Country Life 43 by Gerald Coulson  It is a cold, misty winters day in 1943 and a pair of Mosquitoes B. Mk IV return from a low level precision bombing raid over Occupied Europe. As the sun rises over the East Anglian countryside the unmistakable sound of Merlin engines shatter the silence as these magnificent aircraft emerge from the mist skimming across the landscape, heading back to their Norfolk base. The de Havilland Mosquito was one of the most versatile aircraft of WWII, taking part in almost every role that the RAF employed. As a Night Fighter it became famous for its excellent record and was also used for precision bombing and photo-reconnaissance, where its speed and height put it beyond the reach of the opposition. Later it became prolific with the Strike Wings in an Anti Shipping role and with the Pathfinder Squadrons - piloted by such notable figures as Guy Gibson and Leonard Cheshire. Having a maximum speed of over 400mph the Mosquito had superb maneuverability and could out perform most other aircraft of the time. With a unique airframe constructed of wood the Mosquito was light but exceptionally strong and had a reputation with its crews of being able to get them home even when heavily damaged. Few other aircraft were so highly regarded by the crew that flew them and enthusiasts alike, making the Mosquito one of the greatest aircraft of WWII.  During 1943 Mosquito Squadrons were involved in many precision bombing raids over specific targets in Germany, its design making it ideal for this role - Berlin and back took only four hours and at around 28,000 feet German fighters were unable to touch it. The first two RAF units to be equipped with the B. Mk IV were Squadron Nos. 105 and 139. Both were used in strikes against specialist targets such as rail marshalling yards and key industrial plants, with the attacks being mounted along the length and breadth of Western Europe. Flying at low level and using maximum cloud cover, the crews were largely able to strike their targets and return with minimal losses. One famous raid was to Berlin on 30th January 1943 - the tenth anniversary of Hitler's ascension to power - when the Mosquitoes presence over the Reich Capital totally disrupted a speech due to be given by Hermann Goering. Mission by Moonlight by Gerald Coulson.   To commemorate this much-loved and incomparable aircraft, Gerald Coulsons evocative painting depicts a Mosquito B Mk. XVI, a high altitude bomber version, on operations deep over occupied Europe. In this guise the Mosquito was by far the fastest piston-engine bomber of World War II, and also the only light bomber capable of delivering the devastating 4,000lb block-buster bomb.