De Havilland Hornet
| De Havilland Hornet
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Image
caption
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| Description
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| Role |
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| Crew |
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| First Flight |
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| Entered Service |
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| Manufacturer |
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| Dimensions
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| Length | ft in | m
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| Wingspan | ft in | m
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| Height | ft in | m
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| Wing Area | ft² | m²
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| Weights
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| Empty | lb | kg
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| Loaded | lb | kg
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| Maximum Takeoff | lb | kg
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| Capacity |
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| Powerplant
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| Engines |
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| Thrust | lb | kN
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| Performance
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| Maximum Speed | mph | km/h
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| Combat Range | miles | km
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| Ferry Range | miles | km
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| Service Ceiling | ft | m
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| Rate of Climb | ft/min | m/min
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| Wing Loading | lb/ft² | kg/m²
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| Thrust/Weight |
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| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg
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| Avionics
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| Avionics |
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| Armament
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| Guns |
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| Bombs |
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| Missiles |
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| Rockets |
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| Other |
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The de Havilland Hornet was a development of de Havilland's classic Mosquito. The Hornet, DH-103 in the company's internal numbering scheme, first flew in 1944 and remained in service until 1956. Powered by twin Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, it was the fastest propeller-driven aircraft ever flown by the RAF, and the fastest wooden aircraft ever built. A navalised version, the Sea Hornet was also developed.
The Hornet was somewhat unusual in that it had propellers that rotated in opposite directions, the engines being of different marks to achieve this. The Merlin marks used were the PR131 and PR132.
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