The
de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito is a
British multi-role
combat aircraft with a two-man crew that served during and after the
Second World War. It was one of few operational front-line aircraft of the era constructed almost entirely of wood and was nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder". The Mosquito was also known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews. Originally conceived as an unarmed
fast bomber, the Mosquito was adapted to roles including low to medium-altitude daytime
tactical bomber, high-altitude
night bomber,
pathfinder,
day or
night fighter,
fighter-bomber,
intruder,
maritime strike aircraft, and fast
photo-reconnaissance aircraft. It was also used by the
British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) as a fast transport to carry small high-value cargoes to, and from,
neutral countries, through
enemy-controlled airspace. A single passenger could be carried in the aircraft's bomb bay, which was adapted for the purpose.