I was on the top of the port wing, filling the wing fuel tanks, when I noticed a neat 5” hole in the leading edge. I reported this and it was inspected by ‘Top Brass’ and it was discovered that it was a ricochet from 20mm cannon mounted in the nose of the aircraft. Because it had penetrated the main spar, it was deemed a ‘write-off’.
In the following days it was completely stripped of all its’ parts. I removed both engines, the armourers did their bit, riggers and electricians their work. We loaded the fuselage hulk into a low trailer and I towed it out into the desert towards French Point on the Canal and dumped it.
Some weeks later, on a hot Sunday, we booked out some .22 cal rifles and, using our 15 cwt Ford V8 Truck, went on a shooting trip thinking we might bag one of the high flying buzzards or whatever they were. No chance of course, but a bit of fun anyway. Whilst driving around we came across the partially covered wreck of the Mosquito. The locals had taken their bits and pieces from what had been left so all that remained was the front section of the fuselage and Perspex nose section.
Up for anything to lighten our boredom, I ‘accidentally on purpose’
reversed the truck into the Perspex nose section, breaking off a large 12”
section. We then returned to our billet and I walked in with a long face,
clutching the section of nose. As I was one of the Squadrons’ tractor
drivers responsible for towing aircraft into the hanger, my story of hitting
one of the planes accidentally whilst towing seemed very plausible!
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Ford Tractor I used for towing aircraft |
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After Monday morning parade, we all set off for the days work in the hanger. It was hilarious to see every-body’s obsession to check every aircraft for nose damage, then to see some disappointment at finding nothing. We all had a good laugh later though.