De Havilland Mosquito New Zealand
The de Havilland Mosquito was a British single-engined, twin-engine fighter bomber that saw service in New Zealand during the World War II era. The Mosquito was designed in 1938 and was in production from 1939 until 1942, when it was deemed to be obsolete. In New Zealand the Mosquito was used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as a reconnaissance aircraft and its multi-role capabilities enabled it to perform a variety of tasks such as aerial reconnaissance, groundstrike, and fighter cover for Allied forces operating against the Japanese in the region. The Mosquito was sturdy, rugged, and highly maneuverable, which allowed it to perform effectively against Japanese aircraft in air-to-air combat.
In New Zealand, the de Havilland Mosquito was first used in the Pacific War against the Japanese in the mid-1940s. The RNZAF had acquired some of the aircraft in 1941 and sent a squadron of them to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The squadron soon proved to be very effective against the Japanese, scoring multiple successes in air-to-air combat and gave valuable reconnaissance information on Japanese positions and activity in the region. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, a Mosquito squadron was deployed and patrolled the Solomon Islands, providing vital reconnaissance information on Japanese fleet movements.
In addition to its use in the Pacific War, the Mosquito was also deployed in the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, and the Vietnam War. In 1962, a Mark 21B Mosquito was also used to carry VIPs on occasion, including Queen Elizabeth II, who flew in a Mosquito on her 1964 visit to New Zealand.
The Mosquito proved to be extremely versatile in aerial combat. Its combination of speed and maneuverability made it ideal for reconnaissance, ground-strike, fighter cover, and air-to-air combat. It had two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines that gave it a top speed of 526 mph. It also had a large payload of 2,000 pounds, a maximum bomb load of 500 pounds, and a range of over 1,750 miles.
The Mosquito was equipped with two 20mm cannons and four short-barreled machine guns that could fire some high explosive and armor piercing ammunition. The aircraft was extremely capable at high altitudes and eventually saw service at over 25,000 feet, although it was primarily used at heights of between 5,000 to 10,000 feet.
Unit 11 Squadron
The most famous de Havilland Mosquito squadron in New Zealand was 11 Squadron RNZAF. This was a Special Operational Squadron formed in February 1945 and sent to the Solomon Islands in 1943. The squadron had a maximum strength of fourteen aircraft and was equipped with Mosquitoes that were used for long-range reconnaissance, torpedo bombing, low-level bombing, and assisting Allied ground troops.
11 Squadron proved to be highly successful, with some of its Mosquito aircraft flying as many as ten sorties over the course of a single day. The squadron also shot down a number of Japanese planes while protecting American forces in the region. 11 Squadron operated from both New Zealand and the Solomon Islands and eventually was disbanded in 1946.
Today, the squadron is remembered in the form of several memorials and monuments in New Zealand. A memorial was erected in Wellington in 2016 to commemorate the squadron and the men who served with it. Moreover, a memorial in the form of a replica of the Mosquito was unveiled at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in 2017.
Mosquito Preservation Efforts
The de Havilland Mosquito is remembered with great fondness by many in New Zealand and there have been several efforts to preserve the legacy of the plane. The Air Force Museum of New Zealand maintains several Mosquito examples that are restored to flying condition and have been flown in New Zealand’s skies as part of commemorative events and air shows.
The Mosquito Fighter Trust, a charity founded in 2001, is also working to restore a de Havilland Mosquito to flying condition. The trust has acquired a Mosquito fighter plane and plans to restore it to a standard that will enable it to fly in New Zealand.#In addition, the trust has established the Mosquito Aircraft Association, which is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the aircraft.
The New Zealand Historic Aircraft Trust also maintain a Mosquito aircraft, which has seen active service in the Royal Air Force and the RNZAF. The aircraft is on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and is used for static display purposes.
Engaging the Public
The de Havilland Mosquito is remembered with great fondness in New Zealand and there are numerous efforts to engage the public about its service in the region. The Air Force Museum of New Zealand regularly hosts special air shows featuring the Mosquito as part of its events. The museum also provides educational talks and tours that provide a more in-depth look at the aircraft and its history.
The Mosquito Fighter Trust has also been engaged in numerous efforts to engage the public. The trust has held air shows as well as fundraising efforts to help restore the Mosquito to flyable condition. It has also taken the plane to various commemorative events and air shows in Australia and New Zealand.
The Historic Aircraft Trust also hosts a variety of events and activities which provide access to the aircraft and information on its service history. These events include movie screenings, historical lectures, and educational tours.
Environmental Impacts
The Mosquito was a highly capable aircraft and its usage in New Zealand and the Pacific War did come with a cost. The aircraft consumed 640,000 gallons of fuel during its operational service in New Zealand which resulted in significant environmental damage in the form of air and ground pollution. Therefore, it is important to bear in mind that our appreciation of the Mosquito should also be tempered with the awareness that it came at a cost to the environment.
Conclusion
The de Havilland Mosquito is a much-beloved aircraft in New Zealand and was integral in the successful defence of New Zealand against the Japanese in the Pacific War. It saw service as a reconnaissance aircraft, ground-strike, and fighter cover as well as provided VIP protection. Several organisations have worked to preserve and restore the Mosquito and there is plenty of public engagement surrounding the aircraft and its history. Finally, it’s important to remember the environmental costs associated with its service and not let our appreciation of the aircraft blind us to its full impact on the environment.
