World War Photos

Mosquito Mk XIX – improved version of the NF XIII

History of the NF.XIX Mosquito

The NF.XIX Mosquito was developed in response to challenges encountered during the introduction of the American AI Mk.X (SCR-720B) radar in 1943. Due to supply shortages and installation issues with the AI Mk.X sets in the Mosquito, the British Air Staff considered reverting to the older AI Mk.VIII radar as an interim solution. To provide flexibility, a new model was designed to be capable of accommodating either radar system.

The NF.XIX was similar in design to the NF.XVII, featuring a bullnose radome that could house either the spiral scanner of the AI Mk.VIII or the helical scanner of the AI Mk.X. The prototype NF.XIX, designated MM624, first flew in April 1944. It was powered by the same 1,635-hp Merlin 25 engines as the NF.XVII, and these engines were paired with paddle-blade propellers. The NF.XIX demonstrated a maximum speed of 378 mph (605 km/h) at 13,200 feet (4,025 meters) with a full operational load, which included two 50-gallon (225-liter) drop tanks.

A total of 230 NF.XIX aircraft were produced in seven batches by the De Havilland Aircraft Company at Hatfield. The first NF.XIXs were delivered to Bomber Command’s No. 100 Group in May 1944, and by the end of World War II, enough aircraft had been delivered to equip eight squadrons. Only three squadrons served in the UK air defense role, and these were all disbanded by August 1945. However, No. 500 (County of Kent) Squadron briefly operated the Mosquito NF.XIX in 1947 as part of the AAF’s policy to restore reserve squadrons to the night-fighter role.

Description and Technical Data

• Type: Twin-engined night-fighter with a crew of two, of mixed wooden monocoque and stressed skin construction.
• Manufacturers: De Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd, Hatfield and Leavesden.
• Power Plant: Two 12-cylinder, supercharged 1,635-hp R-R Merlin 25 in-line engines.
• Dimensions:
  • Span: 54 ft 2 ins (16.5 meters)
  • Length: 40 ft 6 ins (12.34 meters)
  • Height: 12 ft 6 ins (3.8 meters)
  • Wing Area: 454 sq. ft (42.17 sq. meters)
• Weights:
  • Tare: 14,471 lb (6,565 kg)
  • Operationally loaded: 20,420 lb (9,260 kg)
• Fuel Capacity:
  • Maximum: 716 gallons (3,255 liters)
  • Operationally loaded: 453 gallons (2,060 liters)
• Performance:
  • Maximum speed: 378 mph (605 km/h) at 13,200 feet (4,025 meters)
  • Maximum cruising speed: 255 mph (410 km/h) at 20,000 ft
  • Initial rate-of-climb: 3,000 ft/min (915 meters/min)
  • Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,145 meters)
  • Maximum range: 1,705 miles (2,730 km)
• Armament:
  • Four 20-mm Hispano cannons in forward lower fuselage with 200 rounds per gun
• Radar: AI Mk.VIII or AI Mk.X (SCR-720B)
• Unit Allocation:
  • Night-fighter units: 68 and 500 Squadrons
  • Bomber Support: 157 and 169 Squadrons