Franklin Mint B11E375 Mosquito Diecast Model RAF No.105 Sqn, RAF Horsham St. Faith, England, 1942

The de Havilland Mosquito was a British combat aircraft that excelled in a number of roles during the Second World War. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, uses of the Mosquito included: low to medium altitude daytime tactical bomber, high altitude night bomber, pathfinder, day or night fighter, fighter-bomber, intruder, maritime strike and photo reconnaissance aircraft. It was also used as the basis for a single-seat heavy fighter, the de Havilland Hornet. The aircraft served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and many other air forces during the Second World War and postwar (see Operators below). The Mosquito was known affectionately as the ‘Mossie’ to its crews and was also known as ‘The Wooden Wonder’ or ‘The Timber Terror’ as the bulk of the aircraft was made of laminated plywood.