Model Forum / General / Models / April 2004

You have the SAM book, but which SAM? Scale Aircraft Modelling (Combat
Colours: two books by Paul Lucas) or Scale Aviation Modeller (SAM
Modellers Datafile 1: The De Havilland Mosquito by Richard A. Franks)? I
have both and can add the Osprey book (Comabat Aircraft 13: Mosquito
Photo-Reconnaissance Units of World War 2: Martin Bowyer) which is very
good too.

Bowman says that between April and June 1942, four NFII's were diverted
to the PRU at Benson as PRII's.  I can only guess that they would have
been repainted from the Smooth Night factory finish, probably to PRU
Blue, although the official scheme at that time was Dark Green and Ocean
 Grey over PRU Blue; and Lucas provides some evidence that whatever the
brasshats said, the units were painting them Sky Grey and Dark Slate
Grey over PRU Blue!  The first four PRII's were acquired as stopgaps by
the PRU, after having seen service in the NF role, and don't seem to
have lasted long, the lack of wing or bomb-bay tanks possibly counting
against them.  I can find no photos.

In late 1943, two more NFII's (DD744 was one) were converted to PR II
standard and joined No. 60 Sqn SAAF in Tripoli.  Franks has a photo of
DD744 which shows it to be painted overall Aluminium with Night
spinners, to have full-length bomb-bay doors (hence I assume the cannon
were removed), and to retain the nose mg's.  This is the only photo of a
PRII I can find.  I have no idea where the cameras were installed.

In sum, the PR II's seem to have been converted from in-service NF II's
and would have been repainted by their receiving units as they saw fit.
 None seems to have been delivered from the factory as a PR II.

You lucky, lucky, lucky, - - - I wish I had the room!