Winter, November 1944, De Havilland Mosquito B.Mk25 early morning return to RAF Downham Market from a successful bombing mission to Berlin. The aircraft in Michael Rondot’s beautiful painting is KB604 from No.608 Squadron, coded 6T-K. This was a favourite Mosquito of Flt Lt Colin Bell and his navigator Flt Lt Douglas Redmond during their tour of 50 missions with the Pathfinder and Light Night Striking Force of RAF Bomber Command.

Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, the Mosquito evolved into many roles, including pathfinder, day or night fighter, fighter-bomber, maritime strike, and photo-reconnaissance aircraft. It was widely respected and regarded by many as the best aircraft of the war. For the aircrews of RAF Bomber Command it was especially revered for its high speed and high altitude performance which enableded the Mosquito to evade German fighters and anti-aircraft defences and finish the war with the lowest loss rate of any aircraft in Bomber Command.

The edition is artist-signed and signed by three veteran centenarian Mosquito pilots:

Flight Lieutenant COLIN BELL DFC. No.608 Squadron
After pilot training in the USA in 1941 he remained with the USAAC in the US as a ‘qualified flying instructor’ until he returned to the UK to fly the Mosquito with 608 Pathfinder Squadron based at RAF Downham Market..

Flight Lieutenant GEORGE DUNN DFC. No.608 Squadron
George Dunn initially trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in 1941 before he was selected for pilot training in Canada. He flew 30 operations in Halifaxes before converting to the Mosquito and joining 608 Pathfinder Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant HARRY REED DFC. No.169 Squadron
Harry Reed flew Mosquito II night fighters with 169 Squadron on clandestine offensive counter-air intruder missions over Germany and occupied Europe. His targets were German aircraft, especially the night fighters attacking Allied bombers.

A few remarque copies and artist’s proofs are additionally signed by:

Flight Lieutenant JOHN TROTMAN DFC & BAR. No.692 Squadron
A veteran of the first 1000-bomber raids to Cologne and Essen while a trainee pilot on the Wellington OCU before joining 150 Squadron. After a spell instructing, he volunteered for a second tour flying Mosquitos with 692 Pathfinder Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant DES CURTIS DFC. No.618 &248 Squadrons
Initially a WOp/AG with 235 Sqn Beaufighters before converting to Mosquitos as a navigator with 618 Sqn and later, 248 Sqn.