Mosquito Veterans gather.....

ah Martin to have these Mossie veterans team up for a photo shoot with their LW Nachtjagd counterparts .........

it could be done

E ~

 

Blessings to you Martin! For wonderful pics of, what looks like, a wonderful event.

 

Martin, looking over the 1st class pics the top one, what is the round bubble like device on top of the canopy frame ??

E ~

 

Martin, these are fantastic photos. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful day with us! I can see your first photo inspiring a painting....

 

It's an observation blister for use by the navigator. During WWII, this canopy was only fitted to the photo-reconnaissance versions of the Mossie. Immediately post-war, it was fitted to the B.35 ( bomber ) variant - which is what TA634, the aircraft in the photo, is.

In nearly all other respects, the B.35 is visually almost identical to the wartime B. MkXVI.

 

I 'm learning every day here, I didn't notice this little blister. There is something I don't understand though. Why fit these on the upside of the aircraft and not on the undercariage, which would seem more logical to me?

 

The navigator could already view downwards through the nose panel in bomber and PRU Mosquitoes....the blister enabled him to at least stand up to take an all-round view without the engine nacelles obscuring his line-of-sight. The 'astrodome' also allowed the navigator to get a 'fix' from stars at night, if need be.....

 

so do I understand that the upper blister was standard on PRU Mossies ? funny never have seen them in wartime pics ...........

 

Seems to have been "standard" on later models E, though "One Size Does Not Fit All"...

 

To of been present and to of had the opportunity to speak with these Living treasures is indeed a blessing. Thank you for sharing your experiences of this moment.

 

Found this immage among some i have on my computer { i hope i managed to get it D/Loaded} If my memory serves this is a 140Sqdn PRU on its station somwhere in Belgium in late 1944. The building behind is a farm shed.

 

Ok Open to suggestions on how to upload photo's "jpeg" to these posts. This one shows the Nav Buble on a RAF DH 98. Cheers for your help folks.

 

Awesome photo's, what a great event that must have been!
Thanks for posting this thread.
Django

 

Thanks for posting the pic, P-p ! I believe that the airfield is Melsbroek and the 'farm building' is - if you look closely - a German hangar in disguise.....