de Havilland Mosquito (1941 - 1955)

FOR PHOTOS CLICK ON THUMBNAILS

The DH 98 Mosquito was remarkable both in terms of performance and construction. It was designed as a private venture in 1938 and constructed mainly of wood. As a bomber it was to be unarmed and when it entered service in 1941 it was (and remained to 1944) the fastest aircraft operated by the RAF. In its bomber and reconnaissance forms it flew with no defensive armament. On 1 March 1940 specification B.1/40 was issued to cover development of the bomber variant, while specification F.21/40 covered the simultaneous development of the design as a fighter.

The Mark I prototype W4050 flew in the manaufacturer's markings E-0234 on 25 November 1940 from Hatfield. The first aircraft of nine designated for the unarmed reconnaissance role (W4051) flew on 10 June 1941 and the type entered service with the Photographic Development Unit. In common with the NF Mark II the variant was no longer in service by 1946. The NF Mark II was similar to the reconnaissance version except for the addition of four 20mm cannon and four .303in machine guns in the nose. In service the Mosquito night fighter was also fitted with the AI Mk IV radar. The prototype, W4052, flew on 25 May 1941 and like the other early machines it was powered by the Merlin 21. 466 were built and it entered service with 157 Sqn in January 1942.

mosquitoPR Mk I W4059 LY-Y of 1 PRU

mosquitoNF Mk II DZ238 "Babs" YP-H of 23 Sqn

Mark III The Mark III was a dual control variant without armament. The prototype was a converted NF Mk II which flew on 30 January 1942 and first deliveries were to the Mosquito Training Unit in September 1942. The T Mk III remained in service until 1955.
Service (post-1945) Training 6, 13, 16, 54, 132 OTU; 226, 228, 231, 237 OCU; 204 AFS; 21 (P)AFU; BCIS; CFS; EFS; FCITS; 4 FP; 1689 Flt; 13, 19, 23, 25, 29, 33, 39, 41, 45, 58, 64, 81, 98, 107, 109, 114, 138, 199, 219, 264, 266, 500, 502, 504, 605, 608, 609, 616 Sqns: 728, 762, 780 NAS Communications FCCS; FETS; FTU; 1 FU; HCCS; HCEU; IAM; Acklington, Lubeck, Sylt APS; 1, 3, 3/4 CAACU; Coltishall, Hahn, Hemswell, Leuchars, Linton on Ouse, Tangmere, West Malling, Wittering SFs: FRU

mosquitoT Mk III TV981 of 1689 Flt

B Mark IV This was the first bomber version to go into service and the protoype (W4072) flew on 8 September 1941. Unarmed, it carried one 1,000lb bomb and two 500lb bombs for 1,200 miles at 380 mph. The first nine aircraft were series 1 while the balance of 300 series 2 machines had extended engine nacelles. Service entry was with 105 Sqn in May 1942.
Service (post 1945) Training 16 OTU

mosquitoB Mk IV MM417 EG-T of 487 Sqn

The PR Mark IV were converted B Mk IV (27 aircraft) to take cameras.

mosquitoPR Mk IV DZ383 (Crown Copyright)

The B Mark V was a proposed development of the Mk IV with underwing pylons for 500lb bombs. It was not pursued. Neither was the PR Mark V variant.

FB Mark VI The Mark VI was developed from the NF Mk II but with provision for four 250lb bombs (series 1) in addition to the eight gun armament or four 500lb bombs (series 2). Alternatively extra fuel could be carried. Series 2 aircraft also featured the Merlin 25 engine. The prototype was HJ662 a converted NF Mk II (DZ434/G) which first flew on 1 June 1942. First unit equipped with the FB Mk VI was 418 Sqn from May 1943 and the variant remained in service as the light bomber mainstay in occupied Germany until 1950.
Service (post 1945) Fighter-bomber 4, 8, 11, 14, 18, 21, 36, 39, 45, 47, 69, 82, 84, 107, 110, 114, 211, 248, 268, 305 Training 201, 204 AFS; CFS; CGS; EAAS; EAS; 228, 231, 237 OCU; 6, 13, 16, 51, 54, 132 OTU; RAFFC: 700, 703, 751, 762, 771, 773, 780, 787, 790 NAS Communications APC Acklington, Sylt; BAFOCS; FCTTS; 3 FP; 1, 12, 16 FU; 2 GpCS; 216 GpCF; NEICS; OFU; 2 APS; Buckeburg, Northolt, North Creake, Pershore SFs: 811 NAS Other 1300 Met Flt; AFDS; ASWDU; ATDU; BSDU; CFE; ETPS; RWE; TFU

mosquitoB Mk VI HB405 NE-A of 143 Sqn

The B Mark VII was the Canadian version of the B Mark IV with a Packard Merlin 31.

mosquitoB Mk VII KB303

The PR Mark VIII was similar to the PR Mk IV but with the Merlin 61. Five were built.

mosquitoPR Mk VIII prototype DK324 (Crown Copyright)

The PR Mark IX was similar to the PR Mk VIII but with Merlin 72 engines and as such higher flying capability. The prototype (DZ570) flew on 24 March 1943 and the version joined 540 Sqn in April 1943.

mosquitoPR Mk IX MM230 unit unknown

The NF Mark X was an intended NF Mk II development with the Merlin 61 engine, while the FB Mark X was an intended FB Mk VI development with the Merlin 101 engine. Neither was produced. The FB Mark XI was an intended development of the FB Mk VI with the Merlin 61.

NF Mark XII The Mark XII was similar to the NF Mk II but with the machine guns removed and the AI radar Mk VIII. Prototype was DD715 (August 1942) and 97 were built.
Service (post 1945) Miscellaneous CFE

mosquitoNF Mk XII HK117 with AIMk8 radar (Crown Copyright)

The NF Mark XIII was similar to the NF Mk XII but with auxiliary underwing tanks.

mosquitoNF Mk XIII HK382 RO-T of 29 Sqn

The NF Mark XIV was an intended development of the NF Mk XIII but with the Merlin 67. The NF Mark XV was a specialised high-altitude conversion of the NF Mk XIII with the Merlin 61. The five built served with 85 Sqn during the war, operating at heights up to 44,600ft.

mosquitoNF Mk XV prototype MP469

B Mark XVI This was a pressurized high-altitude bomber version of the PR Mk IX. The armament was confined to one 4,000lb bomb or six 500lb bombs in a bulged bomb bay in addition to two 100gal drop tanks. 400 were built and it remained in widespread service for some time after 1946.
Service (post 1945) Light bomber 14, 69, 98, 105, 109, 114, 128, 139, 180, 256 Training EANS; 231 OCU; 13, 16, 54 OTU Other 680, 684 Sqns; 1409 Flt; CBE; CSE; RWE

mosquitoB Mk XVI ML983 8K-K of 571 Sqn

PR Mark XVI The Mark XVI was similar to the PR Mk IX but with a pressurized cockpit. Prototype MM258 flew in July 1943 and 499 were built of which 79 were supplied to the USAAF.
Service (post 1945) Photo-reconnaissance 13; 1340 Flt Training 703, 728, 772, 772, 790 NAS; FRDU

mosquitoPR Mk XVI NS502/M probably 140 Sqn

The NF Mark XVII was a NF Mk II conversion fitted with US AI radar.

mosquitoNF Mk XVII DZ659 ZQ-H of the Fighter Interceptor Unit (Crown Copyright)

The FB Mark XVIII was a development of the FB Mk VI with a 57mm Molins gun in the fuselage replacing the four cannon. 27 FB Mk VI conversions were completed.

mosquitoFB Mk XVIII PZ468 QM-D 254 Sqn (Crown Copyright)

NF Mark XIX The Mark XIX was similar to the NF Mk XIII but with US AI Mk 10 radar fitted in a more bulbous nose. Prototype was DZ659 (April 1944) and 220 were built; it entered service with 157 Sqn in May 1944.
Service (post 1945) Night-fighter 89, 255, 256, 500 Training 1653, 1660, 1668 HCU; 230 OCU; 54 OTU Communications 176

mosquitoNF Mk XIX MM652 (Crown Copyright)

B Mark XX This was a Canadian version of the B Mk IV fitted with the Packard Merlin 31/33.
Service (post 1945) Training 16 OTU Communications 162; ADLSS Other TFU

mosquitoB Mk XX MM652 (Crown Copyright)

The FB Mark 21 was the Canadian equivalent of the FB Mk VI fitted with the Packard Merlin 31/33. Only three were built. The T Mark 22 was an FB Mk 21 dual control conversion. The B Mark 23 was an intended Canadian equivalent of the B Mk IX. The FB Mark 24 was an intended high altitude version of the FB Mk 21.

B Mark 25 The Mark 25 was another Canadian variant, this time a B Mk XX with Merlin 225 engines delivering 1,620 hp. Of the 400 built, the majority were delivered to the RAF.
Service (post 1945) Light bomber 139, 502 Training EANS; 16 OTU;: 700, 728, 762, 771, 772 Communications 162 Other CFE; NFRU

mosquitoB Mk 25 KB471

FB Mark 26 The Mark 26 was similar to the FB Mk 21 but with the Packard Merlin 225 engine. Most of the 337 built were used by the RAF in the Middle East.
Service (post 1945) Fighter-bomber 55, 249 Communications 39; 1 FU Other CBE

mosquitoB Mk 26 KA154 of 55 Sqn Hassani 1946

The T Mark 27 was similar to the T Mk 22 but with the Packard Merlin 225. The Mark 28 was an unused Canadian mark number.

T Mark 29 The Mark 29 was a dual control version of the FB Mk 26.
Service (post 1945) Training 64, 65, 151, 264; 3 FP Communications Linton on Ouse SF

mosquitoT Mk 29 KA117 (Crown Copyright)

NF Mark 30 This was a development of the NF Mk XIX but with two-stage Merlin 72 and later, Merlin 76 and 113 engines. It was an unpressurised night fighter with AI Mk 8 or 10 radar the prototype of which (MM686) first flew in March 1944; it served for some years post-war.
Service (post 1945) Night fighter 23, 25, 29, 39, 85, 151, 219, 255, 264, 307, 500, 502, 504, 605, 608, 609, 616 Training CFE; 228 OCU; 8, 54 OTU Other CSE; RAE; RWE; TFU

mosquitoNF Nk 30 NT508 RAW-E of 616 Sqn

The NF Mark 31 was an intended Packard Merlin 69 variant of the NF Mk 30. The PR Mark 32 was a high altitude lighter version of the PR Mk XVI with extended wing tips. Five were built, all flying with 540 Sqn until November 1945.

mosquitoPR Mk 32 NS589 of 540 Sqn (Crown Copyright)

TR Mark 33 The Mark 33 was the first specialised naval version built as a carrier-borne torpedo reconnaissance aircraft. It was a variant of the FB Mk VI designed to specification N.15/44 and it was fitted with tail hook, folding wings, four-blade propellors, provision for JATO and thimble radome to take ASH radar. The prototype (LR359), a partly converted FB Mk VI, flew on 25 March 1944 while the first of 50 production aircraft, TW227, flew on 10 November 1945.
Service Anti-shipping 811 NAS Training 739, 751, 762, 771, 790 NAS Trials 703, 778, 787 NAS Other 771 NAS

mosquitoTR33 TW281 of the Fleet Air Arm

PR Mark 34 The war in the Far East called for a long-range version of the Mosquito and resulted in the PR Mk XVI with extra fuel in a bulged fuselage and wing drop tanks; range was 3,600 miles. The first production aircraft flew on 4 December 1944. Equipment included four F.52 vertical and one F.24 oblique cameras.
Service Photo-reconnaissance 13, 58, 81, 540, 541, 680, 681, 684 Training 231, 237 OCU; 8 OTU Electronic warfare 192; CSE Trials APDU; Met Res Flt (RAE); RWE: 751 NAS Communications 1 FU; OFU Other 771, 772 NAS

mosquitoPR Mk 34 KL618 of 13 Sqn

PR Mark 34A A number of PR Mk 34 was converted with modified Gee and the Merlin 114A engine with slightly more power. This variant was the last in RAF front-line service, the final flight being made on 15 December 1955 by RG314 of 81 Sqn.
Service Photo-reconnaissance 58, 81, 540 Electronic warfare 192; CSE Training 230, 231, 237 OCU

B Mark 35 The last bomber variant was an improved B Mk XVI with the Merlin 113/114. 276 were built, mostly post-war and it entered service in 1946 with 109 and 139 Sqns.
Service Bomber 14, 98, 109, 139, 142 Training CGS; EANS; LBS; 230, 231 OCU; RAFFC Communications Coningsby SF Trials AFEE; APDU; BBU; CBE; CSE; PRDU; RWE Other 527; 1409 Flt; 5 CAACU

mosquitoB Mk 35 TH988 of 142 Sqn

TT Mark 35 The target towing conversion of the Bomber Mk 35 was fitted with a ML type G wind driven winch under the forward fuselage. Several were further modified for meteorological work as the Met Mark 35.
Service Target towing APS Sylt; 1, 2, 3, 4, 3/4, 5 CAACU; 223, 226, 228, 229, 233, 236, 238 OCU; SIU; Gibraltar, St Eval TTFs Other 4 FP; 2 TAFCS; THUM Flt; Schleswigland SF

mosquitoTT Mk 35 TA722 of 5 CAACU touching down

PR Mark 35 Ten B Mk 35 aircraft were converted for flashlight photography.
Service Photo-reconnaissance 58; CPE

NF Mark 36 The Mark 36 was similar to the NF Mk 30 but with the Merlin 113, handed propellors and US AI radar. The engines were 9in longer than the earlier Merlins and to compensate extra weights were added to the elevators.
Service Night fighter 23, 25, 29, 39, 85, 141, 199, 219, 264 Training NFLS; 228 OCU; 8 OTU Trials CFE; CSE; RWE

mosquitoNF Mk 36 RL125 ZK-G of 25 Sqn in 1950

TR Mark 37 Used exclusively for training the Mark 37 was similar to the TR Mk 33 but with British AI radar in an enlarged nose.
Service Training 703, 771 NAS

mosquitoTR Mk 37 VT724

NF Mark 38 The Mark 38 was similar to the NF Mk 36 but with British Mk IX AI radar and a lengthened cockpit enclosure. Most were sold to the Yugoslav Air Force.
Service Trials CFE

mosquitoNF Mk 38 VT724 of the Royal Aircraft Establishment

TT Mark 39 With an extended and heavily glazed nose the Mark 39 was a singular Mosquito. It was a B Mk XVI conversion built for the Royal Navy to specification Q.19/45 for target towing.
Service Fleet requirements 728, 771 NAS Trials 703 NAS

mosquitoTT Mk 39 PZ576 of the Fleet Air Arm

The remaining Mosquito marks were reserved for Australian types, none of which served with British services. They included the FB Mk 40, PR Mk 40, PR Mk 41, FB Mk 42 and T Mk 43.

mosquitoB Mk 40 A52-50 of the RAAF

Specification and production

Mark Role Engine HP Weight

lbs

 Speed

mph

 Numbers
I PR 2 Merlin 21 1,480 20,000 356 9
II Night fighter 2 Merlin 21 1,480 20,000 356 28
III Trainer 2 Merlin 21/23 1,460 20,319 384 358
IV Bomber 2 Merlin 21/23 1,480 22,380 380 309
IV PR 2 Merlin 21/23 1,480 22,000 385 27*
V Bomber 2 Merlin 21 1,480 not built
VI Fighter-bomber 2 Merlin 21/23 1,460 22,258 378 2,292
VII Bomber 2 P Merlin 31 1,460 22,000 360 25
VIII PR 2 Merlin 61 1,565 22,500 380 5
IX PR 2 Merlin 72 1,680 23,000 408 90
X Night fighter 2 Merlin 61 1,565 not built
X Fighter-bomber 2 Merlin 101 2,420 not built
XI Fighter-bomber 2 Merlin 61 1,565 not built
XII Night fighter 2 Merlin 21/23 1,460 19,700 370 97
XIII Night fighter 2 Merlin 21/23 1,460 19,700 370 5
XIV Night fighter 2 Merlin 67 2,375 not built
XV Night fighter 2 Merlin 61 1,565 19,500 370 5
XVI Bomber 2 Merlin 72/73 1,680 25,917 408 400
XVI PR 2 Merlin 73 1,680 22,350 415 499
XVII Night fighter 2 Merlin 21 1,480 20,500 365 100#
XVIII Fighter-bomber 2 Merlin 21/23 1,480 22,400 380 27~
XIX Night fighter 2 Merlin 25 1,635 20,500 370 220
XX Bomber 2 P Merlin31 1,460 22,380 380 245
FB21 Fighter-bomber 2 P Merlin 31 1,460 22,250 380 3
T22 Trainer 2 P Merlin 31 1,460 22,250 370 4
B23 Bomber 2 P Merlin 31 1,460 not built
FB24 Fighter-bomber 2 P Merlin 31 1,460 not built
B25 Bomber 2 P Merlin 225 1,680 22,380 380 400
FB26 Fighter-bomber 2 P Merlin 225 1,680 22,250 380 337
T27 Trainer 2 P Merlin 225 1,680 22,250 380 21
28 Unused Canadian mark number
T29 Trainer 2 P Merlin 225 1,680 22,250 380 61+
NF30 Night fighter 2 Merlin 72,76 1,690 21,600 407 530
NF31 Night fighter 2 P Merlin 69 2,375 not built
PR32 PR 2 Merlin 73 1,680 22,350 415 5
TR33 Torpedo recce 2 Merlin 66 1,705 23,850 376 50
PR34 PR 2 Merlin 114 1,690 22,100 425 50
PR34A PR 2 Merlin 114A 1,710 22,100 425 37^
B35 Bomber 2 Merlin 113 1,690 23,000 415 276
TT35 Target tug 2 Merlin 113 1,690 23,000 405 105$
PR35 PR 2 Merlin 113 1,690 23,000 415 10$
Met35 Meteorology 2 Merlin 113 1,690 23,000 415 c5$
NF36 Night fighter 2 Merlin 113 1,690 21,600 405 236
TR37 Torpedo recce 2 Merlin 25 1,635 23,850 375 14
NF38 Night fighter 2 Merlin 114 1,690 21,400 404 101
TT39 Target tug 2 Merlin 77 1,710 23,000 299 26@
40-43 Australian marks not used by British service

Notes

* BIV conversions

# NFII conversions

~ FBVI conversions

+ 1 new build, 60 FB26 conversions

^ PR34 conversions

$ B35 conversions

@ BXVI conversions

Further reading

Birtles, P J Mosquito - A Pictorial History of the DH98 Janes, London, 1981

Bowyer, M J F Mosquito at War Ian Allan, London

Bowyer, M J F and Philpott, B Mosquito Patrick Stephens, Cambridge, 1980

Hardy, M J de Havilland Mosquito, The David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1977

Moyes, P J R de Havilland Mosquito Mks I-IV, The (Profile 52) Profile Publications, Leatherhead, 1964

Sharp, C M and Bowyer, M J F Mosquito Faber and Faber, London, 1968

Sweetman, W Mosquito Janes, London, 1981

Bowyer, C Mosquito Squadrons of the RAF Ian Allan, Shepperton, 1984

Bishop, E Wooden Wonder, The Max Parrish, London, 1959