An iconic World War Two aircraft which has just undergone a five year restoration project celebrated 75 years since its maiden flight this week.

The de Havilland Mosquito was rolled out of its hanger at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum in London Colney on Wednesday during a special event to mark the occasion.

Guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Countess Verulam, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Jonathan Trower, St Albans Mayor Salih Gaygusuz, Mayor of Hertsmere Martin Worster, the chief executive of the RAF Museum Maggie Appleton and Second World War Mosquito aircrew veterans.

The de Havilland Mosquito, glistening in its newly applied paintwork at the end of a five-year full restoration project aided by a £41,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, is the star resident at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum.

The prototype, W4050, was used for three years as a flying test bed for different versions of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine which powered thousands of the Royal Air Force fighters and bombers.

W4050 became the fastest Mosquito of the near-8,000 built, reaching 439mph in level flight.

It was returned to de Havilland at Hatfield and in 1959 became the first aircraft at the museum set up by the owner of Salisbury Hall, Walter Goldsmith.

The museum is open to the public Friday to Sunday, November 27th-29th, and will then close for winter maintenance, reopening on Sunday, March 6th 2016.