Mosquito (Total: 7,777, Canadian: 50, Group 50)
de Havilland Mosquito

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
BAE Systems (formerly De Havilland)
Mosquito Prototype serial W4050
s/n W4050
as/n E-0234
m/d DH.98
c/n 98001
de Havilland
W 4050
Merlin 21
Known Units: AAEE; Mkrs; R-R
First prototype Mosquito built in secret at Salisbury Hall near the main DH plant at Hatfield. Flown with "B-Condition" (trade-plate) marking E-0234 for the first two flights. Used by Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; de Havilland and Rolls-Royce. Fuselage cracked on 24 Feb 1941 while taxiing at Boscombe Down due to a faulty tailwheel. It was repaired on site using the fuselage from the 2nd prototype W4051, which in turn received the first production fuselage. W4050 became the primary development airframe throughout the war. Many modifications were tested, some of which included an extended tailplane, lengthened engine nacelles, a variety of engine exhausts, dummy gun turret (for drag testing), extended wings and 4-blade propellers. Fitted with Merlin 61 engines in Oct 1941 and returned to testing in Jun 1942, it reached 40,000 feet on its second flight. Merlin 77 engines were then installed and in Nov 1942, W4050 achieved a true airspeed in level flight of 437 mph (also reported as 439 mph) at 29000 feet, the highest speed ever reached by any Mosquito, and at the time the fastest of any operational Allied aircraft.W4050 made its last flight in Dec 1943. Shortly after it was sent back to Hatfield to be used for technical training. It was used in the 1945 film "The Mosquito Story" and then sent to Salisbury Hall, which became the de Havilland Aeronautical school. Although destined for scrapping, it was stored surreptitiously by W.J.S. Baird, then de Havilland assistant public relations manager, at a number of locations including Hatfield, Panshanger, and Chester. The new owner of Salisbury Hall, Maj. Walter Goldsmith, learned of the de Havilland connection and raised funds to erect a hangar and have W4050 re-assembled there. On display as of 15 May 1959 at the Mosquito Aircraft Museum, which became the de Havilland Heritage Centre, now called the de Havilland Aircraft Museum. W4050 is said to be the only surviving 2nd World War aircraft prototype in the world. An initial static restoration was done between 2001-2003. A more complete restoration was done between 2011-2015, including one engine running.
De Havilland Aircraft Museum -London Colney UK
last update: 2025-February-05
1941-February-23 Taken on Strength at A&AEE, Boscombe Down 2024-03-19
1944-March-18 Transferred to DH Hatfield for apprentice training 2024-03-19
1947-June-21 Struck off Strength ; stored although designated for scrapping 2024-03-19
1959-May-15 Museum / Display London Colney GB at the new Mosquito Aircraft Museum 2024-08-16
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4051
s/n W4051
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4051
Known Units: AAEE; PRU; 1PRU; 521; 540; 8OTU
PR.1 prototype, Merlin 21 engines. Used by Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 521 Squadron; 540 Squadron; 8 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1945-June-22 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4052
s/n W4052
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4052
Known Units: Mkrs; AAEE; FIU; Mkrs
F.II prototype, Merlin 21 engines. Used by de Havilland and Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; Fighter Interception Unit; de Havilland.last update: 2025-February-05
1946-November-26 Struck off Strength
Mosquito T.Mk. III serial W4053
s/n W4053
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4053
Merlin 21
Known Units: Mkrs; 16OTU
Turret fighter. T.III prototype, Merlin 21 engines. Used by de Havilland; 16 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4054
s/n W4054
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4054
Known Units: Mkrs; AAEE; 1PRU; 540
Used by de Havilland and Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 540 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-28 Photo Reconnaissance Trondheim Failed to Return
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4055
s/n W4055
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4055
Known Units: 1PRU
Used by 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1941-December-04 Photo Reconnaissance Trondheim Failed to Return
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4056
s/n W4056
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4056
Known Units: 1PRU
Used by 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-April-02 Photo Reconnaissance Trondheim Failed to Return
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4057
s/n W4057
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4057
Known Units: AAEE; Mkrs
Bomber prototype. B.V, Merlin 21 engines. Used by Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down and de Havilland.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-September-26 Struck off Strength
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4058
s/n W4058
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4058
Known Units: 1PRU; 1PRU
Used by Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-October-17 Photo Reconnaissance Oslo Failed to Return
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4059
s/n W4059
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4059
Known Units: 1PRU; 1PRU; 540; 8OTU
Used by 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 540 Squadron; 8 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-20 Struck off Strength
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4060
s/n W4060
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4060
Known Units: AAEE; 1PRU; 540
Used by Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 540 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-February-20 Photo Reconnaissance Bergen Failed to Return
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4061
s/n W4061
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4061
Known Units: 1PRU; 540; 8OTU; 8OTU
Used by 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 540 Squadron; 8 Operational Training Unit; 8 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4062
s/n W4062
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4062
Known Units: 1PRU; 69
Used by 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 69 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito PR.Mk. I serial W4063
s/n W4063
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4063
Known Units: 1PRU; 69
Used by 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit; 69 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-March-31 Accident Crash Damaged by Bf 109s and crash-landed at Luqa (Malta). 2019-08-20
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4064
s/n W4064
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4064
Known Units: 105
Used by 105 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-May-31 Accident Crash Hit by flak over Cologne and crash-landed, Bazel, Netherlands. 2019-08-20
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4065
s/n W4065
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4065
Known Units: AFDU; 105
Used by 105 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-August-19 Failed to Return Bremen
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4066
s/n W4066
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4066
Known Units: 105; 8OTU
Used by 105 Squadron; 8 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4067
s/n W4067
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4067
Known Units: RAE; Mkrs; AAEE; 1PRU
Used by Royal Aircraft Establishment and de Havilland; Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-July-27 Photo Reconnaissance Bergen and Stavanger Failed to Return
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4068
s/n W4068
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4068
Known Units: 105
Used by 105 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-June-01 Failed to Return Cologne
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4069
s/n W4069
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4069
Known Units: 105
Used by 105 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-July-16 Failed to Return Wilhelmshaven
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4070
s/n W4070
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4070
Known Units: 105
Used by 105 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-August-27 Accident Crash Hit sea and sank on return from Vegesack 5430N:0600E
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4071
s/n W4071
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4071
Known Units: 105; 1655CU; 192
Used by 105 Squadron; 1655 Conversion Unit; 192 Squadron. 18-4-1945, To 14 Maintenance Unit; no further trace.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito B.Mk. IV serial W4072
s/n W4072
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4072
Known Units: 105; 1655CU; 105; 1655MTU; 627
Used by 105 Squadron; 1655 Conversion Unit; 105 Squadron; 1655 Mosquito Training Unit; 627 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4073
s/n W4073
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4073
Known Units: AAEE; 157; 464; 21
Second turret fighter prototype, converted to T.Mk. III, Merlin 21. Used by Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; 157 Squadron; 464 Squadron; 21 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4074
s/n W4074
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4074
Known Units: RAE; 141; 239
First production F.II (single control), Merlin 21 engines. Used by Royal Aircraft Establishment; 141 Squadron; 239 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4075
s/n W4075
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4075
Known Units: 105; 1655MTU
Converted to T.Mk. III, used by 105 Squadron; 1655 Mosquito Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1944-February-23 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4076
s/n W4076
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4076
Known Units: AAEE; 60OTU; 141; 169; 239; 1692 Flt; 54OTU
Used by Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; 60 Operational Training Unit; 141 Squadron; 169 Squadron; 239 Squadron; 1692 Flt; 54 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1945-June-05 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4077
s/n W4077
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4077
Known Units: 151; 4; 613; 54OTU
converted to T.Mk. III, used by 151 Squadron; 4 Squadron; 613 Squadron; 54 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1945-March-12 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4078
s/n W4078
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4078
Known Units: 157; 239
Used by 157 Squadron; 239 Squadronlast update: 2025-February-05
1944-September-30 to Maintenance 4880M
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4079
s/n W4079
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4079
Known Units: 157; RAE; 51OTU
Used by 157 Squadron; Royal Aircraft Establishment; 51 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1944-November-29 Landing Accident on overshoot Cranfield
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4080
s/n W4080
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4080
Known Units: 157; 264
Used by 157 Squadron; 264 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4081
s/n W4081
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4081
Known Units: 264; 307; 157; 51OTU
Used by 264 Squadron; 307 Squadron; 157 Squadron; 51 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1946-February-28 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4082
s/n W4082
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4082
Known Units: 157; 85; 157
Used by 157 Squadron; 85 Squadron; 157 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1944-April-07 to Maintenance 4408M
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4083
s/n W4083
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4083
Known Units: 264
Used by 264 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4084
s/n W4084
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4084
Known Units: 157; 60OTU; 141; 239
Used by 157 Squadron; 60 Operational Training Unit; 141 Squadron; 239 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4085
s/n W4085
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4085
Known Units: 157; 141; 169; 141; 54OTU
Used by 157 Squadron; 141 Squadron; 169 Squadron; 141 Squadron; 54 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1945-May-30 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4086
s/n W4086
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4086
Known Units: 264; 60OTU
Used by 264 Squadron; 60 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4087
s/n W4087
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4087
Known Units: 157; 1422 Flt
Used by 157 Squadron; 1422 Flightlast update: 2025-February-05
1946-January-30 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4088
s/n W4088
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4088
Known Units: 157; AAEE; 51OTU
Used by 157 Squadron; Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; 51 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4089
s/n W4089
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4089
Known Units: 1PRU
Converted to PR.II after delivery. Used by 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-July-12 Photo Reconnaissance Strasbourg and Ingolstadt Failed to Return
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4090
s/n W4090
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4090
Known Units: 151; AAEE
Used by 151 Squadron; Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down.last update: 2025-February-05
1945-May-29 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4091
s/n W4091
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4091
Known Units: 157; 264; 307; 264
Used by 157 Squadron; 264 Squadron; 307 Squadron; 264 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-20 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4092
s/n W4092
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4092
Known Units: 157; 239; 1692 Flt; 54OTU
Used by 157 Squadron; 239 Squadron; 1692 Flight; 54 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1945-June-13 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4093
s/n W4093
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4093
Known Units: 157
Used by 157 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-December-23 Accident Crash Engine cut on air test. Aircraft crash landed in field, Hampstead, near Castle Combe. 2019-08-20
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4094
s/n W4094
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4094
Known Units: 157
Used by 157 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-July-14 to Maintenance 3872M
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4095
s/n W4095
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4095
Known Units: 151
Used by 151 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4096
s/n W4096
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4096
Known Units: AAEE; 60OTU; 13OTU
Used by Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; 60 Operational Training Unit; 13 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1945-April-05 Landing Accident on landing Finmere
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4097
s/n W4097
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4097
Known Units: 151; 455; 141; 239; 51OTU
Used by 151 Squadron; 455 Squadron; 141 Squadron; 239 Squadron; 51 Operational Training Unit.last update: 2025-February-05
1944-December-27 Struck off Strength Struck off strength. 2019-08-20
1944-December-27 Struck off Strength
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4098
s/n W4098
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4098
Known Units: 157
Used by 157 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05
1943-August-31 to Maintenance 4107M
Mosquito NF.Mk. II serial W4099
s/n W4099
m/d DH.98
de Havilland
W 4099
Known Units: 157
Used by 157 Squadron.last update: 2025-February-05