de Havilland Mosquito PR Mk 34
de Havilland / Hunting Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1945 · transport aircraft
The de Havilland Mosquito PR Mk 34 was the ultimate long-range photo-reconnaissance variant of the Mosquito, fitted with Merlin 114 engines, an enlarged fuel capacity including a bulged bomb-bay tank, and cameras optimised for high-altitude strategic reconnaissance. It had the greatest range of any Mosquito variant.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Distinctive bulged lower fuselage for overload fuel tank |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Long-range photo-reconnaissance Mosquito with bulged bomb bay for extra fuel
- No armament, two Merlin 114 engines
- Distinctive bulged lower fuselage for overload fuel tank
Distinguished from bomber Mosquitos by the characteristic bulged lower fuselage housing the overload fuel tank, absence of bomb-aimer windows, and camera ports along the lower fuselage sides.
Specifications
- The de Havilland Mosquito PR Mk 34 has a length of 12.47 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.51 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 684 km/h (425 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed late in World War II for operations over Japan from bases in South East Asia, the PR Mk 34 entered service in 1945 and continued in RAF use into the early 1950s, serving with No. 81 Squadron among others in the Far East. Hunting Aircraft (formerly Percival) was involved in production.
Variants
The PR Mk 34 was the definitive photo-reconnaissance Mosquito; the PR Mk 34A introduced minor equipment updates. It was the last major PR variant before the type was replaced by jet reconnaissance aircraft.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the RAF in South East Asia and later in the UK and Far East into the early 1950s; not in service anywhere today.
Related aircraft
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