My Uncle Eddie flew the Mossy during WW II out of North Africa. His squadron was originally a Maintenance Recovery Unit. When an Allied aircraft was shot down they would converge on the site with mechanics, tools and Eddie. If they determined that the aircraft could be repaired, they would make it flyable and Eddie would fly it out. If, on the other hand, it was deemed to be unrepairable they would scavenge any useful parts and classified items and then burn it to the ground.
Because of their skill set, it was decided that his unit would be transformed into a Mosquito, night fighter squadron, and the requisite aircraft would be shipped to them in crates to be assembled by them on site. The British sent the airplanes (some assembly required) and the work building them began. There was one problem though. All the hardware, etc. was metric, and all they had were A.S.E. (inch) wrenches and such. There was a slight delay while our Allies worked to deliver the necessary tools, but the aircraft were eventually built.
As a Night Fighter in North Africa their mission was to fly deep into Italy, at night, and deliver their payload on target. Blacked out, quieted Merlin engines, and great range and ceiling, not to mention it's impressive payload, the DH-98 in this configuration was a formidable weapon.
My uncle told me one night while visiting our family that the most fun he had during the war was after their strike he would fly low down railroad lines to look for enemy troop and supply trains. When found he would descend on the train and strafe it with his guns. Definitely more fun than recovering crashed airplanes.
The Mosquito at WPAFB museum was dedicated by Eddie many years ago, and if you are ever in the area you should stop in and see one of these incredible wooden fighters. It is not as glamorous as a P-51, P-38 or a B-17 (which Eddies brother, my dad, flew) but more sexy than the C-47, Gooney Bird. Dad also flew those in Europe after the war.
Because of their skill set, it was decided that his unit would be transformed into a Mosquito, night fighter squadron, and the requisite aircraft would be shipped to them in crates to be assembled by them on site. The British sent the airplanes (some assembly required) and the work building them began. There was one problem though. All the hardware, etc. was metric, and all they had were A.S.E. (inch) wrenches and such. There was a slight delay while our Allies worked to deliver the necessary tools, but the aircraft were eventually built.
As a Night Fighter in North Africa their mission was to fly deep into Italy, at night, and deliver their payload on target. Blacked out, quieted Merlin engines, and great range and ceiling, not to mention it's impressive payload, the DH-98 in this configuration was a formidable weapon.
My uncle told me one night while visiting our family that the most fun he had during the war was after their strike he would fly low down railroad lines to look for enemy troop and supply trains. When found he would descend on the train and strafe it with his guns. Definitely more fun than recovering crashed airplanes.
The Mosquito at WPAFB museum was dedicated by Eddie many years ago, and if you are ever in the area you should stop in and see one of these incredible wooden fighters. It is not as glamorous as a P-51, P-38 or a B-17 (which Eddies brother, my dad, flew) but more sexy than the C-47, Gooney Bird. Dad also flew those in Europe after the war.
