Profile – DH Mosquito

The Mosquito was a high-speed, unarmed bomber that became a high-altitude fighter, an intruder and a pathfinder. It was also used for courier service, training, meteorological research, target towing and photo reconnaissance. Philip Birtles reviews the development of this multi-role combat aircraft with its wooden structure and Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.

The Bomber Which Outflew the Fighters

The de Havilland Mosquito and the Rolls-Royce Merlin combined to produce the most effective and versatile aircraft in the Second World War. Indeed, it could be claimed that the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the Mosquito made it the first multi-role combat aircraft (a title that could have been given to Canberra had its potential been fully realised).

The Mosquito was originally designed as a high-speed unarmed bomber capable of out-flying any other aircraft and carrying a bomb load of up to 4000 lb. It had no protective armament and relied on its speed to avoid both fighter and anti-aircraft fire. It could carry a 4000 lb bomb while cruising at an altitude of 30,000 ft and at a still-air ground speed of 360 mph – the speed of a fighter at that time.

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