No 487 (NZ) Squadron of the RAF was instrumental in carrying out some of the most famous and dramatic air attacks of all time. During the Second World war its crews were renowned for low-level, precision bombing. Formed in England in 1942, the squadron initially flew the Lockheed Ventura, but then reequipped with the legendary de Havilland Mosquito. Half its pilots were New Zealanders. No. 487's operations were so low-level that aircraft windscreens were splashed with salt spray while crossing the sea and many hit trees and buildings. In the last year of the war it specialised in nocturnal 'Intruder' operations in which aircraft set out as lone-wolf predators, prowling across France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany to ravage enemy transport. A third of the men who flew operations with 487 died with it. But no other combat unit as small made a greater impact on the war.