The British De Havilland D.H. 98 Mosquito first flew in 1940 and became one of the fastest, far-flying, and most versatile World War II airplanes. The Mosquito served as a bomber, fighter, fighter-bomber, night fighter, reconnaissance airplane, and trainer. The Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum in Everett, Washington, has an example of this unique aircraft.
According to the Museum:
“In order to keep weight down, the speedy plane was constructed primarily of spruce, birch plywood, and balsa wood. This building method had the added bonus of preserving war-critical duralumin and steel for other military aircraft projects.”
The “Wooden Wonder” Mosquito was powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engines. It has a top speed of 378 mph, a range of 468 miles, and a ceiling of 33,000 feet. It carries four .303-caliber machine guns, four 20mm cannons, and four 500-pound bombs. More than 7,700 were built.
The Museum’s Mosquito was built in Leavesden, England as a training aircraft in 1945. Training Mosquitos were equipped with dual controls and could be flown from either side of the cockpit. The Museum’s Mosquito has been restored to have the appearance of the wartime FB.Mk.VI fighter-bomber.
Shown above are the bomb bay and the cannons.
Note: these photos were taken on July 11, 2024.
More airplanes
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum: Two World War II Japanese Airplanes (photo diary)
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum: America's first World War II Fighter (photo diary)
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum: The Hawker Hurricane (photo diary)
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum: Focke-Wulf 190 (photo diary)
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum: World War II German Messerschmitt Bf 109 E3 (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Bell P-39Q Airacobra (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (photo diary)
