De Havilland Mosquito TR Mk 33

The TR Mk 33 was developed by De Havilland for the Royal Navy during 1944. Early tests were carried out on a Mosquito FB VI, which was strengthened and equipped with an arrestor hook. This aircraft was used to test the suitability of the Mosquito for carrier operations, making the first carrier landing on HMS Indefatigable on 25 March 1944. Most of the changes made to the TR Mk 33 were designed to allow the aircraft to be used from aircraft carriers, but the type never actually served at sea, only seeing service with land based Fleet Air Arm squadrons.

The TR Mk 33 was powered by two 1,635hp Merlin 25 engines. It carried four 20mm cannon, as in the night fighter variants, with American ASH radar in a solid nose. As with the fighter bomber variants, two 500lb bombs could be carried in the rear half of the bomb bay, with more bombs or extra fuel under the wings. Where the TR Mk 33 differed from earlier models was in the ability to carry an 18 inch Mk XV or XVII torpedo under the fuselage. To help the Mosquito take off from the short carrier decks with this heavy load it was equipped with Rocket Assisted Take Off Gear (RATOG) – two small rockets strapped to the fuselage. Finally, the TR Mk 33 was given folding wings – the hinge was placed outside the engines, with the wing tips folding over the top of the aircraft.

The Sea Mosquito did not enter service until August 1946, when No. 811 Squadron received the first production aircraft. It had a short operational life as a front line aircraft. No. 811 Squadron was disbanded in 1947, by which time the de Havilland Sea Hornet had been chosen to serve with the navy. Fifty TR 33s were built, seeing service with Naval support units

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (15 April 2007), De Havilland Mosquito TR Mk 33, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_mosquito_33.html

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