de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk VI
de Havilland · GB · first flew 1942 · fighter
The FB Mk VI was the most-produced Mosquito variant and the definitive fighter-bomber, combining four cannon and four machine guns in the nose with bomb and rocket capability — equally deadly against shipping, trains and airfields.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.43 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four 20 mm Hispano cannon in the lower nose — four large muzzle openings visible in the fairing below the cockpit
- Four .303 Browning machine guns in the upper nose panel above the cannon
- Underwing hardpoints for eight rocket projectiles or two 250/500 lb bombs
Four cannon muzzles and four machine-gun barrels in the nose are unmistakable. Distinguish from NF marks by the absence of a radar AI nose radome (NF marks have a solid nose or thimble radome). Distinguish from B Mk IV by the nose armament. The clean, uncluttered nacelles of the Merlin 21/25 sit close under the wing.
Specifications
- The de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk VI has a length of 12.43 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.51 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 612 km/h (380 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
2,584 built, entering service in 1942. It became the standard Mosquito of Coastal Command and No. 2 Group, famous for low-level precision attacks including the Amiens prison raid. Also used as a night intruder over Germany.
Variants
Series I (short bomb bay, 250 lb bombs only); Series II (modified wing hardpoints for 500 lb bombs or drop tanks). Many were modified for specific roles with different radar or navigation fits.
Where you'll see it
RAF Coastal Command, No. 2 Group, No. 100 Group; RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF, South African AF. The FB VI is the most common Mosquito type in museum collections worldwide and the majority of airworthy Mosquitos are FB VIs.
Related aircraft
- de Havilland Mosquito FB.VI
- de Havilland Mosquito T Mk III
- de Havilland Mosquito B Mk IV
- de Havilland Mosquito B.IV
- Aichi E16A Zuiun
- Bell P-59 Airacomet
- Bell P-63 Kingcobra
- Bereznyak-Isayev BI-1
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