The high performance - nearly 400 mph - of the Mosquito can be attributed to its two 1,230 h.p. Rolls Royce Merlin engines and to is light wooden structure. There were two distinct versions of the aircraft, one specifically designed for the bombing role and the other a solid-nosed fighter-bomber which was also used successfully as a night fighter. The Mosquito was designed to Air Ministry Spec. B.1/40 and the first prototype was completed in the incredibly short time of eleven months and made its maiden flight on the 25th November, 1940. The Mk II version first entered RAF service in January 1942 and supplanted the Beaufighter as the standard home defence night fighter. The F.B. VI followed in mid 1943 and established itself as the premier twin-engined fighter-bomber of the war. Several notable raids were made by Mosquito intruder aircraft, including the attack on Amiens Gaol in February 1944 and on the Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen in March 1945. As well as flying intruder operations over Europe the F.B. VI was fitted with rocket projectiles beneath the wings and operated effectively with RAF Coastal Command as an anti-shipping aircraft. In addition to underwing weapons, Mosquitos were armed with four 20 mm cannons and four .303 in machine guns in the nose, whilst in an internal fuselage bay two 500 lb bombs could be carried. Transfers included in this kit are for a F.B. VI NS850, an aircraft of 418 Royal Canadian Air Force Sqn, based at Middle Wallop in August 1944 and flown on intruder missions over Europe. This aircraft, flown by Sqn Ldr Robert Kipp, scored the unit's 100th aerial victory of a final total of 178 enemy aircraft. Alternative markings are provided for HR405, a Coastal Command F.B. VI of 143 sqn. Banff Strike Wing, Scotland. This aircraft flew anti-shipping strikes against targets across the North Sea between November 1944 and May 1945. A total of 2,500 Mosquito F.B. VIs were built and the type remained in RAF service in the immediate post-war years. Performance: maximum speed, 380 mph, height 31,000 ft. Range 1,200 miles. Wing span 54 ft 2 in, length 40 ft 6 in. Nicknamed the Wooden Wonder this aircraft was one of the most versatile vehcles of the Second World War. This superb kit can be made into three versions the MKII, the FBVI and the Mk.XVIII.