A famous wartime aircraft built and tested in Hertfordshire has been recognised among the greatest technical achievements this country has ever produced.
The de Havilland Mosquito Prototype, currently housed at its museum in London Colney, was recently handed an Engineering Heritage Award by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
The Second World War multi-role wooden aircraft joins other famous holders of the award, including the original Whittle jet engine, Concorde supersonic jet airliner, the E-Type Jaguar sports car, and London’s Tower Bridge.
Museum curator Alistair Hodgson said: “This is a very prestigious award, and it demonstrates the significance of the collection which we have at the museum.
“The Mosquito pioneered aircraft construction techniques that are still in use today, and the award affirms the status of the aircraft as one of the UK’s foremost engineering achievements.”
The Mosquito was designed in 1939 by a dedicated team at the de Havilland Aircraft Company, based at the historic Salisbury Hall Tudor mansion in London Colney.
The prototype was the first of four built in a special hangar there.
It made its maiden flight on November 25, 1940, at the company’s airfield in Hatfield, and is now the star attraction at the museum, along with two more Mosquitos which together form the world’s largest collection of the aircraft.
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