De Havilland Hornet Country: UK Type: Fighter Manufacturer: De Havilland Service: 1946 - 1956 First Flight: 28 July 1944 Production: 383

The British de Havilland DH.103 Hornet was a piston engine fighter that further exploited the wooden construction techniques pioneered by de Havilland's classic Mosquito. Entering service at the end of the Second World War, the Hornet postwar equipped Fighter Command day fighter units in the UK and later was used with success as a strike fighter in Malaya. The Sea Hornet was a carrier-capable version.

Hornet was designed as a private venture for a long-range fighter for use in the Pacific Theater in the war against Japan. From an early stage it was also envisaged that the Hornet should be adaptabke for naval use, operating from carriers. As a result priority was given to ease of control, especially at low speeds, and good pilot visibility. Construction was of mixed balsa/ply similar to the earlier de Havilland Mosquito.

The Hornet prototype RR915 first flew on 28 July 1944 with Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. at the controls. Powered by twin Merlin engines, it was the fastest piston-engined fighter in Royal Air Force service. The Hornet entered service in 1946. All Hornets were withdrawn from operational service by mid-1956.

General characteristics