Osprey Combat Aircraft 4 : Mosquito Bomber/Fighter-Bomber Units 1942-1945

Truly an example of engineering ingenuity born out of the desperation of war, the legendary 'all-wooden' Mosquito was perhaps the best twin-engined fighter-bomber of its size to see action in World War 2. The first bomber variant to enter service was the B Mk IV, initial examples of which were issued to No 2 Group's No 105 Sqn at Swanton Morley, in Norfolk, in November 1941. Considerably faster than the unit's previous Blenheim Mk IVs, powered by inline rather than radial engines, and made of wood instead of metal alloy, the Mosquito initially proved a challenging mount for both air- and groundcrew alike. This book charts the careers of bomber and fighter-bomber variants in service both with Bomber and Coastal Commands, plus the RAAF and SEAC in the Far East. The first of three books on the Mosquito (the remaining two will cover fighter and photo recce variants), this work contains many first-hand accounts by the men who flew the de Havilland 'twin' in action. Ten pages of specially commissioned full-colour artwork plus new 1/72nd scale drawings complement the text and photographs contained within this book. Text by Martin Bowman with illustrations by Chris Davey.

Contents

• Low-Level Raiders
• The 'Shallow Divers'
• The Pathfinders
• 2nd TAF
• Above the Waves
• The Burman 'Bridge Busters'
• Appendices