld Northants. damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL147, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL147

RL 147


last update: 2025-May-09
   1948-March-08 Accident Crash Both engines shut down in error crashed on boundary of West Malling

Mosquito RL148, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL148

RL 148


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL149, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL149

RL 149


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL150, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL150

RL 150


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL151, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL151

RL 151


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL152, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL152

RL 152


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL153, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL153

RL 153


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL154, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL154

RL 154


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL155, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL155

RL 155


last update: 2025-May-09
   1948-July-20 Take-off Accident Engine cut after take-off bellylanded Coltishall damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL156, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL156

RL 156


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-January-25 Take-off Accident Engine cut on take-off bellylanded Leeming

Mosquito RL157, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL157

RL 157


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL158, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL158

RL 158


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL173, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL173

RL 173


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL174, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL174

RL 174


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL175, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL175

RL 175


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL176, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL176

RL 176


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL177, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL177

RL 177


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-November-28 Take-off Accident Engine cut on take-off bellylanded and hit tree Wittering damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL178, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL178

RL 178


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL179, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL179

RL 179


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL180, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL180

RL 180


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL181, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL181

RL 181


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL182, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL182

RL 182


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-May-08 Accident Crash Damaged in accident

Mosquito RL183, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL183

RL 183


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL184, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL184

RL 184


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-November-14 Accident Crash Hit tree in circuit at night 2m E of Leeming

Mosquito RL185, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL185

RL 185


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-September-04 Landing Accident Wrong prop feathered on single-engined approach ditched Kabrit

Mosquito RL186, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL186

RL 186


last update: 2025-May-09
   1952-July-03 Landing Accident Engine ran away bellylanded at Anthorn

Mosquito RL187, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL187

RL 187


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL188, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL188

RL 188


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL189, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL189

RL 189


last update: 2025-May-09
   1952-September-26 Take-off Accident Engine cut hit tree on take-off Hemswell

Mosquito RL190, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL190

RL 190


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL191, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL191

RL 191


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL192, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL192

RL 192


last update: 2025-May-09
   1948-September-04 Accident Crash Flew into ground out of cloud 1m E of West Malling damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL193, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL193

RL 193


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL194, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL194

RL 194


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL195, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL195

RL 195


last update: 2025-May-09
   1952-November-15 Struck off Strength

Mosquito RL196, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL196

RL 196


last update: 2025-May-09
   1946-October-05 Accident Crash Hit shelter while being marshalled at night Linton-on-Ouse damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL197, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL197

RL 197


last update: 2025-May-09
   1948-December-13 Accident Crash Flew into high ground 1m E of Kettlewell Yorks.

Mosquito RL198, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL198

RL 198


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-April-21 Accident Crash Brakes failed while taxying skidded into Anson NK235 Tangmere damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL199, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL199

RL 199


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL200, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL200

RL 200


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL201, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL201

RL 201


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL202, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL202

RL 202


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL203, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL203

RL 203


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-September-19 Landing Accident Overshot single-engined landing and overturned West Malling

Mosquito RL204, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL204

RL 204


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-June-07 Landing Accident Lost height on overshoot and crashed 4m WNW of West Malling

Mosquito RL205, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL205

RL 205


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL206, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL206

RL 206


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL207, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL207

RL 207


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-July-12 Take-off Accident Hit cows during night take-off and under carriage leg collapsed West Raynham damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL208, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL208

RL 208


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL209, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL209

RL 209


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL210, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL210

RL 210


last update: 2025-May-09
   1950-February-01 Landing Accident Overshot landing at West Malling damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL211, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL211

RL 211


last update: 2025-May-09
   1952-May-20 Landing Accident Both engines cut bellylanded at Myrtou Cyprus

Mosquito RL212, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL212

RL 212


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL213, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL213

RL 213


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL214, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL214

RL 214


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL215, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL215

RL 215


last update: 2025-May-09
   1947-October-24 Accident Crash on night training flight Mailingwood Kent

Mosquito RL229, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL229

RL 229


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-September-25 Accident Crash Main spar hit by shell during ground attack practice damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL230, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL230

RL 230


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-October-18 Accident Crash Control lost in slipstream of target aircraft dived into ground near Pickbill Yorks.

Mosquito RL231, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL231

RL 231


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-February-08 Take-off Accident Engine cut on take-off under carriage raised to stop but overshot runway West Malling damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL232, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL232

RL 232


last update: 2025-May-09
   1946-April-16 Landing Accident Collided with RK972 on approach bounced on landing and spun into ground Tangmere

Mosquito RL233, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL233

RL 233


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-September-26 Struck off Strength

Mosquito RL234, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL234

RL 234


last update: 2025-May-09
   1952-August-12 Landing Accident Overshot landing and under carriage raised to stop Kabrit

Mosquito RL235, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL235

RL 235


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL236, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL236

RL 236


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL237, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL237

RL 237


last update: 2025-May-09
   1952-May-12 Landing Accident Swung on landing and under carriage collapsed Nicosia

Mosquito RL238, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL238

RL 238


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL239, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL239

RL 239


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL240, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL240

RL 240


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-May-29 Accident Crash Engine cut crashlanded near Kabrit

Mosquito RL241, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL241

RL 241


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL242, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL242

RL 242


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL243, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL243

RL 243


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL244, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL244

RL 244


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-February-01 Accident Crash Engine cut and second feathered in error forcelanded 1/2m W of Coltishall

Mosquito RL245, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL245

RL 245


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL246, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL246

RL 246


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-July-11 Landing Accident Lost power on approach and bellylanded Leeming

Mosquito RL247, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL247

RL 247


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-March-15 Landing Accident Engine cut on approach forcelanded 1m SSW of Leeming

Mosquito RL248, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL248

RL 248

Converted to NF.Mk. 38 prototype.
last update: 2025-February-05

Mosquito RL249, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL249

De Havilland

RL 249

Merlin 113

Assigned to 23 Sqn at Wittering 5 Dec 1946. On 14 Feb 1949, RL249 departed RAF Coltishall on a night gunnery training sortie with pilot Pilot Officer I. Richard Colbourne RAF and navigator Sergeant William Kirby RAF. Kirby was a BCATP graduate, getting his wings at Malton ON in 1944. Moments after takeoff, both engines failed and Colbourne force-landed in a grove of trees about 4 miles southwest of the airfield, near the village of Stratton Strawless. Colbourne, with a head wound and his clothes burning, extricated himself from the wreckage, but re-entered the cockpit to free Kirby, who was still trapped. He managed to do so with the assistance of a passer-by. Kirby had severe burns and other injuries, to which he succumbed the next day. Colbourne spent several months in hospital and was awarded the George Medal in July 1949 for his gallantry and selflessness.

As a result of the crash investigation, a modification was applied to all Merlin 113/114 engines. RL249 was partly destroyed by the fire, but the hulk was brought back to RAF Coltishall and left on the airport perimeter. Large components like the radar system and engines were salvaged. The remainder was used for airport fire training and by the 1960's had been burned and buried as the airfield layout was changed.

A group excavated the remains of RL249 in 2010. In 2017 The Peoples Mosquito Charity was formed to raise funds for the reconstruction of a Mosquito in the UK. Reconstruction process began in 2020 by the firm Retrotec, beginning with the fuselage molds and aided by Airbus Industries' donation of approx. 22,000 original De Havilland drawings on microfilm. Components of RL249 will be used in the rebuild, which will be an FB.Mk. VI, identity unknown. Civil registration G-FBVI reserved in 2019.

General Aviation Safety Network

Museum The Peoples Mosquito-Leicestershire UK

last update: 2025-February-05
   1945-December-29 Taken on Strength 2024-04-16
   1946-May-01 to Storage 38MU Llandow GB 2024-04-16
   1946-December-05 Transferred 23 Sqn Wittering GB 2024-04-16
   1949-February-14 Accident Crash Coltishall GB Cat. "E" flying accident-destroyed by fire 2024-04-16
   1949-February-28 Struck off Strength Coltishall GB 2024-04-16

Mosquito RL250, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL250

RL 250


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL251, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL251

RL 251


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL252, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL252

RL 252


last update: 2025-May-09
   1950-August-29 Landing Accident Crashlanded when engine cut on approach Church Fenton

Mosquito RL253, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL253

RL 253


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL254, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL254

RL 254


last update: 2025-May-09
   1948-August-24 Landing Accident Bellylanded after both engines cut Mildenhall damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL255, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL255

RL 255


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL256, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL256

RL 256


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL257, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL257

RL 257


last update: 2025-May-09
   1950-May-20 Accident Crash Flew into ground out of cloud at night 1m ENE of Sherburn-in-Elmet

Mosquito RL258, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL258

RL 258


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL259, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL259

RL 259


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL260, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL260

RL 260


last update: 2025-May-09
   1950-January-04 Accident Crash Abandoned when believed on fire 1/2m S of Catterick

Mosquito RL261, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL261

RL 261


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL262, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL262

RL 262


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL263, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL263

RL 263


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL264, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL264

RL 264


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL265, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL265

RL 265


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-January-21 Landing Accident Engine cut on approach bellylanded Leeming damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL266, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL266

RL 266


last update: 2025-May-09

Mosquito RL267, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL267

RL 267


last update: 2025-May-09
   1951-December-10 Accident Crash Taxied into RL121 at night Leeming damaged beyond repair

Mosquito RL268, NF.Mk. 36

s/n RL268

RL 268


last update: 2025-May-09
   1949-February-08 Take-off Accident Swung on take-off and under carriage collapsed Leeming damaged beyond repair