de Havilland Mosquito - In The Movies

[@Paladin1873]

My drafting professor in college had been an engineer on the Mosquito project. He worked on the aircraft's propeller design. We could always get him to talk about his wartime experiences instead of teaching us how to draft.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Same here except our Headmaster at primary school flew Beaufighters over the North Sea, shooting up German shipping, ironically my da guarded Beaufighters in Egypt and Malta...

[@patrickazzarella6729]

Cool fact about the Mosquito is that it was possibly one of the first plane to spot and be one of the first planes shot down by a Jet fighter the German Me-262 in combat

[@howardman3926]

The Me-262 was the only aircraft that could probably catch up to it

[@joshuajoaquin5099]

wood plane vs jet

[@dougalbadger4918]

@@joshuajoaquin5099 very fast wood plane*

[@EnclaveChad]

@@howardman3926 pretty much yeah, the me262 had a top speed of almost 800kph, and the 30mm machinecannons with the mineshells ripped any plane apart

[@bentapekatt6607]

@@EnclaveChad definetively wood too lmao

[@peterkerr4019]

Mosquitoes also flew over France at night with a radio operator in the back talking to resistance groups with a radio similar in operation to a mobile phone. Incredible technology in its day.

[@jb6668]

Its largely thanks to Glynn Powells dogged perseverance in NZ that 3 of the 4 currently flying Mosquitos are flying today. He left behind an incredible legacy.

[@glizzygulper8948]

i wonder if in 60 years, there is going to be someone out there fighting very hard to preserve the last few functional F16's or A-10's or something similar.

[@NoMoreCrumbs]

The mosquito became the premier night fighter for the allies. A common tactic was to loiter over German airfields with engines off, since the mosquito had an excellent glide. When a German plane taxied up for take-off, the mosquitos would strafe the runway or get the plane before it could get up to speed in the air

[@Slaktrax]

''loiter over German airfields with engines off''... That is very hard to believe. Good myth though.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@Slaktrax The only time the Mosquito got the better of the ME262 was when the Jet came into land--VERY slowly because of their operational speed , was far too fast for normal landing.

[@MathewGeorge1989]

​@@Slaktrax 1

[@altaylor3988]

The first clip is of the film "The Purple Plain" with Gregory Peck as the Canadian, there is an interesting story that I can vouch for as being 100% Truthful. The two Mosquitos in the film were from 81 (PR) Sqdn R.A.F. based at R.A.F. Seletar, Singapore. Without any knowledge of the reason the two Mosquito's and Air Crews were sent to Ceylon and upon arriving at their destination they were met by a Film Crew who's first Question to the Ground Crew was "Where are the Guns" .... A Mate of mine piped up and said "No Guns Mate these are P.R.Mk 34's ... Photographic Reconnaissance" .... after this had sunk in the Film Crew made it clear that guns were essential .... So when plans fall into a heap Ingenuity walks in the door. So the 81 Sqdn ground crew went into a huddle ... came up with a solution (a bit iffy as this Modification had never seen the light of day). First the clear Perspect nose of the PR 34's had correlation lines painted to assist the Navigator in lining up for the Photographic run, so the nose was paint to match the rest of the aircraft, then after working all night the Airframes bods together with other ground crew and transformed Broom Handles into life like Gun Packs on the Nose Cone much to the pleasure of the Film Crew. The 81 Sqdn Ground Crew, because they looked like Ground Crew, were used as extras. Just another Credit for 81 (P.R) Sqdn. Apparently all the 81 Sqdn Bods were in agreement that Gregory Peck was a nice Bloke and very appreciative of the ingenuity of the R.A.F. How do I know all of this ... I served on 81 Sqdn for three very happy but sometimes scary years. "Non Solum Nobis"

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Much respect for your service. Love when I get vets with real experience dropping by to share some knowledge. Thank you so much!

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq Excellent recall. It's 72 years since my elder Brother came home from seeing this film. His description of it led me to think that it was all about survival in the desert, after Gregory Peck's plane was shot down. ( in what I thought was North Africa.) Despite all these years, I've still not seen the film---I must correct that.

[@coolhand1964]

I note that the aircraft is painted with Australian markings and ground crew are wearing Australian Slouch Hats, do you know if the movie was set in an Australian area of operations?

[@richardvernon317]

@@coolhand1964 They are SEAC markings and the Film is set around an RAF unit operating in Burma. Peck plays a Canadian RCAF Sqn Ldr.

[@stephenmoss2554]

Yes, same with 633 Squadron. I think they used 3 B35s and 1 TT3 for the flying sequences. Unfortunately, the B35 had a glazed nose and V shaped windshield, quite different from the TT3, which was more suited to sticking fake guns on. Also worth noting that the B35 had bulkier 2 stage supercharger Merlins whilst the TT3 had the sleeker single stage engines. Have you included the recent short film 'The Shepherd' on your list?

[@bigblue6917]

The de Havilland Mosquito. The best twin engined aircraft of WW2. The raid on the Gestapo HQ in Denmark was not the first against the Gestapo. Some have said the Mosquitos had a personal vendetta against the Gestapo as this was one of several raids carried out by Mosquitoes against the them. The Wooden Wonder was also known as the Timber Terror. Which is probably what Goring thought of them. He once said it made him yellow and green with envy. Especially as German could not make anything like it. The V-1s were known as code name Divers by the British. I assume this was because once the flight came to an end the dived down. During these attacks the Germans asked their spy ring in Britain where the V-1s were landing so they could make adjustments for range. Their spies reported that the V-1s were landing short so Germany increased the V-1s range. What Germany did not know was that their spy ring was thoroughly compromised and that the information given to them meant that the bombs were now mostly going passed London. To the best of my knowledge the Mosquitoes used against the V-1 were nightfighters which flew at night over the French coast waiting to see the flame from the V-1s engine before chasing it down and attacking it. They, of course, also had their own radar to keep track of them. The V-1s in the daytime were often hunted by Spitfires. Both aircraft flew high above the flightpath of the V-1 and used the speed from the dive to catch them. It was very dangerous and more then one British aircraft was damaged or lost from the V-1 blowing up.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Fantastic additional info.

[@imadrifter]

Laughs in P-38

[@nickdanger3802]

At least four bombs penetrated the Gestapo HQ; one failed to detonate, while the other three crashed out through the opposite wall before exploding. The building was not destroyed, but several civilian residences were, and 80 civilians were killed or injured. The Norwegian government in exile, which had not known about the raid, later expressed serious concern to the British government. Oslo Mosquito raid

[@bigblue6917]

@@imadrifter I think the P-38 was an excellent aircraft. But it never did half of what the Mosquito did.

[@bigblue6917]

@@nickdanger3802 We'll set that against the terror bombing of Coventry shall we.

[@KaldekBoch]

"Alrigggght I'm Johnny". Possibly the best outro of all my subs.

[@billsilver6429]

"633 Squadron" was the first war movie I ever saw on the big screen. So the story goes, star Cliff Robertson wanted to buy one of the Mosquitos after the movie was made, but was refused. He later settled for owning a Spitfire. Flying one of the German fighters in the movie was Martin Caidin author, pilot, and creator of "The Six Million Dollar man.

[@scottessery100]

In 1982 at raf cosford age just 5 I was allowed inside the cockpit of their mosquito…. Wish I could thank the volunteer who gave a small boy an experience that will last a lifetime 😊👍🏽

[@jonmurphy4218]

I'm green with envy.

[@Spizzoid]

When I was 3 I sat in the cockpit of W4050, the prototype, at Salisbury hall. My mother has a photo somewhere. It's been my favourite aircraft ever since.

[@HollywoodMarine0351]

I was wondering when you would post a video on the de Havilland Mosquito, and here it is. As always, excellent work you made, and great movie selections! I hope you make a movie review on “The Shadow In My Eye” which centers on Operation Carthage. That movie deserves more recognition.

[@notwocdivad]

Totally agree, One of the best and probably the most versatile aircraft of WW2. During the raid on Amiens prison the Mosquitos flew so low up an approach avenue they had to fly with one wing higher than the other to get between the trees!!

[@colinbarron4]

A bit more info. '633 Squadron' and 'Mosquito Squadron' were both filmed at RAF Bovingdon which is near MGM Borehamwood Studios where the interiors for both movies were shot. Bovingdon airfield stll exists and even has a website but only the runways remain as the buildings were demolished decades ago. It is still used for film production. Some scenes for 'Fury'were shot there. The very last Avro Ansons in RAF service were based at Bovingdon and were retired in June 1968 ,just before filming for 'Mosquito Squadron' started. Two of these Ansons were painted in wartime camouflage and appear at the end of Mosquito Squadron. They can be seen in their original livery in the background in some scenes in '633 Squadron.' Three Mosquitoes were based at Inverness Airport (Dalcross) for the shooting of the' Norwegian' and 'practice' scenes ' for '633 Squadron.' Most of the Mosquitoes used in '633 Squadron' were B.35 /T.T.35 versions with perspex noses . These were simply overpainted for the film and dummy machine guns fitted via a curved piece of wood. This can be seen very clearly in the clip from the 'Avengers' episode 'The Hour that Never Was' which is in the above video. This features Mosquito RS712 at RAF Bovngdon in summer 1965 two years after the filming of '633 Squadron. It was at that time owned by Hamish Mahaddie. RS712 was subsequently used in 'Mosquito Squadron.' The miniature sequences for 'Mosquito Squadron' were filmed at Malta Film Services by a team lead by Kit West who was at that time working for Les Bowie.

[@fus149hammer5]

They have just finished filming 'Masters Of The Air' at Bovingdon. The third in the Band Of Brothers/The Pacific trilogy. The site is to become permanent new film studios to rival Leavesden and Pinewood.

[@jacksonhudd3681]

Thanks for the information, I live in Hemel Hempstead!

[@colinbarron4]

@@fus149hammer5 That is very interesting As well as '633 Squadron' and 'Mosquito Squadron;' aviation movies filmed at Bovingdon were 'The War Lover' and 'Hanover Street'. Also the aviation sequences in 'The Liquidator' and flying car sequences in 'The Man With The Golden Gun' were filmed there plus a few other non-aviation films,TV series and pop videos.

[@c123bthunderpig]

Colin, 633, my all time favorite movie ( even with models) and perfect sound track. I will be searching for your book now. I have ring tone on my phone with the theme,. Maybe you could answer question. The book is not clear as is the movie, Does Cliff Robertson's character die in the end, its kind of left to the imagination. What a wonder privilege to be associated with the movie. I always thought that Mosquito Squadron used a lot of their scenes from 633. Thanks for your post, I can never get enough about this movie. My father flew B24's out of Africa, based with Mosquitos. One of the squadron leaders let him sit in the cockpit. My dad would ask about various instrumentation and the pilot would yell down to the navigator bombardier and ask " Tiger, what's this bloody knob for on the left for "

[@colinbarron4]

@@c123bthunderpig Thanks for your feedback. A lot of people have asked this same question over the years. In the original novel Wing Commander Roy Grenville ( Grant in the movie) survives the war as a POW and returns to the UK and is reunited with Maria. In the film it is not clear whether Grant has died or has just passed out.

[@RogueAce93]

The Mossie was one of the best! Thanks for this overview and the well-detailed summary of the aircraft’s capabilities and contribution! Keep it up!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks for the kind feedback :)

[@kellychuang8373]

Yes it most certainly is and also you can wonder about the pitch for this aircraft to fly being that it was mostly wood and people at the even that time thought this idea was nuts and insane.

[@jackmann9031]

By far THE most versatile aircraft of WWII. Seriously, nothing else even comes close.

[@samanli-tw3id]

What about Me 262?

[@jackmann9031]

@@samanli-tw3id yeah.. How did it make out??

[@nursestoyland]

what about the F6F? or P38 Lightning?

[@jackmann9031]

@@nursestoyland what part of "versatile" don't you understand? F6F and P-38's specialized in 1 aspect of the air war... Mossie was a fighter, a bomber, naval attack platform, pathfinder, photo recon... The list goes on and on.

[@jackmann9031]

@@samanli-tw3id what part of "versatile" don't you understand? Mossie carried out FAR more roles than the ME262. Could the ME262 even FLY at night? Nope... Mossie was nightfighting, pathfinding, etc...

[@sickfarce6275]

Man, really love these videos. Really appreciate the effort to collect all these bits and pieces.

[@alanmacpherson3225]

I read somewhere that there was a problem with the glue on the Mossies serving in the Far East and they had de lamination problems due to the heat. The red on th British roundels was deliberately left off so they wouldn't be mistaken for Japanese aircraft in the heat of battle.

[@carlorrman8769]

Yes I have read this fact as well.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

It's why the RAAF went with the Beaufighter Squadrons . They were just as good in the Pacific

[@JH-lo9ut]

That's right. I'm working on wooden boats and one big problem with boats built with these Aircraft glues in the 40's 50's and 60's is the deterioration of the glue. It usually holds well enough wherever the joints are kept sealed from moisture, but in enclosed areas with stagnant damp air, the glue tend to decompose and crumble. Today we use epoxy, and it has been around long enough for us to be sure that it holds up far better. (Although plastics are quickly becoming a serious enviromental issue just because of that)

[@dukecraig2402]

A wartime report blamed it on the glue, but after the war it was determined that the only Mosquito's that had the delamination problem were the one's built by DeHavelin and that the problem was actually their workmanship.

[@carlorrman8769]

@@dukecraig2402 Far out I didn't know this. I read glue issues were mainly in the Asian theatre. Interesting.

[@mugsnvicki]

1946 "A Matter of Life and Death", starring David Niven, has a low level pass by a Mosquito in the beginning of the film. Just thought I would add it, gotta love the old movies!

[@richardvernon317]

Yes it did!!!

[@albertawildcat3164]

The Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, Alberta Canada is currently restoring a 'Mossie' for static display. It should be ready for viewing Next Year.

[@calgarymosquitosociety2061]

Actually, they are not. The Mosquito is being restored by the Calgary Mosquito Aircraft Society in the workshop of the Bomber Command Museum, and the airplane will likely not be completed for another 10 years.

[@CKC_Productions]

I always found it interesting that the De Havilland Mosquito was even used in the Chinese Civil War of 1946-1949 by the Nationalist Air Force. The DH Mosquito was supplied by Canada at the moment.🤔🇹🇼🇨🇳

[@arnijulian6241]

You got the mosquito video out quicker then I thought you would Johnny. You said your next video would be covering British gear & you didn't disappoint. The de Havilland as we have discussed previously is one of the planes that gets really overshadowed though it deserves recognition. The Mossie is a top tier plane for it's time. You cannuck's along with Aussie's built a fair few home variant'ss of the wooden wonder as well. I could give more information on the mossie but I think added everything that was needed & more. I'll have to watch purple plain when I get the time, haven't seen that flick. That's a rare toot sweet.

[@CGFIELDS]

Been loving the rate of videos you’ve been doing…Great job Johnny 👏🏾

[@bobmetcalfe9640]

The successor to the Mosquito was the de Havilland Hornet which AFAIK was proofed against the delamination problem the Mosquito suffered in damp conditions, in order for it to be able to work in the Pacific and Asian theatres. It was smaller than the Mosquito and had an extra thousand horsepower - a real hot rod. Sorry, a bit off topic but I have a soft spot for piston engine planes that never quite made it to World War II. :)

[@mynamesmatthew1551]

So the Hornet had 4000 horsepower? Holy cow

[@bobmetcalfe9640]

@@mynamesmatthew1551 According to the British test pilot Eric Brown, you could loop it on one engine.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Thank you for sharing this with us all ,Bob.

[@tomicbranislav3]

@@bobmetcalfe9640 man that must have been one hell of a plane to fly.....

[@bobmetcalfe9640]

@@tomicbranislav3 According to Eric Brown the test pilot, you could loop it on one engine.

[@Kefuddle]

In my opinion, the Mossie is the finest combat aircraft ever created.

[@MrDaiseymay]

No argument allowed.

[@alanjm1234]

​​@@MrDaiseymayallowed? It's an opinion. I happen to share it. The Mosquito was the forerunner for the multitude of twin engine multirole aircraft that followed, right up to the present day. But if you have a different opinion, nobody's stopping you...

[@makukawakami]

one of my favorite allied aircraft. great work Johnny!

[@smith041958]

My father's cousin Eric (RCAF) flew the Mosquito during WWII. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross in flying more than 50 low-altitude night fighter missions over France, Belgium Holland and Germany during the Second World War. He also flew the F-86 Sabre and received the U.S. Air Medal for “his fortitude and courage” in flying 50 combat missions in the Korean War while on secondment to the U.S. Air Force.

[@garfieldsmith332]

The Mossie was so well renowned that the Germans made their own version which was unsuccessful. It truly is a remarkable aircraft. Thanks for this great video and listing the movie titles. Need to find Shadow and Purple Plain.

[@fus149hammer5]

I'm in the lucky situation of living ten minutes drive from the hallowed ground of Salisbury Hall where the mosquito was developed and houses three genuine mossies including the original prototype. If you ever get the chance visit The Mosquito Museum at London Colney in Hertfordshire.

[@Xxcoil_runxX]

Me when I was about to go to sleep and I got a notification of you on my Phone but very late: 6:01

[@johnnyallred3753]

Johnny thanks for the cool video about the Mosquito in movies. I have seen some of them. If Iwas going to fly in ww2 I would want to be posted to Mosquito intruder Squadron.

[@danbuchman7497]

Great video as always. Both intellectually stimulating and fun! I really appreciate your adding movies about the topic at the end. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any of these growing up in the 60’s. Thank you for the hard work!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks Dan much appreciate the kind feedback

[@someguy7629]

Mosquito planes also accidently bombed a child orphanage instead of a Gestapo HQ once.

[@BigHorseFilm]

Another splendid video. I am still really impressed with you finding all the source material from various medias to fill these videos 10 mins+. Bravo.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

It can be a challenge especially for aircraft. Thanks for the kind words 🙏 😊

[@tommykaung5882]

Hi I'm Burmese and I have been subscribed your channels for a while. When it comes to classic movies about Burma Campaign during WW2, The Purple Plain and The Burmese Harp are the only ones we knew and love. But about The Purple Plain, most Burmese audience watched it for the actress and the romance aspect of the story and rarely mention about the WW2 military aspect. It is good to learn things about the movie from a different perspective.Great Job. Mosquitoe is less known among Burmese as well. People at that time only recognize Spitfire, B-24 Liberator and P-38 Lockheed(older generations nicknamed it as "Two Buffaloes" because of unique design).

[@johnappleby405]

The Purple Plain was an excellent movie very well done an unusual story and good action sequences

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks for sharing a Burmese perspective Tommy!

[@mbryson2899]

You've once again added to my movie list, Johnny. The only I've seen before is "Soldier of Orange."

[@nigeh5326]

The scene in 633 squadron when they come in to land is amazing when you have the sound up loud the Merlins roar out from the speakers.

[@L.J.Kommer]

WHo would have thought that a movie called "Mosquito Squadron" would have Mosquitos in it?

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Surprise is a mosquito squadron's chief weapon

[@chrischan8282]

It’s short lived successor the Hornet further developed the wooden construction used on the Mosquito. Sadly, like most post war piston aircraft (e.g. wyvern, sea fury, f8f bearcat etc.), they went away just about as quickly as they came.

[@glaslynx123]

I've just read Eric "Winkle"Brown's Biography and he states the most perfect aircraft he ever flew was the Hornet . He holds the record for the most different types of aircraft flown by a test pilot - German Japanese American Jets Biplanes Bombers Airliners. Cracking book highly recommend it

[@tomterific390]

Significant numbers of Hornets were used in SE Asia during the post-war Malayan insurgency, by the time operations there ended, their wood laminate structure was deteriorating due to the heat & humidity. It was cheaper to simply scrap them than to ship any back to the U.K. Such a shame. These wooden aircraft were all much more vulnerable to environmental conditions than their aluminum contemporaries. As of a few years ago, I knew of a firm in New Zealand which refurbishes warbirds, they had obtained a partial Hornet airframe, and were scouring the world for other components to do a full rebuild to flying condition. I wonder if they've made any progress.

[@glaslynx123]

@@tomterific390 Pioneer Aero in Auckland . A Sea Hornet from Canada The last one I think Progress is slow it was basically boxes of bits that had been stored outside. Made the shipping easy Don't forget the Termites that used to eat them out in SE Asia

[@coolhand1964]

I have gotten up close and personal with a DeHavilland Vampire and Sea Venom and was surprised to see that wood was still being used as an outer skin covering in some areas.

[@paullyon-vv9tb]

Great video on a great plane ✈✈️👍

[@halitiko]

Thanks for sharing such videos with us.

[@vill5325]

Thank you for mentioning the often overlooked role of VIP transport the Mosquito accomplished. Probably the most famous mission was the evacuation of physicist Niels Bohr, who almost died when he lost his oxygen mask and passed out.

[@JH-lo9ut]

Excellent content as Always Johnny! Mosquito is maybe my favorite ww2 era airplane. I love the story of how it came to be, how the establishment didn't really believe it the concept, but the Mosquito turned out to be a far better aircraft than anyone expected. Most Mosquito's were sold to other lower-tier militaries around the world after the war. They were a very versatile and useful plane, so a lot of them entered civilian service as fire-patrol, coast guard, mail and many other roles. They were eventually used up and scrapped. Very few remain today but there is an ongoing project in Australia where they are building a new one from original plans and parts. (People's mosquito project) A lot of the Mosquito's were built by Canada and Australia, so credit where it's due.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Yah I was said to learn how few were remaining when I did this video. I believe they even purposely crashed one in 633. Obviously at the time they probably didn't realize how precious these aircraft would become.

[@jacktar550]

Another great video mate.

[@colinbarron4]

Great video. I have a special interest in the Mosquito. I wrote a book called 'Planes on Film' which has a chapter on '633 Squadron' and 'Mosquito Squadron.' I also had an email correspondence with Walter E Grauman director of '633 Squadron' in the early 2000s. A few points. 11 Mosquitoes were used in 633 Squadron. 5 airworthy, 3 in taxiable condition for crash scenes etc and 3 more were used at MGM Borehamwood Studios for cockpit shots etc. 6 Mosquitoes were used in 'Mosquito Squadron.' 4 airworthy , one non - airworthy for ground shots and a crash scene. One for cockpit shots at MGM Borehamwood. I think the figure of 30 survivors includes the four airworthy ones. 'The Man Who Never Was' has a brief shot of Mosquitoes on the ground.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Fantastic to have you comment on the channel. Just took a look at your book. Could be very useful for future videos. Thanks so much for the feedback and info Colin 🙏

[@colinbarron4]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq Thank you. I will post another comment with more info.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Nice one ,Colin, thanks for sharing this with us all..

[@garyneilson1833]

There is a restored Mosquito at East Kirkby in Lincolnshire which is used for giving taxi runs to people, it is a fantastic experience in a wonderful aircraft.

[@tedparkinson2033]

Goering was feverishly jealous of that beautiful plane. Apparently said it made him "green with envy"!

[@MrDaiseymay]

TRUE

[@nickdanger3802]

633 Squadron The film was produced by Cecil F. Ford for the second film of Mirisch Productions UK subsidiary Mirisch Films for United Artists. 633 Squadron was the first aviation film to be shot in colour and Panavision widescreen.

[@nacrokingswatcher1820]

great plane with great history it is one of my top 10 British aircraft

[@Boonmervii]

I'm proud of you son.

[@arnijulian6241]

@@Boonmervii All strung, you gave me a bubble:) I'm proud to of the lad to for having taste!

[@FoolishTinySpider]

Was hoping you would make a video on the Mosquito, keep up the good work Johnny!

[@MostlyPennyCat]

The mk6 fighter bomber was fantastic Armed with 4 7.7mm Brownings 4 20mm Hispano auto-cannons 4,000lbs of bombs or drop tanks It was a beast, more than capable of engaging and killing fighters such as the fw 190, it could fight it's easy to the target, hit it and fight it's way home The mk18 was bonkers. To it's collection of four Brownings, they added a 57mm auto-cannon, with fire select between auto and semi. It sank U-boats. Very well too, it even had an aerial kill with that 57mm. It chopped a wing off next to the engine

[@nickdanger3802]

1,284 built as unarmed bombers minus conversions to photo/recon. Max bombload 2,000 pounds in bomb bay plus 1,000 pounds on underwing hard points. "Some" modified to carry one 4,000 pound "cookie" bomb, a metal drum filled with explosive. BAE Mosquito page

[@nickdanger3802]

FB. Mk VI 2,305 built. Fighter bomber / intruder variant using Merlin 22, 23 or 25. 4 machine guns and 4 cannons, plus 2 x 250 lb bombs carried internally & underwing carriage of up to 2 x 500 lb bombs. Could be fitted with underwing rocket projectiles or drop tanks instead of external bomb carriage. BAE Moaquito page

[@Galloway5090]

Great as always johnny! Can always count on you to keep me sleep deprived with these 4am uploads lmao, keep up the good work!

[@arnijulian6241]

Well at least I had a pleasant surprise to go with my insomnia for a change as well at 4am:)

[@klipsfilmsmelbourne]

I’m glad you feature tintin cartoon when I first heard about the aircraft

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Me too! Grew up on Tintin

[@littlejimmy8744]

I was reading a memoirs of a Luftwaffe nigh fighter ace and he almost died due to Mosquitos near the end of the war. Luckily for German air men they developed a device which would warn them when a mosquito was within 500m of there tail.

[@greghawthorne2439]

My Grandmother worked at The Canadian Powerboat Company in Montreal, making parts for the Mossie. The assembled aircraft were painted at Downsview by my Best Friend's Grandfather.

[@christopherbentley7289]

My father's favourite WWII era aircraft. He did his National Service in the RAF a few years after the cessation of hostilities but he (sadly, for him!) never got to fly in one. I caught a video recently on the Finnish VL Myrsky fighter (built from the there widely-available raw material, wood) that suffered problems with poor-quality glue in those chilly northern climes so it's interesting how those issues were addressed (or not, in some cases) in the case of the Mosquito. Similar difficulties also befell the wooden Italian CRDA Cant Z 1007 bomber, apparently, although those difficulties arose from being at the other end of the temperature extreme from Finland - in the Western Desert.

[@petrolbeatsev6308]

Good video. I wasn't aware of Purple Plain so I bought the DVD. Like 633 Squadron and Mosquito Squadron which takes many of its flying sequences from 633 Squadron (and V1s from Operation Crossbow), the B35s have their glazed noses painted out and 4 x 303s added but you can still see the flat bomb aimer window and the give away split screen cockpit glass. The true fighter bombers (and sole T3 RR299 used in both films since destroyed) have flat single piece windscreens. I remember Group Captain Hamish McHaddie, an ex Halifax Bomber pilot who was adviser to 633 Squadron (and the Battle of Britain) and who was a very shrewd business man telling us that after dipping the tanks to check the fuel levels, he subsequently bought 4 Mosquitos for the Mirsk Production company. He made an offer on the 4 of them and ended up paying less than the cost of the fuel inside them. Some of them were TT35s and I believe the sole survivor from the film (TA719) is now at IWM Duxford. Can you believe they destroyed 2 non airworthy examples in the film, one which belly landed after retracting its undercarriage and another taxying into a bowser. What a waste !

[@harryabrams4993]

Good job! Very impressed with all of your vids and starting to watch the movies you’ve recommended too! Lots of quality effort and research! Much appreciated!

[@robgraham5697]

Damn, I love that plane. Gorgeous and deadly.

[@NapoleonBonaparte05]

I remeber learning about the mosquito after reading a book part of the series of Tintin.

[@geordiedog1749]

So, I’m gonna throw my 5 pence theory in because ‘why not?’ What if Bomber Command had used thousands of Mossies and similar instead of the heavies? It is entirely possible that the entire campaign would have been more effective in pretty much every way. And considering how awful the RAF bombing campaign of WWII was it couldn’t have been much worse. And ‘No’ I am not dishonouring the memory of the fallen. They were incredibly brave considering the losses. But I think it could have possibly been done differently and more effectively if the RAF hadn’t been so blinkered by Trenchard theory. Discuss 100pts. :) Great work again JJ. You forgot the 633 /Star Wars bit though!!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

I think it would require different tactics. Certainly not carpet bombing. The mosquitos would still need defense flying with a full bomb load as it reduced their speed greatly but that's not to say other mosquitos or mustangs couldn't have provided this. One set back might be the lack of pilots. I do think there is merit to this idea though.

[@geordiedog1749]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq Somebody probably did their phD on the subject!

[@hugebartlett1884]

Not the first wooden aircraft actually. Trainer aircraft made by the Miles Company were all of wooden construction,flying from before the war,and heavily used by the RAF.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

The wooden wonder indeed...was privileged to see one flying...awe inspiring...thanks for sharing this with us all, Johnny....cheers/slainte...E

[@yosefarfianbudiman]

They are two things i like from this plane, the first is speed and the second is the fire power 4x303 and 4x 20mm cannon

[@guyh9992]

My father was a RAAF PR Mosquito pilot who served with 540sqn in the UK photographing V1 sites in France and at Peenemunde. When I was a kid I asked him if he had met a fighter ace and Johnny Johnson was the name he provided.

[@paulgerald7682]

633 Squadron

[@solarflare623]

It’s kind of ironic that the best schnellbomber was made by Britain.

[@peterrogers9257]

I was lucky enough to see one do a fly over a military event in New Zealand. The plane was restored their and two weeks after the fly over, it was shipped over to its new owners in the US

[@paulgerald7682]

Mosquito Squadron

[@djolley61]

One of the coolest and best planes of WWII. Makes me wonder why not use these smaller bombers more than high altitude bombers which incurred such heavy losses.

[@ericadams3428]

Practicalities and politics are the answer, the US high altitude heavy bombers flew in formation at about 26.000 feet and dropped together when the leader did. Also the load of a Mosquito bomber variant was a 4,000 lb bomb or 4 x 500lb bombs. The 4,000 lb bomb was a drum full of explosive and had no fins and could not be accurately aimed (drop height no less than 6,000 ft) and was used by the British on built up areas. Smaller planes attempting to hit a target like a marshalling yard would need more aircraft, (the B17 frequently carried more than 4,000 lb of bombs to Berlin often 10 x 500 lb or 6 x 1,000lb). Finally max speed could only be maintained for 5 mins so cruising speed would have been 325mph, faster than four engine bombers but still catchable by fighters and they would have had no defence other than escort fighters. For the British bombers their loads were mainly made up of incendiaries which were not carried by Mosquitos. The point of using smaller aircraft was raised by AVM Don Bennett but he was ignored, anyway there were far too few Mosquitos available a problem which limited the types use in other roles.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@ericadams3428 Not to mention that unlike a formation of B17's a formation of Mosquito's was 100% vulnerable having no defensive guns, between having no defensive guns and the decreased altitude and speed that a Mosquito with a 4,000 lb load would have flown at none of them would have made it to the target, they'd have been mauled by German fighter's trying to fly a raid the size of the one's the heavy bombers flew, people don't understand that the small number of Mosquito's flown on raids is how they could slip through undetected, it wouldn't have worked with a 1,000 bomber stream. Another thing people don't get about the Mosquito that none of these videos ever point out is that they were built in dedicated versions, so it's not like one carrying bombs could drop them and then dogfight, or like in the 2021 movie cited in this video one could fly a ground attack mission one day and a bombing raid the next, the fighter version was a dedicated fighter, the strike version was a dedicated strike aircraft and they couldn't be reconfigured to do each other's job's, the fighter version couldn't even open it's doors in flight, they had to be hand cranked open on the ground and only existed on that version for loading the ammo for the guns, even the wind screens were different from one version to the next, once built for a particular task they were dedicated for that the rest of their lives.

[@colinwhyte1526]

The Mosquito accompanied the bomber stream as Pathfinders and conducted the "heavies" by dropping incendiaries and flares at the aiming points. Whilst it's bomb load was comparable to a B17 it fell short of the12-14,000lb of an Avro Lancaster.

[@alanjm1234]

​@@dukecraig2402you're ignoring the fighter/bomber version with the 4 machine guns, 4 cannon and 2 x 500lb bombs. And even fully loaded, Mosquitoes could fly at speeds and altitudes that made them extremely difficult to intercept. They had a massively better survival rate than any of the 4 engined bombers. The main reason they weren't used in mass bombing raids was simply supply. Because they were so versatile they were needed in a huge number of roles.

[@yoboikamil525]

I fell in love with this thing. Something about it is just cool.

[@henrykrecklow817]

The Mosquito and the P-38 were the two best fighter/bomber of WW2 as far as I'm concerned. Although the P-38 was mainly a fighter.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

P-38 is another favorite of mine

[@MakerBoyOldBoy]

The similarity of the airframes simple mindedly invites comparisons and competition of value. Utter rubbish. Both airframes are unique and designed for different missions. As a Yank lad I was bombarded with the glories of American aircraft. Was a jet engine mechanic F-100, 102s. I now understand the concept that form follows function. How each design fulfills it's function is the only judgement. Both aircraft rate Tops. The P-38 boom and zoom specialist and the Mosquito able to perform multi demands which arise. My personal preferences are the Mosquito and the Tempest followed by the venerable Hurricane. Interestingly, I read a short bit about the process of the A-36 as the most precise close bomber. Now, that would be a smart video.

[@billyponsonby]

1:59 very well spotted. Gibson, leader of the famous dambusters raid was killed flying a Mosquito on a night attack pathfinder mission to drop marker lights on an objective. One theory is that when he saw that the target had not been properly illuminated he flew high level circuits and verbal guidance to the bomber stream. This extended flying time plus a low level high speed return in an unfamiliar aircraft ended in a fatal crash when fuel ran out.

[@richardvernon317]

More likely his Navigator (who was not qualified on the aircraft) failed to manage the fuel control system correctly as it was behind Gibson's Seat. Also Gibson failed to follow the correct route for the Mosquito's on the raid and took the Lancaster route home (the two were separate so that any twin engine aircraft the Lancaster's saw were going to be Germans and could there for be engaged by the gunners). Rumour has it that some tail gunner on a Lanc later claimed to have shot Gibson down.

[@jamesharrison6201]

As a kid and a model hound, I tried to create my own fleet of twin engine allied fighters with each variant of each plane. This was 60 yrs ago, when to make any of the versions, you had the to cut and modify the models to fit the pieces, supplied in the kit.

[@MrK1kk3r]

+1 for mentioning Soldier of Orange 👏

[@jondeere5638]

I have both Mosquito Squadron 1969 and 633 Squadron 1964 on DVD. Both are well done movies. The British bombers were being shot to shreds, when de Havilland organized every cabinet worker and wood worker he could lay his hands on and built the plane like a Lego set and had them sent to an assembly area to piece the airplane together. Beak one of the planes and they'd just bolt or glue on the damaged part.

[@kokoeteantigha389]

663 Squadron. The ultimate mossie movie.

[@perfesser944]

Incidentally, a Mosquito is used in Indiana Jones, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, as a bush transport.

[@michaelestabrook7176]

Wasn't that a computer game?

[@perfesser944]

I wouldn't know. But the airplane that takes them (Sorry, it is not Indiana Jones but Rick O'Connell, as in the Mummy), Evelyn and her brother (piloted by Bernard HIll) is a DH Mosquito.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

I just thumbs up before the first sentence. I look forward to your uploads that much.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks for the support Ronald!

[@nicholasnickson7254]

633 Squadron and Mosquito Squadron were both made by MGM and shared several scenes between the two films.

[@carlorrman8769]

The best of the best everyone ioves the Mosquito. They were also built in Canada and here in Australia I believe. Great video as always. Good on you Johnny.

[@ronstreet6706]

Mosquito Squadron used some major footage from 633 Squadron, i.e. the German air raid on the RAF base (some of the images were reversed, so as to not look too similar!)

[@lillith3159]

Its so cool that you added the Tintin episode where the mosquito appears

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

That was a must. Grew up on Tintin.

[@DERP_Squad]

The tsetse variant with the 57mm cannon was an abject failure for it's intended role of sub hunting. The cannon would often jam if cycled in anything but 1g directly vertically through the cannon. It therefore required the mosquito to fly in a very shallow dive, fairly slowly, without evasive maneuvers. This made them exceptionally easy targets for the defensive gunners on the target uboats, if they weren't spotted early enough for the uboat to dive, which was usually the case. The pilots by far preferred to have rockets, with up to 16 being carried, they were able to hit the uboats much more efficiently than with the 57mm cannon.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

You are correct here from what I understand. You could see how once fitted it would at least give the impression of a formidable weapon. Fun gadget in video games at least.

[@joshmontgomery2104]

Love your videos. Was going to recommend the beaufighter but im not sure its in any movies.

[@Vlad-1986]

Since I moved to the UK I had a bit of a discovery of this plane: I used to live in North London, near to where they where produced (today there is a museum, and amongst mosquitoes you can also find one of those "dam nuster" bombs). I also worked back then as a carer on a care home and had this chap who worked on the developement of the plane and for what he and his family told me ended doing something SAS related. He never went into detail, nor talked much about the war, so I am not sure what he exactly did, but he was a cool guy.

[@q.e.d.9112]

For my money the Mosquito was the standout performer of the war. Its ability to be up with the best in so many roles. The top scoring night-fighter of the war by a considerable margin. The lowest attrition rate of all allied planes. And built using materials, workers, plant and factories unsuited for the construction of other planes. From the DH2 to the Comet jet airliner, De Havilland was a genius.

[@NostalgicGamerRickOShay]

You should have pointed out how there are three movies that involve the mosquito that recycle the same movie footage over and over.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

In retrospect, 633 Squadron is a bit carp. It hasn’t aged well, but it has perhaps the best theme music. Also it’s one of those films where they show the female cast member with ‘modern’ hairstyles…presumably to make them more attractive to the audiences of the day…

[@Idahoguy10157]

A shame the Americans didn’t license build Mosquitos

[@SebD18]

Shadow in my eye is also known as “bombardment” in some countries :)

[@ericripley9739]

Was going to mention that , but see you already did. It is available on Netflix ( at least in Canada)

[@connormclernon26]

I live about half an hour from one of these! It’s one of the 4 flying examples. It isn’t behind barriers so I got to get up close to it

[@Simwebby]

There's also a breathtaking cameo of a Mossie at the start of 'A Matter Of Life And Death' (or 'Stairway To Heaven') as it was known in the US).

[@brothercaptainwarhammer]

Personally Twin Engine Fighter Bombers/Heavy Fighters are a Damn Favorite of Mine, and the Mosquito is one of them, because aside that they can fly for much longer and faster that the Single Engine Ones (Not all, but some) What made me love Twin Engine Heavy Fighters and Fighter Bombers are that its Capable of Mounting Heavy Weapons, Aside from Bombs and Machine Guns and Auto. Cannons, they can Have Unguided Rockets and God Damn AT Guns strapped to them! I'm a Simple Man, I see Lots of Firepower, I Like... No, I Love! I knew only Basic and Little Information about it, until now! Thanks for Expanding my Knowledge Johnny! and Thanks for The New List of Movies to Watch! Keep up the Amazing Work Johnny! Keep the Good Shit Rolling, my Friend!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

We ride upon the wings of the storm. What hope of escape can our foes have?

[@brothercaptainwarhammer]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq Amazing! Reading that sent Chills down my Spine!

[@mikepocock575]

Cracking video on Hertfordshires finest aircraft the wonderful Mossie.

[@ScienceChap]

633 Squadron also includes a bizarre screaming sound effect added to the Merlin engines in post...

[@rogueriderhood1862]

I remember watching 'Mosquito Squadron' many years ago and laughing at the idea of dropping Highball on land and rolling them into tunnels. A few years ago I read a history of 618 Squadron, which operated the Highball Mosquitos, and found that they had practised that, and that it was perfectly possible. So much for my sneering at Hollywood!

[@richardvernon317]

If memory serves, the Briefing film about the weapon in the film was an actual trial at the Ashley Walk Bombing Range.

[@stoneyard100]

That was jolly good fun. Well done you 👏

[@gregorysaugustine5236]

Thanks for including the adventure of Tintin in the collection of movie clips for this video. My parents are fans of this Belgian comic series.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Grew up on Tintin. Great show and comic.

[@jinngeechia9715]

The wood construction method of the Mosquito became the basis of carbon fibre construction. Carbon fibre is sheets of of carbon fibre laminate pressed together. With such a method you can have directional compliance and stiffness.

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

The de Haviland. The only Mosquito you dont need bug spray for. 😅😅 Solid as always Johnny. 💪💪👍👍🔥🔥👋👋 Johnny: has a de Havilland with 3000 hp Myself: Toyota with 75 hp. 😅😅

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Gotta drop a Merlin V12 in that Toyota

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq 😅😅👍