Mosquito Photo-Reconnaissance Units of World War 2

Osprey Combat Aircraft No.13
By Martin Bowman
Osprey Publishing, 1999
ISBN 1-85532-891-7
96 pages

Available from
Squadron Mail Order for $17.95

Reviewed by Bob Pearson

The de Havilland Mosquito has been featured in many publications in the past, most however focus on the numerous fighter variants or else the equally impressive bombers. In this third volume in the Osprey Combat Aircraft Series devoted to the Mosquito, the photo-reconnaissance variants and those who flew them are given their due.

The book opens with a description of the genesis of the PRU Mossies and then goes on to detail many of the exploits of the crews, with many first-person narratives describing such events as photographing Tirpitz. Following the RAF, there is a chapter on USAF operations, another in India and finally Commonwealth service.

As is usual with this series there is a wonderous collections of profiles by Chris Davey which it is stated are the first time in print for any of them. These include some of the more colourful Middle Eastern RAF ones with red/white striped tails (after USAF fighters took to attacking some Mosquitos thinking they were Me410s), as well as the bright red tailed USAF PR Mossies.

The book concludes with 1/96 drawings of a PR.XVI, PR.I and PR.34, and then descriptions of all the profiles included.

Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the Mosquito.

Thanks to Squadron Mail Order for the review sample