De Havilland DH 998 Mosquito NZ 2301 to NZ 2345, 1946 to 1955, Part 1

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

Qty Served
in NZ 89

Years Served in NZ
1946 to 1955

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

NZ 2301

Mark T111
RAF No.: LR 578
Built at Leavesden UK between 30 Dec 1943 – 9 Oct 1944
Delivered to RAAF
RAAF No A52 – 1015
Sold To RNZAF
B O C Ohakea 8 Nov 1946
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$6,000]
Found to have deterioration problems soon after delivery
Not flown
Written off
Parts used for instructional purposes 27 Jan 1948

NZ 2302

Mark: T111
RAF No.: HJ 968
Built at Leavesden UK between 14 May 1943 to 22 Dec 1943
Delivered to RAAF
RAAF No A52 – 1006
Sold from 5 OTU
To RNZAF
B O C Ohakea 8 Nov 1946
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Test flown 18 Nov 1946
Into storage Jul 1947
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4105 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2303

Mark: T111
RAF No.: HJ 960
Built at Leavesden UK between 14 May 1942 and 22 Dec 1943
Delivered to RAAF late 1943
RAAF No A52 – 1005
Sold from 5 OTU
To RNZAF
B O C Ohakea 8 Nov 1946
Cost 3,00.00.00 pound [$6,000]
Test flown 13 Dec 1946
To 75 Sqn
Into storage At Woodbourne 18 Dec 1949
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 3996 tender No 4873 3 Nov 1952

NZ 2304

Mark: T111
RAF No.: HJ 893
Built at Leavesden UK between 14 May and 22 Dec 1943
Delivered to RAAF late 1943
RAAF No A52 – 1003
Sold from 5 OTU
To RNZAF
B O C Ohakea 11 Nov 1946
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Test flown 18 Nov 1946
Into storage 1947
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4105 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2305

Mark: T43
Built at Bankstown Australia
RAAF No A52 – 19
Converted to T43
Re Serialed A52 – 1053 6 Aug 1946
Stored at Archerfield 18 Dec 1946
Sold to RNZAF
B O C Ohakea 2 Apr 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Remained in storage at Ohakea until sold
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4104 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953
To Robin Coleman Marton
Cost 25.00.00 pound [$ 50]
Mainly used for fittings around his farm
Donated to MOTAT
Under restoration 1967

NZ 2306

Mark: T43
Built at Bankstown Australia
RAAF A52 - 17
Converted to T43
Re serialed A52 – 1052
Sold To RNZAF
B O C Ohakea 8 Apr 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 83/55 tender No 6326 30 Jun 1955
To ANSA Orchard Equipment Co, Nelson
Flown 242.30 Hrs
Fuselage was in Lower Moutere in a
Derelict condition 1961

NZ 2307

Mark: T43
Built at Bankstown Australia
RAAF No A52 – 16
Converted to T43
Re serialed A52 – 1051
Sold to RNZAF
B O C Ohakea 25 Jun 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 3996 tender No 4873 3 Nov 1952

NZ 2308

Mark: T43
Built at Bankstown Australia
RAAF No A52 – 20
Converted to T43
Re serialed A52 – 1054
Sold to RNZAF
B O C Ohakea
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000] 25 Jun 1947
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 83/55 tender No 6326 30 Jun 1955
To ANSA Orchard Equipment Co, Nelson
Flown 479.35 hrs
To Glynn Powell
Under restoration at Dairy Flat

NZ 2320

Mark: FB 40
Built at Bankstown Australia
RAAF No A52 – 101
The Port U/C failed to re-tract on take off from Ohakea
The U/C collapsed when landing at Ohakea
Written off by RAAF
B O C Ohakea 1 Jul 1947
Cost 25.00.00 pound [$50]
Flown 170.30 Hrs 1 Jul 1947
Intended for spares, never flown
Written off 19 Aug 1950

NZ 2321

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 912
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 23 Jan 1947
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 3996 tender No 4873 3 Nov 1952
Fuselage was at Lower Moutere in a
Derelict condition 1961

NZ 2322

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 925
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 23 Jan 1947
Converted to Inst 156 at TTS Woodbourne 18 Aug 1952
Written off 26 Nov 1953

NZ 2323

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 862
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 23 Jan 1947
Into storage
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn Dec 1951
Code letter J
Converted to Inst 155 at TTS Woodbourne 18 Aug 1952
Written off 26 Nov 1953

Being cut up at Woodbourne

NZ 2324

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 861
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 23 Jan 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Converted to Inst 157 at TTS Woodbourne 18 Aug 1952
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR tender No 6326 28 May 1956
To ANSA Orchard Equipment, Nelson

NZ 2325

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 913
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 6 Feb 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn 22 Nov 1947
Code letter A
Heavy landing at Ohakea, burst a tyre,
Ground looped, the fuselage broke behind
The wing and the engine nacelles were badly
Damaged 13 Jul 1950
Crew uninjured
Written off at Ohakea 29 Sep 1952
Flown 469.20 Hrs

NZ 2326

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 739
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 6 Feb 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Converted to Inst 148 at TTS Hobsonville Mar 1951
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 139/54 Tender No 5674 20 Oct 1954

Being cut up at Woodbourne

NZ 2327

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 751
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 28 Mar 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn Mid 1950
Code letter M
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4106 tender No 49801 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2328

Mark: FB V1
RAF No. TE 758
Built at Standard Motors UK
Delivered to 19 MU 26 Aug 1945
Ferried to NZ by RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 28 Mar 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn mid 1950
Code letter C
Into storage at Woodbourne 22 Apr 1952
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4106 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953
To J Clark, Totara
Moved by road to Ferrymead Museum
Christchurch 1972
Under restoration using parts of NZ 2382

NZ 2329

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 765
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 3 Apr 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn Mid 1950
A/C swung on take off from Ohakea,
U/C collapsed, major damage to fuselage 18 Sep 1950
Written off at Ohakea 18 Oct 1950

NZ 2330

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE927
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 8 Apr 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn 12 Feb 1948
On a low flying exercise crashed into sea
Near Himitangi while recovering from a
Slow roll 27 Aug 1948
F/L G Simich F/S V Baird killed
Written off at Ohakea 18 Oct 1950
Flown 179.45 Hrs

NZ 2331

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 864
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to N Z by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 17 Apr 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn Dec 1951
Code letter D
The pilot made a low run over Woodbourne
Then attempted a slow roll at a height of
Approx 200 ft, struck a tree and crashed
1 Mile north east of Woodbourne airfield 23 Mar 1952
F/O C Walters Sgt J Campbell killed
Written off at Ohakea

NZ 2332

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 905
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 17 Apr 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4105 tender No 4980 /4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2333

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 755
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 23 Apr 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4105 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953

Being cut up at Woodbourne

NZ 2334

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 830
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 23 Apr 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4106 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2335

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 766
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 28 Apr 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
To 75 Sqn
Destroyed by fire at Ohakea
Written off at Ohakea 22 Jul 1950

NZ 2336

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 910
Built at Standard Motors UK
Delivered to 27 MU 19 Nov 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 28 Apr 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn
Code lettter B
Back into storage at Woodbourne 22 Apr 1952
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 83/55 tender No 6326 30 Jun 1955
To J Smith, Moutere, Nelson
The A/C was broken into parts for transport
To J Smith’s farm it was later reassembled
And stored at Moutere
Flown 80.35 hrs

Servicing the engines

NZ 2337

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 757
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by an RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 9 May 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
To 75 Sqn
An inspection lamp fell into an Oil drip tray
And caught fire, the A/C was unable to be
Pushed out of No 2 Hanger Ohakea in time
to save it 2 Jun 1950
Written off at Ohakea 5 Jul 1950

NZ 2338

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 887
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 9 May 1947
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Removed from storage
To 75 Sqn Dec 1971
Code letter F
Converted to Inst 158 TTS Woodbourne 18 Aug 1952
Written off 26 Nov 1953
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR tender No 6326 28 May 1956
To ANSA Orchard Equipment Co, Nelson

NZ 2339

Mark.: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 885
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 9 May 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 83/55 tender No 6326 30 Jun 1955
To ANSA Orchard Equipment Co, Nelson
Flown 64 . 10 hrs

NZ 2340

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 878
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 9 May 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 83/55 tender No 6326 30 Jun 1955
To ANSA Orchard Equipment Co, Nelson
Flown 68.15 hrs

NZ 2341

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 874
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 19 May 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4106 tender No 4980 / 4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2342

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 888
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 19 May 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4106 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2343

Mark.: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 752
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 28 May 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [ $6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4106 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2344

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 876
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 19 May 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 4106 tender No 4980/4981 20 Apr 1953

NZ 2345

Mark: FB V1
RAF No.: TE 881
Built at Standard Motors UK between 27 May 1945 – 21 Dec 1945
Ferried to NZ by a RAF/RNZAF crew
B O C Ohakea 19 May 1947
Cost 3,000.00.00 pound [$ 6,000]
Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival
Declared surplus by Government Stores Board
SR 83/55 tender No 6326 30 Jun 1955
To ANSA Orchard Equipment Co , Nelson
Flown 69.35 Hrs

Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner