de Havilland D.H. 103 "Hornet" Fighter
The Hornet was a high-performance twin-engined fighter, based on de Havilland's Mosquito experience, although it was a single-seater, and smaller than the Mosquito. The construction incorporated metal underwing surfaces, and it had handed engines (rotating in opposite directions) to elminate torque. It was de Havilland's last piston-engined operational aircraft, being designed for the Far East war but not coming into service until after WWII. It was used in combat only in the uprising in Malasia following WWII against "terrorists". There it typically performed ground-attack missions using rockets as there was no problem with air supremacy. A total of 211 were built for the RAF, and they remained in service until 1955 because the Hornet had a better range than jet fighters. The RN adopted the aircraft as the Sea Hornet.
Technical Details
The Hornet was a single seat fighter powered by a pair of 2070hp R.R. Merlin 130/131engines. It attained a maximum speed of 472 mph (760 km/h) with a maximum range of 3,000 miles (4800 km) and a ceiling of 35,000 ft (10670 m). It was armed with four 20-mm cannons in the nose and eight rockets or 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs under the wings. It was also capable of having radar installed under one wing.
Canadian Aces Home Page
Image From:
Courtesy of David Sheppard, used with his permission
Technical Data from:
Military Aircraft Database
The Lore of Flight, Crescent Books, 1986