Mosquito B Mk. XVI

With Britain under siege at the beginning of the war, and a vast shortage of metals and skilled labour to work it, inspirational design led to the construction of one of the most remarkable warplanes ever built. Constructed almost entirely of laminated wood, bonded with glue, the complex construction was undertaken by craftsmen hitherto trained in the skill of building furniture! The result was the sensational de Havilland Mosquito. Powered by its two huge Merlin engines, its sleek, shark-like design made it the fastest and most versatile aircraft of the war. Never was the old pilot’s adage “if it looks right, it’ll fly right” more this beautiful aeroplane.

Extremely fast with a breathtaking top speed well over 400 mph, the two-crew “Wooden Wonder” was also an incredibly tough yet highly versatile aircraft. So versatile in fact it flew in every role undertaken by the RAE: low-level precision strikes, high altitude bomber operations, target marking, photo-reconnaissance, night-fighter and interceptor roles, excelling in every task asked of it. Loved by its crews, the Mosquito became a legend almost as soon as it entered service.

To commemorate this much-loved and incomparable aircraft, Gerald Coulson’s evocative painting depicts a Mosquito B Mk. XVI, a high altitude bomber version, on operations deep over occupied Europe. In this guise the Mosquito was by far the fastest piston-engine bomber of World War 11, and also the only light bomber capable of delivering the devastating 4,000lb ‘block-buster’ bomb.

With prints signed by three distinguished aircrew that flew the Mosquito in combat with RAF Bomber Command’s famous Pathfinder Force, this makes a truly wonderful pictorial tribute for all those who appreciate and collect aviation art.

Overall Print Size: 22¼” wide x 19” high

Each individually numbered print is signed by THREE Mosquito crew members who flew with the RAF’s elite Pathfinder Force during World War II.

Wing Commander ROBERT BRAY
Robert flew his first tour of 32 ops with 75 (NI) Squadron on Wellingtons. After a period instructing he joined 105 Squadron, part of 8 Group, on Mosquitos, flying precision ‘Oboe’ operations, completing 87 ops. In March 1945 he was posted to command 571 Pathfinder Squadron, and then commanded 128 Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant FRANK DIAMOND DEC AE At the outbreak of war Frank was serving with the Territorial Army, transferring to the RAF in May 1941 and training as a navigator on Flying Boats. In 1943 he completed a full tour on Stirlings, and in 1944 joined the Pathfinder Force as a navigator on Mosquitos with 571 squadron, Light Night Strike Force. At the end of the war he joined Transport Command returning the wounded from Europe.

Flight Lieutenant GEOFFREY PERKS DEC Geoffrey joined the RAF in 1941. He served with 420 Squadron, part of 6 Group (RCAF), flying Wellingtons, then Halifaxes. He trans-ferred to 427 Squadron, then 434 Squadron. before finally converting to Mosquitos. Joining 571 Squadron, part of the Light Night Strike Force, he flew Mk XVI carrying 40001b ‘cookie’ bombs over Germany.

350 Signed and Numbered £95inc vat (£80.85+vat)

25 Artist Proofs £155 inc vat (£131.91+vat)

Orders from outside the European Union are free from vat.

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