World War II Database

The spruce-and-balsa wooden Mosquito multi-role aircraft were designed as fast light bombers that could outrun pursuing hostile fighters; because of their light weight and high speed, they were also used as fighters when necessary. Although the original design was released in 1938, it was not until 1940 when the British Air Ministry took notice of the wooden aircraft. When the German airmen faced these aircraft, they were amazed by their speed and their ability to protect the airspace over Britain. "In 1940 I could at least fly as far as Glasgow in most of my aircraft, but not now!", said Hermann Göring, commander of the Luftwaffe, in Jan 1943. "It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy." What made Göring and the rest of Germany most envious was de Havilland's ability to construct a capable aircraft out of material as common as wood at a time when iron and steel was in great demand. The most numerous variant was the Mk.IX that served as a high altitude bomber, encouraged by the result of a Royal Air Force cost-benefit analysis: throughout the entire war, the Mosquito bombers enjoyed the lowest loss rate, while it dealt far greater damage to the Germans when compared to the larger and more expensive Lancaster bombers. During its service, 7,781 Mosquitos were built, with 6,710 of them during the war. A significant fraction of that number came from Commonwealth nations such as Canada and Australia. During the war, Mosquito bombers were responsible for dropping 35,000 tons of bombs at a loss of only 193 aircraft.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mk.II

Machinery	Two Rolls-Royce Merlin 21 engines rated at 1,230hp each
Armament	4x20mm Hispano cannons, 4x0.303in Brownings
Span	9.99 m
Length	9.99 m
Height	4.66 m
Weight, Empty	6,396 kg
Weight, Loaded	7,938 kg
Speed, Maximum	595 km/h
Service Ceiling	10,520 m
Range, Normal	2,990 km

Mk.IV

Machinery	Two Rolls-Royce Merlin 21 engines rated at 1,230hp each
Armament	4x20mm Hispano cannons, 4x0.303in Brownings, 4x227kg bombs
Span	9.99 m
Length	9.99 m
Height	4.66 m
Weight, Empty	6,396 kg
Weight, Loaded	10,206 kg
Speed, Maximum	595 km/h
Service Ceiling	10,520 m
Range, Normal	2,990 km

Mk.IX

Machinery	Two Rolls-Royce Merlin 72 engines rated at 1,680hp each
Armament	4x20mm Hispano cannons, 4x0.303in Brownings, 4,000lb of bombs or extra fuel
Span	9.99 m
Length	9.99 m
Height	4.66 m
Weight, Empty	6,895 kg
Weight, Loaded	11,340 kg
Speed, Maximum	684 km/h
Service Ceiling	12,190 m
Range, Normal	2,990 km

Photographs

Share this article with your friends:

Delicious   Digg   Facebook

Reddit   StumbleUpon   Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

Subscribe to RSS Feeds

Advertise on ww2db.com

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
	Your email will not be published
Your Comments
Security Code

Note: Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment.