Kingston, Ontariode 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, three in the United States, one in Canada and one in New Zealand. Harold Skaarup web page and Wikipedia
Mosquito
BAE Systems (formerly De Havilland)
Wikipedia Mosquito
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
USAAF F-8 Mosquito Serial Numbers
Mosquitos shipped to Taiwanese Airforce
Mosquito NF.Mk. II HJ711
PA cockpit/forward fuselage, originally thought to be from HJ711, was held by the RAF Training Corps at Chingford c.1963. This was later found to be from an unknown FB.Mk. VI. It became part of the Reflectaire collection at Blackpool. When the artifacts were sold off in 1972, Tony Agar bought the Mosquito cockpit, which became the basis for a very long-term restoration using components from a number of other Mosquitos. The project moved from Agar's home to the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington in 1986. The restored aircraft, under the identity of HJ711, was moved to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby in 2017. First engine runs took place 22 Sep 2018.
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre- East Kirkby, Spilsby UK
1943-05-20 Taken on Strength 60OTU High Ercall GB 2024-04-16
1943-10-19 Transferred 141 Sqn West Raynham GB 2024-04-16
1943-12-01 Transferred 169 Sqn Little Snoring GB 2024-04-16
1944-03-15 Failed to Return Neu-Moresnet BE bomber support mission to Stuttgart 2024-04-16
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