de Havilland Mosquito

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito is a British multi-role combat aircraft with a
two-man crew which served during and after the Second World War. It was one of
few operational front-line aircraft of the era constructed almost entirely of
wood and was nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder". The Mosquito was also known
affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews.
Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito was adapted to
roles including low to medium-altitude daytime tactical bomber, high-altitude
night bomber, pathfinder, day or night fighter, fighter-bomber, intruder,
maritime strike aircraft, and fast photo-reconnaissance aircraft. It was also
used by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) as a fast transport to
carry small high-value cargoes to, and from, neutral countries, through
enemy-controlled airspace.[6] A single passenger could be carried in the
aircraft's bomb bay, which was adapted for the purpose.

Overview

The Mosquito was a fast, twin-engined aircraft with shoulder-mounted wings.[60]
The most-produced variant, designated the FB Mk VI (Fighter-bomber Mark 6), was
powered by two Merlin Mk 23 or Mk 25 engines driving three-bladed de Havilland
hydromatic propellers. The typical fixed armament for an FB Mk VI was four
Browning .303 machine guns and four 20 mm Hispano cannon while the offensive
load consisted of up to 2,000 pounds (910 kg) of bombs, or eight RP-3 unguided
rockets.[61]

The design was noted for having light and effective control surfaces which
allowed for good manoeuvrability, but that the rudder should not be used
aggressively at high speeds; poor aileron control at low speeds when landing and
taking off was also a problem for inexperienced crews.[62] For flying at low
speeds, the flaps had to be set at 15°, speed reduced to 201 miles per hour (323
km/h) and rpm set to 2,650. The speed could be reduced to an acceptable 150
miles per hour (240 km/h) for low speed flying.[63] For cruising the maximum
speed for obtaining maximum range was 200 miles per hour (320 km/h) at 17,000 lb
(7,700 kg) weight.

Specifications

DH.98 Mosquito F Mk II

Fighter version.

Data from Mosquito and Mosquito Performance trials

General characteristics
Crew: 2: pilot, navigator/radar operator
Length: 41 ft 2 in (13.57 m)
Wingspan: 54 ft 2 in (16.52 m)
Height: 17 ft 5 in (5.3 m)
Wing area: 454 ft2 (42.18 m2)
Empty weight: 13,356 lb (6,058 kg)
Loaded weight: 17,700 lb (8,028 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 18,649 lb (8,549 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 21/21 or 23/23 (left/right) liquid-cooled V12
engine, 1,480 hp (21 & 23) (1,103 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 318 kn (366 mph (589 km/h)) at 21,400 ft (6,500 m)[170]
Range: 782 nmi (900 mi (1,400 km)) with 410 gal (1,864-litre) fuel load at
20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Service ceiling: 29,000 ft (8,839 m)
Rate of climb: 1,740 ft/min (8.8 m/s)
Wing loading: 39.9 lb/ft2 (195 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.189 hp/lb (311 W/kg)

Armament
Guns: 4 × 20 mm (.79 in) Hispano Mk II cannon (fuselage) and 4 × .303 in (7.7
mm) Browning machine guns (nose)

Avionics
AI Mk IV or Mk V radar (NF variants)



DH.98 Mosquito B Mk XVI

The definitive bomber version.

Data from Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II[171] and World War II
Warbirds

General characteristics
Crew: 2: pilot, bombardier/navigator
Length: 44 ft 6 in (13.57 m)
Wingspan: 54 ft 2 in (16.52 m)
Height: 17 ft 5 in (5.3 m)
Wing area: 454 ft2 (42.18 m2)
Empty weight: 14,300 lb (6,490 kg)
Loaded weight: 18,100 lb (8,210 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 25,000 lb (11,000 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 76/77 (left/right) liquid-cooled V12 engine,
1,710 hp (1,280 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 361 kn (415 mph (668 km/h)) at 28,000 ft (8,500 m)
Range: 1,300 nmi (1,500 mi (2,400 km)) with full weapons load
Service ceiling: 37,000 ft (11,000 m)
Rate of climb: 2,850 ft/min (14.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 39.9 lb/ft2 (195 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.189 hp/lb (311 W/kg)

Armament
Bombs: 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg)

Avionics
GEE radio-navigation



*