The de Havilland Aircraft Company DH.103 Hornet in many ways represents the peak of piston-engine fighter design. With its slim fuselage, clean lines and tightly cowled engines, great attention was paid from the outset on maximising performance. The prototype DH.103 (RR915) was built on a private venture basis and flew for the first time on 28th July 1944.
Designed around the successful wooden construction principals of the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito, the DH.103 Hornet was powered by a pair of 2,070 hp Merlin engines driving opposite-handed propellers. At Boscombe Down the trials revealed an astonishing maximum speed of 485 mph at 22,000 ft. The type was also reported to possess 'superb handling characteristics', particularly in respect of its high rate of roll.
Initially conceived for operations in the Pacific Theatre against the Imperial Japanese Forces during the Second World War, the conflict had ended before the aircraft reached operational status. Two main marks saw service with the RAF Fighter Command: the DH.103 F Mk 1 and then the DH.103 F Mk 3, with the latter having increased fuel capacity and a large dorsal fin. Armament was four 20mm cannon and wing hard points with either eight ground attack rockets, or a pair of 1,000 lb bombs. Alternatively, two 200 gallon drop tanks could be fitted.
The DH.103 Hornet saw active service in the Far East as a Strike Fighter during the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s, replacing Bristol Beaufighters and Vickers Supermarine Spitfires. The Hornet also saw service with the Royal Navy, initially as a single seat fighter (Sea Hornet F 20).
During its production life, the main modifications were wing-folding and the fitment of an arrester hook. Provision was also made for an oblique reconnaissance camera, mounted in the rear of the fuselage. Subsequently, the type was adapted as a two-seat night fighter (NF.21) with a radome in the nose and a seat for the observer in the rear fuselage. The final naval variant was an unarmed reconnaissance version, the DH.103 Sea Hornet PR.22.