During the war, and beyond, the Brit Aerospace Industry was a world beater. I dont think it gets enough credit. Neither in design of air frames or the skill of its airmen. America didnt win the air war alone.
Britain handed radar and some islands in return for 50 Town class destroyers and supplies.
Britain was probably leading the industry in the 30's and 40's in some respects, e.g. Frank Whittle of Gloster Aviation and the Mosquito is the perfect example of thinking outside the box that the Brits are so good at. It's the Japanese who are so good at improving things and the Americans who are so good with things like lightbulbs, telephones, inventions like the microchip processor, but it was the Brits who had crazy ideas like unarmed bombers, bouncing bombs and Hobart's "funnies".
Chicken/egg situation, but one of the reasons the Mossie was developed, was because it harnessed an otherwise redundant force of furniture and piano makers, who otherwise had little contribution to the war effort. It was a good way to squeeze extra juice from the workforce and in Canada, there were plenty of trees in supply.
I always imagine Hitler ranting furiously, as he decided to award 2 kills to anyone who could shoot one down.
The twist in the story was the bombing of the factory during the Battle of Britain in 1940 which massively delayed the development of the Mossie, which didn't become operational until the following year. It would have had a devastating effect on the Luftwaffe over England I am sure.
I love to see the US skins in the game, it's a nice inclusion and the 105 squadron skin is worth the $14.95 alone, as I've not really flown British bombers before, except perhaps in Warbirds, so the mossie skins and the B24 1674 HCU skin are a real pleasure to use.
My uncle worked for DH when Mossies were still operational, but once Boeing learned from the Comet airliner tragedies, Britain lost it's usefulness perhaps as aerodynamic leader and Dh's only memorable contribution was the Hawker Harrier, which US Marines used a lot as well. My uncle worked on this aircraft too, solving maths problems.
The mossie is the sexiest thing on legs, unarmed, low, fast. Leaving people standing is fun.
Check out the DH Hornet, basically a naval "development of the Mossie"-ish which didn't see service.
