A wooden wonder that struggled to gain acceptance but became one of the most successful aircraft of WW2. With the possibility of war in sight the RAF were looking at ways of expanding and modernising. Concerns were raised that the aircraft de Havilland was built for speed and endurance, it did not have provision for armament and to this end had no rear turret. Another factor was that it was built of wood, which could be a positive as metal was in short supply. It was said that the only uses for it was for target towing and photo reconnaissance. There was one supporter for de Havilland, Air Marshall Wilfred Freeman, in fact the aircraft became known as ‘Freemans Folly’. Despite the opposition, including Beaverbrook trying to stop production. It was built and became an aircraft of many identities, as a fighter, bomber, photo reconnaissance aircraft to name a few. To meet the different roles, variations of the aircraft were produced. The Mosquito in its various guises was based at Bradwell, a list of the squadrons using Mosquitos is given below.
General characteristics (Not considering variants)
Crew: 2: pilot, bombardier/navigator
Length: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
Wingspan: 54 ft 2 in (16.51 m)
Height: 17 ft 5 in (5.31 m)
Wing area: 454 sq ft (42.2 m2)
Airfoil: RAF 34 (modified)[204]
Empty weight: 14,300 lb (6,486 kg)
Gross weight: 18,100 lb (8,210 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 25,000 lb (11,340 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 76 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,710 hp (1,280 kW)
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 77 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,710 hp (1,280 kW) RHS fitted with a blower for cabin pressurisation
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propellers
Performance
Maximum speed: 415 mph (668 km/h, 361 kn) at 28,000 ft (8,500 m)
Range: 1,300 mi (2,100 km, 1,100 nmi)
Service ceiling: 37,000 ft (11,000 m)
Rate of climb: 2,850 ft/min (14.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 39.9 lb/sq ft (195 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.189 hp/lb (0.311 kW/kg)
Armament
Bombs: 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg)
Squadrons using Mosquitoes at RAF Bradwell Bay
23 Squadron
Mosquito ll Aircraft
29 Squadron
May 1943 Mosquito Xll
July 1943 Mosquito Vl
157 Squadron
Mosquito ll aircraft
488 Squadron
Mosquito Xll
Mosquito Xlll
605 Squadron
Mosquito ll
219 Squadron
Mosquito XVll
Mosquito XXX
151 Squadron
Mosquito XXX
