The story
De Havilland proposed an unarmed bomber made of wood, fast enough that it would not need guns, and the Air Ministry thought it was mad. The Mosquito went on to fly as a bomber, night fighter, fighter-bomber, photo-reconnaissance aircraft and pathfinder, and in 1941 it was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world. Furniture makers and piano factories built its balsa-and-birch fuselage. A handful fly today, every one a painstaking restoration.
The Mosquito's fuselage was built in two halves like a model kit, with the wiring and controls fitted while the halves lay open, then glued together.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Mosquito?
Two Merlins on a slim, graceful wing, a bulbous nose and a pointed tail. The whole shape is smooth because there are no rivets; it is wood under the paint.
What does a Mosquito sound like?
Two Merlins in close harmony, a deeper and richer version of a Spitfire's howl.
How fast is the Mosquito?
Top speed is 330 kts.
How many people does the Mosquito carry?
Typical configuration: Pilot and navigator side by side.
How far can the Mosquito fly?
Range is about 1,300 nmi.
How big is the Mosquito?
It is 41 ft 2 in long and 54 ft 2 in across the wings.
When did the Mosquito first fly?
Its first flight was in 1940.
How many Mosquitos have been built?
7,781 built.
What do crews call the Mosquito?
The Mossie.
How rare is a Mosquito in Bogey?
LEGENDARY. The top tier. Spotters plan trips around a catch like this. Your first Mosquito catch is worth 1,000 points.
