The latest World War II aircraft to land on your Oxford airfield is that of the valiant little De Havilland Mosquito, making another appearance this time as a Night Fighter (NF). Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito was a British twin-engined shoulder winged multi-role combat aircraft which took its first flight in November 1940. By 1941 it was the fastest operational aircraft in the world. The effectiveness of the Mosquito saw its use extended as a high altitude night bomber, as modelled here, where you will notice the authentic lack of gun turrets.

At the beginning of World War II, 23 Squadron RAF was equipped with Blenheims as a night fighter squadron before they moved to the highly effective DH Mosquito in July 1942. By 1943 the Squadron and its Mosquito aircraft were based in Luqa in Malta from where they were able to attack enemy airfields and railway targets throughout Sicily, Italy and Tunisia.

Our 1:72 scale model is decorated in a matt black body colour scheme with dark red markings. Note 23 Squadron’s YP Squadron code which was used between September 1939 and May 1945, printed on each side of the fuselage with the RAF roundel in between. The roundels also appear on the upper wings, together with an interesting rectangular notice on each side of the cockpit canopy indicating No Step! Heaps of history here for aviation enthusiasts concentrating on World War II.