The de Havilland Mosquito is a British twin engine combat aircraft that entered Royal Air Force service in 1941, built largely of plywood and other wood composites at a time when aluminum was in short supply. Its light airframe and powerful engines gave it exceptional speed for its size, and during the Second World War it was adapted to fly as a bomber, night fighter, reconnaissance aircraft and pathfinder.
Facts
SignificanceA wooden multi-role combat aircraft so fast for its era that it was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world at its 1941 introduction. 1 Manufacturer or Builder Connections
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Wikipedia: De Havilland Mosquito Encyclopedia Article
WikipediaDesign and development section
de Havilland believed that a bomber with a good aerodynamic design and smooth, minimal skin area, would exceed the P.13/36 specification.
Lead section
In 1941, it was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world.
Lead section, first paragraph, nickname clause
Unusual in that its airframe was constructed mostly of wood, it was nicknamed the "Wooden Wonder", or "Mossie".
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