Wingtip and arrowhead nose aerials for AI.IV radar
The de Havilland Mosquito NF.II was one of the early night-fighter variants of the versatile Mosquito, primarily serving Fighter Command during World War II. It was a twin-engine, two-crew night-fighter, based on the prototype W4052 and powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin XXI or 23-series engines, delivering impressive performance for its time.
Key Characteristics of the Mosquito NF.II:
Powerplant and Performance:
- Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Merlin XXI or 23 12-cylinder, supercharged, in-line engines, each producing 1,460 hp.
- Speed: The NF.II could achieve a maximum speed of 341 mph (545 km/h) at 20,000 feet (6,095 m).
- Climb and Ceiling: It had a rate of climb of 3,000 ft/min (915 m/min) and a service ceiling of 36,000 feet (10,970 meters), making it a high-altitude performer.
- Range: With full fuel load, the Mosquito NF.II could achieve a maximum range of 1,705 miles (2,730 km).
Design and Armament:
- The Mosquito NF.II featured a mixed construction of wooden monocoque and stressed skin, a hallmark of de Havilland’s innovative design, which allowed for speed and efficiency.
- Armament:
- Four 20 mm Hispano cannons were mounted in the lower forward fuselage, with 200 rounds per gun.
- Four 0.303-inch (7.69 mm) Browning machine guns were positioned in the nose, with 500 rounds per gun.
- The aircraft’s side-by-side seating configuration accommodated the pilot and radar operator (R/O), a practical setup for night-fighting roles. The canopy was fully glazed, providing good visibility, with a bulletproof flat windscreen.
Radar and Night-Fighter Role:
- The NF.II was equipped with AI Mk.IV or Mk.V radar, standard for British night fighters of the era, enabling it to locate enemy aircraft in the dark. This radar capability made the NF.II a formidable night fighter, replacing older aircraft like the Beaufighter in Fighter Command by 1942.
Weight and Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 54 ft 2 in (16.5 meters).
- Length: 40 ft 6 in (12.34 meters).
- Height: 12 ft 6 in (3.8 meters).
- Wing area: 454 sq ft (42.17 sq meters).
- Loaded weight: With full operational load, the Mosquito weighed 18,649 lb (8,460 kg).
Fuel and Endurance:
- The Mosquito NF.II had a fuel capacity of 547 gallons (2,485 liters) when fully loaded, but operationally, it typically carried 410 gallons (1,865 liters).
Service and Production:
- Deliveries of the Mosquito NF.II began in March 1942, with 465 aircraft built at de Havilland’s factories in Hatfield and Leavesden. It quickly replaced the Beaufighter in Fighter Command’s night-fighter squadrons.
- A variant, the Mk.II (Special), used by No. 23 Squadron for night intrusions, had the radar removed and increased fuel capacity for long-range operations.
- The Mosquito NF.II served Fighter Command until April 1945, after which the remaining airframes were transferred to night-fighter OTUs for training until the war’s end.