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De Havilland Mosquito. Made of wood. Fastest fighter in WWII.
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito is a British twin-engined, shoulder-winged multirole combat aircraft, introduced during the Second World War. Unusual in that its frame was constructed mostly of wood, it was nicknamed the "Wooden Wonder",[5] or "Mossie".[6] Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production, nicknamed it "Freeman's Folly", alluding to Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfrid Freeman, who defended Geoffrey de Havilland and his design concept against orders to scrap the project.[7] In 1941, it was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world.[8]
Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito's use evolved during the war into many roles, including low- to medium-altitude daytime tactical bomber, high-altitude night bomber, pathfinder, day or night fighter, fighter-bomber, intruder, maritime strike, and photo-reconnaissance aircraft.
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito is a British twin-engined, shoulder-winged multirole combat aircraft, introduced during the Second World War. Unusual in that its frame was constructed mostly of wood, it was nicknamed the "Wooden Wonder",[5] or "Mossie".[6] Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production, nicknamed it "Freeman's Folly", alluding to Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfrid Freeman, who defended Geoffrey de Havilland and his design concept against orders to scrap the project.[7] In 1941, it was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world.[8]
DH.98 Mosquito | |
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Mosquito B Mk IV serial DK338 before delivery to 105 Squadron. This aircraft was used on several of 105 Squadron's low-altitude daylight bombing operations during 1943. | |
Role | |
National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | de Havilland Aircraft Company |
First flight | 25 November 1940[1] |
Introduction | 15 November 1941[2] |
Retired | 1963 |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | Royal Air Force |
Produced | 1940–1950 |
Number built | 7,781[3] |
Unit cost | £9,100 (1951) [4] |