Mossie pics

stug3 · Apr 10, 2013

The prototype Mosquito NF Mark XV, MP469, the former pressurised Mosquito prototype, at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, after modification by the De Havilland Aircraft Company as a high-altitude night fighter by increasing the wingspan, and by fitting Rolls Royce Merlin 61 engines with four-bladed propellers. AI Mark VIII centimetric radar in a 'thimble' nose radome and a ventral gun pack housing four .303in machine guns were also added before the aircraft joined the High Altitude flight at Northolt, Middlesex for operational trials.

Publicity shot, with a message to 'Adolf' chalked on the 4,000lb 'cookie' bomb, the nose radar and bombsight has been obliterated by a censor.

Airframes · Apr 10, 2013

Good stuff. Note though, that in the second shot, there was no 'nose radar'. Only night-fighter 'Mossies' were radar equipped.

gumbyk · Apr 10, 2013

Probably the photographer who has the most air-to-air time with the Mozzie:
Classic Aircraft Photography, Air To Air photos taken by Gavin Conroy.

nuuumannn · Apr 10, 2013

that in the second shot, there was no 'nose radar'.

At guess I'd say it's probably Oboe equipped. Sometimes all the censor did was draw attention to the fact that there was something 'special' about the aircraft compared to other ones, so the image warranted further scrutiny.

Airframes · Apr 10, 2013

Possibly/probably, Grant. Might have just been the later, computer sight, possibly, though unlikely, even SABS?

Njaco · Apr 10, 2013

Jeez, I saw the dust cloud from this thread about a mile away and had to see whats up.

This is still the best Mossie pic.

.

nuuumannn · Apr 10, 2013

Sorry Aaron, Gavin may be of KA114, but the British Aerospace Mossie RR299 was around for a long time and I remember buying a few calenders from Flying Legends with her in it. I'd say that John Dibbs of the Plane Picture Company would be up there somewhere.

Guys, why don't we create a Member's Mossie Pics thread out of this, with cool pics we've taken ourselves as well?

Here's the First and the Last: The prototype, without a doubt the most significant surviving WW2 era aircraft, and the ultimate Mossie bomber variant, a B.35 both at the Mosquito Aircraft Museum in Hertfordshire.

Salisbury Hall, Hertfordshire, where the Mossie was born.

The achingly beautiful D.H.88, which provided the Mossie's designers with much inspiration.

Njaco · Apr 10, 2013

Nuuuman, go for it!!

Airframes · Apr 10, 2013

Great idea Grant. Hopefully, I can find and scan my 'slides' of RR299, some under 'deep' service, and partial re-covering, at it's base at Chester.

nuuumannn · Apr 10, 2013

Yes, please Terry, would love to see those. Was hoping you'd do that. I've got some of her at a few airshows, but close-ups would be great to see.

stug3 · Apr 10, 2013

The wooden De Havilland Mosquito had been in action for some time in 1942. It was only revealed to the public after the raid on the Norway Gestapo HQ.

Airframes · Apr 11, 2013

The caption posted reads ' ... nose radar and bomb sight obliterated by a censor'.
I'm guessing this is from a caption printed with the photo in a book, and was just pointing out, for the benefit of those who may not know, that bomber Mosquitos were not fitted with 'nose radar'.
No slight against you intended, but many books now publish incorrect, or downright wrong, information which, in the fullness of time, could, and in many cases will, alter the facts of history for future generations. It might seem a minor and pedantic point, but the more this happens, the more the problem is exacerbated, to the point that such important, literally World-changing events as WW2 could be viewed as a minor conflict by future generations.

Jarda Rankl · Apr 11, 2013

Mosquitos are a wonderful kites. Here are some pictures.

Airframes · Apr 11, 2013

Superb pics. The second shot is interesting, with what appear to be Russian officers inspecting the aircraft.

Jarda Rankl · Apr 11, 2013

In addition to the first picture, I called the other "Mosquito Goes to War".

Airframes · Apr 11, 2013

Excellent set of pics. They were taken at Leavesden, near Watford, which is now the studios used for the 'James Bond 007' movies. I had the opportunity to stand in exactly the same spot where the fourth shot was taken, back in 1995, 50 years after the pic was taken. But the hangar was filled with Lada and Zil cars at the time, during the filming of 'Golden Eye' !

Njaco · Apr 11, 2013

Terry, you've led an amazing life. I'm glad to know ya!

Airframes · Apr 12, 2013

Thanks Chris! I guess I have been around a bit - and it's beginning to show!

nuuumannn · Apr 12, 2013

Is that you with the ruffled ginger hair in the picture sequence above, Terry?!

Wayne Little · Apr 12, 2013

Top series of pics!

Mossie pics

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