It was on this day in November 1940 that the De Havilland Mosquito lifted off on its maiden flight from the airfield at Hatfield.
It was the culmination of just 11 months works from initial design to construction and testing of what would become one of the most formidable aircraft of the era.
Today, The People’s Mosquito (with public and corporate support) is building the first Mosquito in the UK for over 75 years.
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The aircarft was painted overall yellow and rolled out on November 19, 1940, just 10 months and 26 days after its inception.
| Much of the Mosquito’s late construction occurred during heavy Luftwaffe bombing raids over London. Although the airfield was not hit until later, the work was conducted in a hangar well away from the main assembly halls. The Rolls-Royce Merlin 21 engines were ready, but fitting them to the new airframe required untested configurations. Just weeks before the first flight, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. conducted taxi and fast-run trials. Even at the last minute, the Air Ministry was asking for armament to be reconsidered. Every component was scrutinised for weight. The aircraft was essentially ready around 22–23 November, but poor weather kept it grounded until 25 November 1940. With conditions finally acceptable, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. with engineer John Walker aboard, took off from Hatfield. The flight lasted about 30 minutes and immediately proved the concept: fast, stable, and astonishingly clean aerodynamically. |
Existing Donor match-fund will DOUBLE ANY DONATION until month end.*
Our sincere thanks to all those that contributed to this. *upto the seed fund total of £32,000
£5 becomes £10, £10 becomes £20, £50 becomes £100 and so on!
To take part in DOUBLE DONATION NOVEMBER – simply click the button below and make a donation of your choice from the options provided which will allow us to accurately track progress and the funding match potential.
Keep watching our Friday newsletters which will give a running total and announce the total raised at month end.