Airframe Album No 8: The De Havilland Hornet & Sea Hornet by Richard A. Franks, Valiant Wings Publishing
The de Havilland DH.103 Hornet was a twin-piston engined fighter aircraft that further exploited the wooden construction techniques pioneered by de Havilland's earlier Mosquito. Entering service at the end of the WW2, the Hornet equipped postwar RAF Fighter Command day fighter units in the UK and was later used successfully as a strike fighter in Malaya. The Sea Hornet was a carrier-capable version. The prototype made its first flight on 19th April 1944. A total of 383 were built from 1945 to 1950. It had a crew of one and a powerplant of two Rolls Royce Merlin 130/131 12-cylinder engines (2070 hp each). Armament was 4X20mm Hispano cannons in lower fuselage nose plus underwing bombs/rockets. Construction was of mixed balsa/plywood, similar to the Mosquito but much more robust. The aft sliding perspex canopy offered much better visibility to the pilot than the Mosquito.
The Hornet/Sea Hornet was historically unlucky because it had to compete with the up-and-coming jet engine aircraft of the late war and early post WWII era. Nevertheless it was liked by its pilots due to its easy handling and crisp control response, which instilled confidence in its abilities. Given the impending jet revolution however, it lasted from first flight in 1944 to 1956 when the last airframes were withdrawn from service.
This book is Valiant Wings’ biggest yet in the “Airframe Album” series, is perfect-bound in a softback cover, and consists of 146 pages of text, drawings, plans and contemporary photographs, some of which are in (very rare) colour. It is the eighth title in this series and an essential companion for anyone tackling the HPH (1/32), Trumpeter or Classic Airframes (1/48) and the Special Hobby and Frog kits in 1/72 scale.
Contents are broken down as follows:
Introduction
A brief narrative history of the development and operation use of the Hornet and Sea Hornet by the RAF and RN (16 pages)
Technical Description
Detailed coverage of construction and equipment (80 pages with cockpit images and diagrams, also canopy details, forward, main & aft sections, pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical systems, radio, radar, wings-radiators, ailerons-flaps, tail, undercarriage, engine, propeller, cowling, exhausts & armament)
Evolution – Prototype, Production and Projected Variants
3D isometrics views (by Wojciech Sankowski) illustrating differences between variants. As always very helpful for anyone wishing to understand the differences between the various sub-types! (10 pages)
Camouflage & Markings
Colour side profiles, notes and photographs. This section includes some rare colour photos and over 30 colour profiles by Richard Caruana (21 pages).
Models
1/72nd scale Special Hobby Sea Hornet NF Mk 21 kit, by Libor Jekl
1/48th scale Trumpeter Hornet F Mk.1 kit, by Steve A. Evans
Appendices
I Hornet & Sea Hornet Kit List in all scales
II Hornet & Sea Hornet Accessory & Decal List in all scales
III Bibliogrpahy (books & magazines/periodicals)
The book contains a wealth of useful information and it fills an important gap in aviation/modelling bibliography. There are photos of pretty much every aspect of the interior and exterior, all very welcome to anyone attempting to detail their kit, or make it more accurate in shape and detail. One of the best and unique sections are the 3D isometrics that point out all the major differences between variants. The model builds are all of top quality, giving great inspiration and ideas/suggestions about adding extra detailing parts.
Conclusion
A great book from Valiant Wings. Very highly recommended!
Price is £17.95 per copy + postage and packing.
The book is available from all good hobby stores and specialist bookshops and also directly from Valiant Wings website: http://www.valiant-wings.co.uk/airframe-album-no8-554-p.asp
By phone on 01234 273434 (+44 1234 273434 if calling from outside the UK) or by writing to:
Valiant Wings Publishing
8 West Grove
Bedford
MK40 4BT
(ISBN is 9-780993-09080-6)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Hornet
