DH98 Mosquito PR 41 Reconaissance Aircraft : RAAF

DH98 Mosquito PR 41 Reconnaissance aircraft finished in an overall silver post Second World War Royal Australian Air Force paint scheme. The aircraft is fitted with powerplant of two Packard-Merlin 69's (V-1650-7) 12 cylinder engines. Each propellor spinner is finished with a red, white and blue finish.

This example carried no armament, but could carry five cameras, one in the nose and four near fuselage. The PR 41 in RAAF service was equipped for long range photographic reconnaissance duties. It had a crew of 2 (staggered side by side), pilot and navigator. The latter acted as photographer, wireless operator and navigator.

This aircraft was completed after the cessation of hostilities against Japan. It first flew on 29 January 1948, by De Havilland test pilot B R Walker. The following month it was delivered to 2 Aircraft Depot Richmond, New South Wales (NSW), and subsequently ferried to 3 Aircraft Depot Archerfield, Queensland (Qld). Its last flight on RAAF charge was on 21 November 1949. In March 1953 it was given the civil registration VH-WAD and name 'Quokka'. Following a succession of owners the aircraft was purchased by Australian War Memorial in 1979. It underwent restoration at Hawker de Havilland Australia Pty Ltd in Sydney, (the successors of De Havilland Aircraft Company Pty Ltd) which was completed in 1994. This aircraft is the only complete Australian built Mosquito in existence.