The "Mossie," as it was known affectionately by its British crews, was both simple in construction and design. It was a twin engine, single boom aircraft that placed the pilot and navigator in a side-by-side sitting configuration. The Mosquito was one of the most cost effective aircraft ever built because it was constructed out of wood. Balsa was used for the plywood skin, Sitka spruce from Alaska and British Columbia for the wing spars, and Douglas Fir stringers and birch and ash for the longitudinal pieces. These were all held together with glue and wood screws. The result was an airplane that was easy to maintain, tolerant of battle damage, and simple to patch. It was faster than the Spitfire, flew higher than almost any other aircraft, and carried tremendous firepower over great distances. The bomber version operated with relative impunity over Germany til the end of the war, because the Luftwaffe never had a nightfighter fast enough to intercept it. Interestingly, the nightfighter versions of the Mosquito remained in production until 1947, two years after the war in Europe had ended.

This particular 1:32 scale replica of a Mosquito Mk. VI bomber was attached to No.464 Squadron during 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 15-1/2-inches
Wingspan: 20-1/4-inches

Release Date: April 2014

Historical Account: "Swatting Mosquitos" - Formed on September 1st, 1942, 464 Squadron RAAF operated the Lockheed Ventura medium bomber until June 1943, when it transferred to the machines it would operate for the rest of the war - the superlative de Havilland Mosquito.

By the time of Operation Overlord, the Allies' assault on France, the Squadron had developed into a capable unit, harassing enemy lines of communication as well as static targets both by day and night. On the week of D-Day itself the unit flew 75 sorties, and for the whole month of June lost only five aircraft. For the next two months the Squadron found itself engaged in even more sorties, with 350 being flown in July alone. The Mosquito was an ideal machine for the type of low level bombing attacks being employed by the Squadron, being both fast and having the extra reliability of two engines. It remained the weapon of choice for 464 Squadron until it was disbanded in September 1945.