This aircraft was built by Dan Walter using version 2.82.104 of the AvHistory 1% Assembly Line process. It is based on the MS Mosquito visual repainted by Dan Swart.
Dan painted the Mossie to represents Tsetse FB Mk XVIII NT225/O of No 248 Sqn, Banff Wing in June 1944. This aircraft number NT225/O was one of two Tsetse's lost on December 7th 1944.
This version got its nickname "TSETSE" from the Tsetse Fly whose big bite was all out of proportion to its size.
The Mk XVIII Mosquito was a rare variant as only 18, including the prototype HJ732, were built. The aircraft were HX902, 904, MM424, 425, NT220, 224, 225, and PZ251, 152, 300, 301, 346, 467, 468, 469 and 470. Most served with 248 Squadron and were in use until the end of the war.
The exception was PZ467 which was sent to the USA for evaluation and did not see front line service. What set all these aircraft apart was that they were all fitted with the Molins 6 pounder anti-tank gun that could fire up to 60 rounds per minute.
The Molins anti-tank gun was produced by Molins Machine Co of Peterborough at the beginning of the war. It was intended to be mounted on small armored vehicles for use against tanks. It held 22 or 25 rounds in batches of 4 or 5 which were fed electrically to the breech. As one batch was fired the next was moved into position.
No 248 Squadrons main task to attack enemy U-boats and merchantman and other seaborne craft around Norway. The Banff Strike Wing operated Mainly Mosquitoes from October 1944 onwards. Due to the nature of the attack on vessels either 50 feet or from 2,000 feet diving at the vessel / U-boat firing cannon and machine guns and eight rocket projectiles 25 lb. or 60 lb. head the cost of lives were high. Between September 1944 and May 1945 - 80 aircrew lost their lives flying from RAF Banff higher than that of bomber Command for this period.
They proved to be a great success and the first U boat, U-123, was sunk on November 7 in the Bay of Biscay. The Molins armor piercing shell weighing 7.1lbs (3.2kg) were tipped with hardened steel and had no problems entering a submarine's pressure hull and creating great havoc inside.
248 Squadron protected Allied shipping during the D-Day landings and then was moved north to Banff in Scotland in 1944. From there it carried out many attacks on German shipping and installations in Norway.
The airfield activity increases from mid 1944 as U-boats fled their bases in France and moved north. The operational Aircraft which in September consisted of Beaufighters of 144 & 404 Squadrons and mosquitoes of 235 squadron, these moved to Dallachy in October 1944. There were also mosquitoes of 248 & 333 Squadron (Norwegian). 143 Squadron (Beaufighters) came to Banff in October 1944 and converted to Mosquitoes in December 1944.
Mosquitos were active on D-Day, and right up to the end of the war. Others were license built in Canada and Australia. Production did not end in Britain until late 1950.
Dan painted the Mossie to represents Tsetse FB Mk XVIII NT225/O of No 248 Sqn, Banff Wing in June 1944. This aircraft number NT225/O was one of two Tsetse's lost on December 7th 1944.
This version got its nickname "TSETSE" from the Tsetse Fly whose big bite was all out of proportion to its size.
The Mk XVIII Mosquito was a rare variant as only 18, including the prototype HJ732, were built. The aircraft were HX902, 904, MM424, 425, NT220, 224, 225, and PZ251, 152, 300, 301, 346, 467, 468, 469 and 470. Most served with 248 Squadron and were in use until the end of the war.
The exception was PZ467 which was sent to the USA for evaluation and did not see front line service. What set all these aircraft apart was that they were all fitted with the Molins 6 pounder anti-tank gun that could fire up to 60 rounds per minute.
The Molins anti-tank gun was produced by Molins Machine Co of Peterborough at the beginning of the war. It was intended to be mounted on small armored vehicles for use against tanks. It held 22 or 25 rounds in batches of 4 or 5 which were fed electrically to the breech. As one batch was fired the next was moved into position.
No 248 Squadrons main task to attack enemy U-boats and merchantman and other seaborne craft around Norway. The Banff Strike Wing operated Mainly Mosquitoes from October 1944 onwards. Due to the nature of the attack on vessels either 50 feet or from 2,000 feet diving at the vessel / U-boat firing cannon and machine guns and eight rocket projectiles 25 lb. or 60 lb. head the cost of lives were high. Between September 1944 and May 1945 - 80 aircrew lost their lives flying from RAF Banff higher than that of bomber Command for this period.
They proved to be a great success and the first U boat, U-123, was sunk on November 7 in the Bay of Biscay. The Molins armor piercing shell weighing 7.1lbs (3.2kg) were tipped with hardened steel and had no problems entering a submarine's pressure hull and creating great havoc inside.
248 Squadron protected Allied shipping during the D-Day landings and then was moved north to Banff in Scotland in 1944. From there it carried out many attacks on German shipping and installations in Norway.
The airfield activity increases from mid 1944 as U-boats fled their bases in France and moved north. The operational Aircraft which in September consisted of Beaufighters of 144 & 404 Squadrons and mosquitoes of 235 squadron, these moved to Dallachy in October 1944. There were also mosquitoes of 248 & 333 Squadron (Norwegian). 143 Squadron (Beaufighters) came to Banff in October 1944 and converted to Mosquitoes in December 1944.
Mosquitos were active on D-Day, and right up to the end of the war. Others were license built in Canada and Australia. Production did not end in Britain until late 1950.
