deHavilland DH 98 Mosquito

[Whiterook]

Originally Posted by mfg495

The RAF has a museum based at the unit. - Cosford Air Museum, Shropshire, West Midlands days out - RAF Museum

They have a number of aircraft on display, cold war period and modern times.
later this year I have been moved to this camp, so I will have access to the museum in my spare time.

Wow, cool link Mick...thanks!!!

[MAGNA]

A fine aircraft all round. An English pilot used to live near here. He did the run to Sweden and back during the war delivering and picking up 'Diplomatic parcels' as he termed them. In other words, info from or to spies etc. He used a Mosquito which could out run everything at the time he flew. FW 190's would always be sent up to intercept his plane and were always too late and too low to interfere with his mission. He said he and the 'other chap' used to give the FW pilots the V for victory sign with their fingers (of course) as they flew past. They could do this as the W pilots would use up all their shells at long range trying to get a hit in hope. By the time they got close the German planes never had any ammo left. Any hits they did take were always absorbed by the frame.

I have an old book on the history and service of the mossie. It explains that the original design for the Mosquito was as a four engined long range bomber. Same system with no armament and capable of high level flight with a large payload, plus a high speed when empty on the return run. I do wonder whether it might have been more successful than the standard four engined bombers which were chosen for use.

[Whiterook]

That is soooooooo cool! Neat little story there. I love it! This guy must have been interesting to talk to. Did you know him persoanlly Mag? Good question and supposition on how the mossie would have served better as a bomber. Nice!

[MAGNA]

I spoke to him a few times over the years Em. He was a real character.

I will have to find the book on the Mosquito. It's a very old one I got from a sale somewhere and has a lot of info including which ones were used where. If anyone ever needs to know I will be happy to look it up.