Q&A · 44:27-44:40

Would more aluminium change the Mosquito?

Extra aluminium does not remove the industrial logic behind building the Mosquito from non-metal resources.

Question

Would access to more Norwegian aluminium cause Britain to build the Mosquito from metal?

Short answer

No; the Mosquito's construction drew on Britain's wider industrial base, although extra aluminium could support other programs.

Notes

Additional aluminium would not turn the Mosquito into a conventional metal aircraft. Its construction allowed Britain to use a wider industrial base rather than competing only for the same metalworking capacity. More Scandinavian aluminium could still relieve shortages and support other production, but it would not remove the organizational logic behind the Mosquito. The answer distinguishes raw-material abundance from the reasons a design was selected.