143 Squadron Mosquito

[Greebo]

This is my skin of a 143 Squadron Mosquito Mk VI HR 405, which was flown by Flying Officers A. V. Randell and R. R. Rawlins. 143 Squadron was part of the Banff Strike Wing who flew missions against enemy shipping and ports on the coast of Norway. Mosquitos began to replace Beaufighters in this role from late 43 onwards. These missions were dangerous as the Germans packed their escort vessels with AA guns and there were enemy fighters to contend with. To counter these defences some of these anti-shipping aids were very large, with combined formations of up to 80 Mustangs, Beaufighters and Mosquitos.

Unusually, there are some really good photos of this particular aircraft. The light patch on the rear fuselage is where the upper D Day stripes were painted over. It looks like Coastal Command's standard extra dark sea grey paint was in short supply and the more common but lighter dark sea grey was used instead. I've assumed the same colour was used on the upper wings. When the lower stripes were painted over the right paint must have been available. The two dark areas under the tailplane are repair patches.

[lyric1]

 

[Bruv119]

nice work Greebo     

 

[Plazus]

That is one sexy mossie!