ASH Mosquito's

[Coors 54]

I'm hoping that the sages amongst you may be able to answer a question. I will post this request on the mossie.org site as well.
When aircraft were converted to carry the ASH radar scanner "bomb" in the nose were the airframes "standard" FB VI's and therefore did they still have the ability to carry and release a bombload? This question relates to the instrument panel layout and bomb bay fittings.

There is also the perenial problem of radio fit for late war fighters - in the cockpit, in the fuselage and what was on the back shelf of the cockpit? Monica box? Rebbecca?

Dave

[Nick Beale]

A book that you might find helpful is Martin Streetly's "The Aircraft of 100 Group" which has extensive diagrams and descriptions of radar and electronic installations in Mosquitos and other types.

[Coors 54]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the reply. I have that book and although very good it is showing its age these days. It has a small cutaway of an ASH equipped Mosquito but it is so small it is almost useless except for general arrangements. The instrument panel diagrams do not show the layout for an ASH aircraft either.
I am of the opinion that these aircraft had the long range tank fitted in the bomb bay and were used purely as night fighters so I am assuming the instrument panel lacked the bomb release panel at the side.
Gee boxes are well documented as to placement but radio fit and Rebecca and Monica boxes less well.
I reckon that the aircraft of 100 Group could be revisited in the light of new information and produced in a more modern format with larger photos and diagrams. It is such a fascinating subject and the precursor of all modern electronic warfare. Do you hear me Mr Streetly?

I note you are in Exeter - I'm up the road in Okehampton, small world eh?

[Larry]

You might also get some info from this book:

'Confounding the Reich - The Operational History of 100 Group (Bomber Support) RAF'

by Martin W Bowman, ISBN 1 85260 507 3 from PSL Publications.

Sadly I do not have a copy to refer to for you.

NB - In the Squadron Signal book - Mosquito in Action Part 1 (on page 43) there is a photo showing the inside of an FAA Mosquito with ASH (and even though it was a TR Mk 33 I think it would have had a similar cockpit to the RAF ones used by 23 Sqn.

[ATCCbengt]

Hi Dave.
I've lately been going through the operational record books for 23 and 515 squadrons (the two Mosquito squadrons equipped with ASH), researching sorties over Norway late in the war. The Mosquitos could carry normal bomb load if required and had MONICA fittet. In the book Confound and destroy, also by Mr. Streetly, there is a photo of the Mk. X radar display in a NF. Mk.XXX which also shows the MONICA display. I cant remember anything about REBECCA being mentioned in the ORBs. I could check though.

Ragards,
Bengt

[hooter]

They could carry 2 x 500Ibs in the bomb bay and had 4 cannon underneath.
They all had drop tanks and minus the machine guns in the nose due to the radar
They were all converted fbVI's-in 23 squadron all RS5??, my fathers was RS507-yp-'c'

[Coors 54]

Thanks to all for your input. Confounding the Reich answers most of my questions, the aircraft could carry bombs and incendiaries in the bomb bay or the extra long range tanks depending on the mission profile. Late war sorties seem to have carried bombs as a matter of course.
From this I would deduce that the instrument panel was laid out as a standard FB VI with the bomb selector panel on the right and the ASH scope etc would be shoe horned next to it. The Sea Mosquito layout idea is a good one but probably had a bit more thought put into it so I'm not going to follow that.
The rear shelf had several other black boxes added to it and pictures show two small intakes next to the ASH radome at 5 and 7 o'clock presumably for cooling. As late production aircraft they also carried the landing lights in the starboard leading edge not under the wing. All escoteric stuff but important to model geeks!