De Havilland DH 89, Mosquito, 488[NZ] Sqn, 1943 to 1945 Part 4

Design:
Geffery De Havilland

Company:
De Havilland at Hatfield
And Leavesden
Percival Luton
Standard Motors at Canley
Airspeed

Australia
De Havilland

Canada
De Havilland

Wing Span:
54 ft 2 in 16.52 M

Wing Area:
435.0 sq ft

Length:
44 ft 6 in 13.57 M

Height:
15 ft 3 in

Ceiling:
36,000 ft 10,975 M

Speed: at 30,500ft
425 MPH 684 KPH

Range:
2,335 Miles 3,759 Km

T/O Weight:
25,200 lb 11,430 Kg

Empty Weight:
14,600 Lb 6,628 Kg

Entered Service
July 1941

Crew:
1 Pilot
1 Navigator

Role:
Fighter
Fighter/Bomber
Bomber
Night Fighter
PR
Navy

Total Manufactured:
7,784 All Mark

Qty Built
Mk 11 467
Mk 111 343
Mk 1V 273
Mk V1 2,217
Mk X111 220
Mk X1V 432
Mk XV1 1,200
Mk X1X 220
Mk XX 145
B 25 400
FB 26 338
NF 30 526
NF 36 266

First Flight:
25 Nov 1940

Armament:
Night Fighter
4 x 20mm Cannon in Fuselage Nose
4 x .303 in Machine Guns in Wing

ENGINE

Image Source

Quantity
2

Type:
Rolls Royce Merlin Mk 21 & 23

12 cylinder, 60^ vee, in line, liquid cooled, 2 speed supercharger

Bore:
5.4 in 137 mm

Stroke:
6.0 in 152mm

Volume:
1,649 cu in 27 L

Horse Power:
1580 HP

Max RPM:
3,000 RPM

Fuel:
100/130 Octane

Oil:
OMD 370

Length:
88.7 in 2,250 mm

Width:
30.8 in 780 mm

Height:
40 in 102 cm

Weight:
1,640 lb 744 Kg

Power to Weight Ratio:
0.96 hp/lb 1.58 KW/Kg

AAEE Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment – Boscome Downs
AI Airborne Interceptor Radar Mk VI - Mk X etc
AFDU Air Fighting Development Unit
ASWDU Air/Ses Warfare Development Unit
AUW All Up Weight
BOAC British Overseas Airways Corporation
CCPP Coastal Command Preparation Pool - Birchan Newron
De Hav De Havilland
FIU Fighter Interception Unit
FTR Failed To Return
H2X American Version of British H2S Radar
HIGHBALL Barnes Wallis Skipping Bomb - Smaller Version
MAC Mediterranean Air Command
MU Maintenance Unit
RAE Royal Aircraft Establishment - Farnborough
R&D Research and Development
SAG Second Aircraft Group - Leavesden
SCR Type of Radar, SCR 720 was American Version of British AI Mk 10
TFU Telecommunications Flying Unit - Defford
TROP Tropicalised

NFT = Night Flying Training
Flt = Flight
A/C = Aircraft
U/C = Undercarriage
OTU = Operational Training Unit
OCU = Operational Conversion Unit
Navex = Navigational Training Exercise
RN = Royal Navy
CFS = Central Flying School
GSU = Ground Support Unit

Flown by
RAF 487 [NZ] Sqn
RAF 488 [NZ] Sqn
RAF 489 [NZ] Sqn
RNZAF 75 Sqn Ohakea
RNZAF 14 Sqn Ohakea Acting as Multi Engine Conversion Unit 1949

488 [NZ] Sqn

NF 13’s

HJ 864

Mark Mk 111
Engines Merlin 21
Built at Leavesden 14 May to 22 Dec 1943
To 85 Sqn
To 96 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 96 Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
Struck off 6 Oct 1944

HJ 899

Mark Mk 111
Engines Merlin 21
Built at Leavesden 14 May to 22 Dec 1943
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To North Weald
To 456 [RAAF]Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 13 OTU
Struck off 2 Jan 1947

HK 121

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 256 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
Struck off 22 Oct 1946

HK 132

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 29 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 307 Sqn
Missing from patrol presumed ditched into North Sea 12 Jul 1944

HK 137

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 256 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 406 Sqn
Struck off 23 Apr 1945

HK 143

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 256 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 54 OTU
Struck off 25 Jul 1946

HK 182

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Stalled off a turn.
Dived into ground 3 miles SSE of East Fortune 31 Aug 1943

HK 186

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
Struck off 23 Oct 1946

HK 197

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - F

HK 203

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Shot down by return fire from a He 111 15 Sep 1943

HK 204

Mark NF 11
To Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Flew into the ground in mist. Tiptree Essex 9 Oct 1943

HK 222

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 151 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Missing from a patrol off Thames Estuary 25 Mar 1944

HK 227

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
Stalled on an overshoot at Cranfield 9 Mar 1945

HK 228

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 406 Sqn
To 307 Sqn
Collided with Mosquito HK 194
And crash landed near Sturgate 18 Sep 1944

HK 233

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ]Sqn
To 307 Sqn
To 54 OTU
Struck off 26 Jun 1946

HK 234

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 307 Sqn
To 264 Sqn
To 51 OTU
Struck off 1 Aug 1945

HK 235

Mark NF 11
Built at Leavesden 97 in contract 8 Jan 1943 to 6 Jun 1943
To Marshalls Cambridge for conversion to NF X11

To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Engine cut out, lost height and crashed in a river in the circuit
For Bradwell Bay 16 Oct 1943

HK 363

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Dazzled by searchlight and crashed
1 mile South of Bradwell Bay 3 Feb 1944

HK 365

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 409 Sqn
To 85 Group
Crashed, damaged beyond repair 1 Jan 1945

HK 367

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Crashed on night take off 1 mile
NE of Bradwell Bay 2 Feb 1944

HK 368

Mark NF X111
Buiult at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 409 Sqn
Struck off charge 30 Jan 1947

HK 380

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Struck off charge 9 Dec 1946

HK 381

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 264 Sqn
To 409 Sqn
To Combined General Squadron
Struck off charge 20 Oct 1946

HK 420

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Struck off charge 16 Sep 1946

HK 423

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Engine caught fire. Abandoned over sea 25 Nov 1943

HK 427

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To Fighter Introduction Unit
To 409
Damaged in accident 26 Nov 1944

HK 461

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Swung on landing, hit hedge on an attempted overshoot at Bradwell Bay
Damaged Beyond Further Use 10 Mar 1944

HK 504

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 29 Sqn
Missing from night intruder Mission to Stade 6 Oct 1944

HK 534

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 264 Sqn
Struck off charge 6 Jul 1945

HK 535

Re Serial Numbered to
SM 700 conflict with a Lancaster with the same Number

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 129 in contract 15 Sep 1943 to 2 Feb 1944
To 488[NZ] Sqn
Overshot a single engine landing and U/C raised to stop at
Fairwood Common 23 Mar 1944

LR 562

Mark T 111
Built at Leavesden 59 in contract 30 Dec 1943 to 9 Oct 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
Damaged in accident 28 Oct 1944
Struck off charge 28 Dec 1944

MM 439

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To RN
To RAE
To RN
Struck off charge 11 Jun 1946

MM 458

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 410 Sqn
To 2409 Unit
To 488 [NZ[ Sqn
Struck off charge 17 May 1945

MM 466

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - R
To 409 Sqn
Struck off charge 10 Sep 1945

MM 467

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 264 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Shot down by AA while chasing a FW 190 near Lisieux 30 Aug 1944

MM 476

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn

MM 498

Maek NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 264 Sqn
To 604 Sqn
To 264 Sqn
To 5732 MU
To 6503 MU
Struck off charge 26 Oct 1945

MM 502

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 29 Sqn
To 409 Sqn
To 264 Sqn
Taxied into a truck at Twente
Damaged beyond repair 14 Aug 1945

MM 513

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - D
To 29 Sqn
To 409 Sqn
To 264 Sqn
Struck off charge 22 Aug 1945

MM 515

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 264 Sqn
Swung on take off, U/C collapsed at
Lille Vendeville 21 Apr 1945
Damaged beyond repair

MM 519

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 29 Sqn
Missing from night intruder Mission to Lippstadt 2 Dec 1944

MM 523

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - U

MM 551

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ]
Flew into wood descending in cloud while returning from a patrol near
Helmsley South 15 Aug 1944

MM 556

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - B
To CGS
Struck off charge 2 Sep 1946

MM 558

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 409 Sqn
Overshot while landing on an Icy runway on return from night
Navex near Hunsdon 4 Jun 1945

MM 588

Mark NF X111
Built at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 409 Sqn
Damaged by another Mosquito on patrol and crash landed at
Lille/Vendeville 25 Apr 1945

MM 622

Mark NF X111
Buuilt at Leavesden 300 in contract 23 Jan 1944 to 12 May 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 264 Sqn
To 409 Sqn
Damaged by AA on a night patrol 19 Nov 1944
Struck off charge

NF 30 Fitted With Merlin Mark 72 Engines

MM 784

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 410 Sqn
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
Engine cut out on take off.
Belly landed 2 mile East of Charterhall 31 Jul 1945

MM 809

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - H
To 540 TU
Dived into the ground, out of
Cloud 4 mile East of Thirsk, Yorks 9 Nov 1946

MM 811

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Overshot landing in fog on return from a patrol.
Raised U/C to stop, at Melsbroek 27 Dec 1944

MM 814

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 151 Sqn
Lost wing while recovering from a dive,
Crashed Ugley Essex 7 Apr 1945

MM 815

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Spun into the ground during a practice interception.
Nurlu France 8 Jan 1945

MM 816

Mark NF 30
To Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To Armee de L’Air 26 Jun 1946

MM 817

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ]
To 54 OTU
Struck off charge 11 Aug 1948

MM 819

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Ran off runway in fog on return from a night patrol.
Raised U/C to stop at Florennes 28 Dec1944

MM 822

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488[NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
Struck off charge 11 Mar 1948

MM 920

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 72 in contract 28 Apr 1944 to 1 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Swung on take off and U/C collapsed at Amiens/Glisy 21 Feb 1945

MT 456

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Hit by Wellington LP 625 while at dispersal at Colerne 18 Sep 1944
Damaged Beyond Repair

MT 457

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Struck off charge 8 Jul 1948

MT 458

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Struck off charge 7 Sep 1954

MT 459

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 54 OTU
Struck off charge 8 Jul 1948

MT 461

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To Armee de L’Air 27 Jul 1948

MT 463

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Bounced on landing and U/C torn off at Amiens/Glisy Bay 25 Nov 1944

MT 467

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
Struck off charge 20 Jan 1947

MT 469

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Struck off charge 31 Jul 1946

MT 477

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 54 OTU
To 6116 MU
Stuck off charge 10 Sep 1946

MT 478

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ] Sqn

MT 484

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 30 Aug 1944 to 29 Sep 1944
To 488 [NZ]
Hit a barn after take off for night patrol
Crashed Amiens Glisens 12 May 1945
Damaged beyond repair

MV538

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 50 in contract
To 488 [NZ Sqn
To Armee dr L’Aire 31 Dec 1947

MV 567

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 50 in contract
To 488 [NZ[ Sqn
To Armee De L’Air 31 Dec 147

MV 568

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 50 in contract
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To Armee De L’Aire 4 Sep 1947

NT 260

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - F
To 54 OTU
Struck off 11 Mar 1948

NT 263

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
Engine cut on take off for an air Test flight
Belly landed near Church Fenton 5 Feb 1946

NT 272

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Engine cut on take off for an air Test flight,
Overshot into a crater at Gilze - Rijen 16 Apr 1944

NT 308

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 54 OTU
Struck off charge 8 Aug 1948

NT 314

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 410 Sqn
To Belgian Air Force as MB - 9 11 Mar 1948
Crashed at Wevelgem 14 Oct 1949

NT 327

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
To 228 OCU
To 6366 Maint
Struck Off Charge 7 Jul 1947

NT 350

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
To 228 OCU
To 6367 Maint
Struck Off Charge 8 Jul 1947

NT 370

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Failed To Return 27 Mar 1945

NT 372

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
Code letter ME - B
To Armee D L’Air 13 Sep 1950

NT 511

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 54 OTU
To 6485 Maint
Struck Off Charge 11 Nov 1947

NT 512

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 54 OTU
Struck Off Charge 13 May 1947

NT 527

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
To 228 OCU
Struck Off Charge 8 Jul 1948

NT 532

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 54 OCU
Struck Off Charge 8 Mar 1948

NT 558

Mark NF 30
Built at Leavesden 76 in contract 4 Nov 1944 to 2 May 1945
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 51 OTU
To 54 OTU
Control lost in cloud on a navex,
Spun into the ground at Pitsford, Northants 19 Feb 1946

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner