De Havilland Mosquito

The “Wooden Wonder” was one of the most successful aircraft of the Second World War. Originally conceived as a fast-bomber, it went on to spawn more than 40 variants including fighter-bombers, night-fighters and photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The Mosquito entered service in 1941 and remained in active service until 1963. The example here, at the RAF Museum Hendon, is a B35 fast-bomber variant that served with 98 Squadron in Germany in 1950 and 1951. As a boy, the “Mossie” held a particular fascination for me: it was fast and light, with a maximum speed of 422 mph, powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, and constructed almost entirely of wood. It was also stunningly beautiful, as so often when form follows function, and played a leading role in many special missions. It was also the aircraft featured in the 1964 film “633 Squadron”.