The de Havilland mosquito was a plane that very nearly didn’t happen. It was conceived as a way of using basic British skills from the furniture industry in wartime. Secondly it used speed as its armament and had all heavy armour removed.  It was made from wood  and was powered by two Merlin engines that gave it exceptional flexibility. The Air Ministry was unconvinced until they saw the prototype fly.

Construction was  from two sheets of birch plywood sandwiching  a layer of balsa.

It subsequently was designed in 43 variants including:

Bomber,

Pathfinder,

Day & Night fighter,

Fighter Bomber,

Intruder,

Maritime Strike,

Photo Reconnaissance duties.

The Mosquito had a crew of 2 and could travel at over 400 mph. Later variants could also carry a 4000 lb cookie.

Luftwaffe attempts to counter the Mosquito were varied - but it was only with the advent of the Me262 jet that it found a real rival.

One of several famous attacks that inspired admiration for the mosquito was when Reichsmarshall Hermann Göering was to address a parade in Berlin. Three Mosquitos from 105 squadron carried out a low level raid on Berlin's main broadcasting station and stopped the broadcast.

Panels of  Fighter versions including a Nose Cone are in preparation.

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