The de Havilland Sea Mosquito?

[KJakker 902]

I just found out about the Sea Mosquito, a carrier capable Mosquito variant, while search for some info on WWII twin engine aircraft earlier today. I found this blog post "The de Havilland Sea Mosquito" that talks about it. I did not see it in the downloads section and a search of the forum for "Sea Mosquito" turned up nothing. I was wondering if the Mosquito team would be interested in creating the de Havilland Sea Mosquito?

 

Below is a quote of a segment of the blog post linked above.  

 

The Mosquito was a great success in a number of operational configurations, and in different theatres, however, one of the lesser well-known variants, and less successful, was the Sea Mosquito.

 

Impressed with the performance of the aircraft, the Admiralty showed an interest in obtaining a carrier-based version. The de Havilland Aircraft Company put forward the idea of a redesigned model based on the FB.VI – the concept was soon accepted. Trials began soon after in which Mosquito LR359 was adapted, the body strengthened to take the strain of arrester hook landings; its weight was reduced and the Merlin power plants improved.  These tests proved successful, and the first carrier landing completed in late March 1944 by Lt Cdr Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown onboard HMS Indefatigable.

 

This was a major achievement in many ways, not only for the Navy, but it was the first time any twin-engined aircraft had landed on a sea-based carrier. Further tests followed, and a second Mosquito, also adapted for naval use, joined LR359 in trials onboard naval carriers.

 

The scene had been set and the Admiralty put forward a specification for a full production naval version, which de Havilland would designate the TR.33.

 

As with all naval carriers, space was of a premium and so the new version had wing modifications that allowed them to fold. A new and improved landing gear was also needed for the heavy landings that a carrier-based aircraft would be subjected to. Radar was also installed with later adaptations giving the aircraft an odd ‘thimble-shaped’ nose. In addition, attachments for torpedoes were added to the belly of the aircraft giving it greater anti-shipping capabilities.

 

The first production model, TW227, left the factory in late 1945, but orders came through too late to meet the Japanese threat. Of the initial 100 ordered, only 50 were ever completed. Further trials were undertaken, and the TR.33 would be modified to form the TR.37. This had armament modifications and an upgraded radar system. Again, as with the TR.33, only a few ever made it out of the factory, with only 6 of the original order being completed.

 

Mosquitoes, whilst being outstanding aircraft, only ever made it to one frontline naval service, 811 squadron of the Fleet Air Arm. Most that were produced were operated from land-based stations and were involved in various trials around munitions development and investigations into naval capabilities. Of those that were made, many of them, in particular the TR.33s, were modified back to regular models and sold off to other air forces, notably the Israeli Air Force.

 

No further seaworthy variants were made and production concentrated on the land-based models.

 

[Wrench 9,857]

iirc, the DAT may have one

which, of course, does almost no one any good.

I know they also have a Sea Hornet

 

 

one could make one out of pasko's, but the hook would exist as ini statements only. nor would there be folding wings, nor 4-bladded props and the other physical changes - most especially the NF30 style nose for the AI Mk.XV radar (source: modlers datafile: mosquito)

[+Stary 2,427]

wait, no one build Mossie of any sort since Pasko? DAT aside as not everyone has acess

[Wrench 9,857]

even their versions (Tsetse is the only 'new' one)  are all Pasko's, albeit reskinned, but with all the original issues.

[KJakker 902]

Thanks for the info. I thought that the newer packages had a newer model in them that could be modified. I think all of those Bristol Beaufighters that have been put out confused me into thinking the same was true of the Mosquito.

 

As for DAT, I got slapped onto their   list almost two years ago. I sometimes wonder how they are still around with a website that appears to be practically designed to trick people into making mistakes.  That is all I am going to say on that.    

Edited January 26, 2016 by KJakker