<p>Britain's most versatile warplane of World War II was supplied to the USAAF in considerable numbers under Reverse Lend-Lease arrangements, primarily to fulfill reconnaissance requirements. In addition, 40 aircraft were acquired from Canadian production lines and these were the only US Mosquitoes to carry the F-8 designation. Based on the B.Mk IV bomber, the F-8s were found to have disappointing performance, and only 16 were shipped to the war zone in Europe, and in the event were not employed operationally.
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<p>The much better PR.Mk XVI was supplied by Britain to the 8th Air Force in early 1944, and this became the main US operational variant, although a handful of T.Mk III dual-control trainers were also supplied. The principal operational unit was the 653rd Bomb Squadron (part of the 25th Bomb Group), operating from Watton in Norfolk, whose main task was weather reconnaissance. Aircraft so employed featured red tail surfaces. In addition to these aircraft, the 653rd operated PR.Mk XVIs with H2X radar for reconnaissance, and 12 aircraft fitted for chaff dispensing. The shadowy 654th BS flew seven PR.Mk XVIs under Operation Red Stocking, equipped to communicate with agents and Resistance groups in occupied territory. The PR.Mk XVI was a pressurized high-altitude version which introduced a small astrodome for celestial navigation.
