Was the Mosquito Bomber the Fastest Prop Plane of WW2?

The de Havilland Mosquito was not only one of the most versatile aircraft of World War II, but also one of the fastest. Specifically, the Mosquito FB Mk VI, a fighter-bomber variant, could reach speeds of around 400 mph (640 km/h). This speed made it superior to many of its contemporaries such as the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire. However, there are several aspects to consider when discussing the speed of the Mosquito and its place in the history of the war.

The Speeds of the Mosquito and Its Contemporaries

To provide some context, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of approximately 340 mph (550 km/h). The Spitfire's top speed varied depending on the specific variant, ranging from about 360 mph (580 km/h) to around 450 mph (725 km/h) for later models like the Spitfire Mk IX. The Mosquito definitely stood out during this period, particularly in its early variants.

However, while the Mosquito was indeed faster than the early versions of the Hurricane and Spitfire, some of the later Spitfire variants could match or even exceed its speed. The combination of speed, range, and versatility made the Mosquito a highly effective aircraft despite these limitations.

Speed of the Mosquito in Different Missions

It is important to note that not all Mosquito variants were built for speed. The most powerful Merlin engines were reserved for aircraft that needed both high speed and altitude, primarily reconnaissance aircraft. For example, the reconnaissance variants of the Mosquito were capable of reaching speeds between 400 to 430 mph (640 to 690 km/h).

Bomber versions of the Mosquito rarely exceeded 400 mph (640 km/h). The production of these aircraft was often tailored to specific missions. Bombers typically received engines with single-speed superchargers or single-stage superchargers, as they did not require the same level of speed or altitude as reconnaissance aircraft.

Various other aircraft during World War II surpassed the maximum speed of the Mosquito. For instance, the P-47M, P-51H, and late-war German aircraft like the Ta-152 could exceed the Mosquito's top speed by 40 mph or more.

Comparing the Mosquito to Other Aircraft

While the Mosquito was a brilliant design, it was not the fastest propeller-driven aircraft of World War II. The fastest prop aircraft to see operational service was the P-47M, with a maximum speed of 473 mph (761 km/h).

However, the Mosquito was faster than the most numerous German interceptors, such as the Me109 versions up to G and the FW190 versions preceding the Dora, which had a maximum speed of 426 mph (685 km/h). In comparison to later marks of the Spitfire, such as the Spitfire Mk XIV, which had a top speed of 446 mph (718 km/h), the Mosquito was slower. Furthermore, it was also slower than later marks of the Messerschmitt Me 109 and Focke-Wulf FW 190.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Mosquito was undoubtedly a remarkable aircraft and one of the fastest prop-driven planes in World War II, it was not the fastest. Various aircraft of the era, such as the P-47M and later war prop planes, had significantly higher top speeds. The versatility and speed of the Mosquito were crucial to its effectiveness in various combat roles during the war.