The "Mossie", sometimes known as the "wooden wonder" since it was built mostly of plywood, began life as a private venture and, for this reason, was almost not accepted for military production. Fortunately, its performance trials were so impressive that any initial prejudices against the aircraft were quickly forgotten. It was initially built as an unarmed reconnaissance aircraft and light bomber relying on high speed to avoid interception. When it entered service in late 1941, it was as fast or faster at low altitude than any German interceptor available to stop it. This, combined with the bomber version's range and ability to haul a load more than three times that of a Blenheim, made it a formidable low altitude raider. It didn't take long for someone to suggest making a fighter-bomber out of the Mosquito and early in 1943 the F.B. Mk. VI appeared with a solid nose containing four 20mm cannon and four machine guns - an awesome amount of firepower considering it was still able to carry up to 2,000 lbs. of bombs and fuel tanks. An outstanding aircraft, the Mosquito served until the end of the war in many different roles.
TACTICS: The Mk.VI is a fighter-bomber with reasonably good air combat performance, but avoid tight-turning dogfights. Use "slashing" attacks, extending away at high speed before perhaps reversing for another attack. Stay moving fast and attempt to minimize the importance of maneuver. Your guns are powerful enough that you can often bring down an enemy fighter with a single close-range burst, so be content to limit your battles to those where you start in an advantageous position and can gain a few kills in one or two moves. Then, as surviving enemies inevitably begin to outmaneuver you, break off combat at high speed. This isn't cowardice, it's a wise tactical retreat. Remember that your advantage in top speed is far greater at low altitudes so attempt to fight (or at least escape) there.
STRENGTHS: Awesome firepower. Tough and well-armored. Very fast for an airplane of its size, especially at low altitudes.
WEAKNESSES: Poor maneuverability (compared to fighters).
