What's this bit on the DH Mosquito?

[The Rat]

I've tried searching, but perhaps without the correct terms, because I have no idea what the term would be. There's a long horizontal protruding thingy on the starboard side of the fuselage, extending back from the trailing edge of the wing. No similar thingy on the port side. I've often wondered what it is, can someone help? (Once someone tells me what it is, I will probably forget within days...)

[Nick]

I think this is a reinforcement strake because of the access door below.

Go to the last set of pictures 70-73 on here https://www.largescaleplanes.com/walkaround/wk.php?wid=123

This is also informative: https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/dh98-mosquito-external-fuselage-strake-reinforcement.58275/

[The Rat]

I think this is a reinforcement strake because of the access door below.

AHA! Now I won't forget it, because that was my first thought. Just couldn't figure out why it was only on one side, but the door placement makes sense. Thanks! 

[The Wooksta!]

Reinforcement as with the hatch there, it was a natural weak point.  The early short nacelle bombers didn't have it, neither did the early night fighters.

The Sea Mosquitoes, as well as the B.IVs and PR.XVIs modified for and operated by 618 Sqn for Operation Oxtail, had the hatch moved underneath and a second strake on the port side.  There were also three PR16s converted for carrier ops post war, (RG171-173), in a similar manner.

This one, RG173, had me intrigued for years, until I finally managed to get some decent photos to confirm my suspicions.

You cannot view this attachment. You cannot view this attachment.

One of a number of former Royal Navy PR16s that were intended for the Israelis but left to rot at Thruxton after they were refused permission to fly.  Note the port side reinforcement strake and the arrestor hook mount.

The TT39s had the strake removed but others further aft either side.


One of the others at Thruxton - IN COLOUR! - with a view of said hatch.

You cannot view this attachment.

The FAA seem to have used quite a few Mosquito PR16s post war, mostly for training.  One of the three navalised ones retained it's PRU Blue scheme and had four blade props.

Some of the Australian produced Mosquitos had the port reinforcement strake too, the PR41s did as there's a camera hatch on the port side.

You cannot view this attachment.

The PR41 is interesting, largely as it's an FB40 (FB6) but with cameras and two stage Merlins.

[PR19_Kit]

What was that aft hatch for, access to the cameras?

[The Wooksta!]

Certainly on the PR ones, as the PR.IV  had an oblique camera in the fuselage side aft of the wing on the port side, whereas the PR.IX/XVI had one looking down on the curve of the fuselage port side base aft of the bomb bay.

Plus access to Oxygen bottles and any electronics not fitted inside the cockpit.  The radios were elsewhere in some of the fighter nose Mosquitoes.

[PR19_Kit]

Very helpful, thanks Lee.

[The Rat]

Certainly on the PR ones, as the PR.IV  had an oblique camera in the fuselage side aft of the wing on the port side, whereas the PR.IX/XVI had one looking down on the curve of the fuselage port side base aft of the bomb bay.

Plus access to Oxygen bottles and any electronics not fitted inside the cockpit.  The radios were elsewhere in some of the fighter nose Mosquitoes.

  

[The Wooksta!]

I've tried searching, but perhaps without the correct terms, because I have no idea what the term would be. There's a long horizontal protruding thingy on the starboard side of the fuselage, extending back from the trailing edge of the wing. No similar thingy on the port side. I've often wondered what it is, can someone help? (Once someone tells me what it is, I will probably forget within days...)

Percival production Mosquito B.XVIs.  They had a unique scheme, as all the other manufacturers had the undersurface colour up to a line following the top cowl, whereas Percival had the upper surface colours swooping down.  Always liked that photo.

[zenrat]

There is at least one episode of The Avengers where Steed and Mrs Peel (and IIRC in one case Roy Kinnear) are running around an airfield amongst parked up Mosquitos.  They have the nose glazing painted over and fake gun barrels attached.
The Diana Rigg years were '65 to '67.
i've always assumed that these aircraft were the ones that had been used to film 633 Squadron in '64 - TT35s modified as above.

[The Wooksta!]

Probably filmed at Bovingdon, which is where the film Mosquitoes were based.  Away from my references so can't check.

But going going back to Ratty's question, and my own witless burbling about navalised Mosquitoes, I found this photo lurking in a folder that I didn't know I had.

You cannot view this attachment.

RG173, which I posted earlier upthread, in earlier days with one of the Navy training units.  You can see the strengthening strip but no hatch, as well as the arrestor hook underneath and the four blade prop which were replaced at some point.  If you squint a bit, you can just about make out the unit codes, which would be in yellow.

[The Rat]

 

[Nick]

Probably filmed at Bovingdon, which is where the film Mosquitoes were based.  Away from my references so can't check.

It was Bovingdon aka RAF Hamelin. https://aviationtrails.wordpress.com/2017/01/29/raf-bovingdon-the-hour-that-never-was/

Going from vague memory.... Steed and Peel pass out from a car crash and find the base deserted. Strange things happen involving time stopping and they find some fiendish plot to take over the RAF by drugs or mind control.

Bovingdon has been used for many TV and film appearances - https://bovingdonairfieldstudios.com/about/history

[zenrat]

Probably filmed at Bovingdon, which is where the film Mosquitoes were based.  Away from my references so can't check.

It was Bovingdon aka RAF Hamelin. https://aviationtrails.wordpress.com/2017/01/29/raf-bovingdon-the-hour-that-never-was/

Going from vague memory.... Steed and Peel pass out from a car crash and find the base deserted. Strange things happen involving time stopping and they find some fiendish plot to take over the RAF by drugs or mind control.

Bovingdon has been used for many TV and film appearances - https://bovingdonairfieldstudios.com/about/history

Thanks mate.   

[The Wooksta!]

What was that aft hatch for, access to the cameras?

I remembered your mention when I found this image earlier whilst trawling.  Note the fingers in the darkness.

You cannot view this attachment.