de Havilland Hornet – Model Airplane Videos
Ted Allison was the modeller responsible for the de Havilland Hornet RC model airplane shown in The Boys With Big ‘Unsmodel airplane video for 2006. His Hornet model weighs in at 70 lbs/32kg with a wingspan of 11’3/3.43m.
Wooden construction techniques had been pioneered by de Havilland’s classic Mosquito but it was the de Havilland D.H.103 Hornet piston engine fighter that really exploited the advantages that this technique offered. The Hornet entered service towards the end of World War II. Fighter Command day fighter units in the UK were later equipped with type which was also used with success as a strike fighter in Malaya.
The Hornet was a long-range fighter designed as a private venture for use in the Pacific Theater in the war against Japan. From an early stage it was also envisaged that the Hornet could be adapted for naval use, operating from carriers. As a result priority was given to ease of control, especially at low speeds, and to good pilot visibility.
Construction was of mixed balsa/ply similar to the earlier de Havilland Mosquito, but the Hornet differed in incorporating stressed Alclad lower-wing skins bonded to the wooden upper wing structure using the then-new adhesive, Redux. The two wing spars were redesigned to withstand a higher safety factor of 10 versus 8.
Apart from the revised structure the Hornet wings were a synthesis of aerodynamic knowledge that had been gathered since the Mosquito’s design process, being much thinner in cross section, with de Havilland designers adopting a laminar flow profile similar to the P-51 Mustang and Hawker Tempest.
Like the Mosquito the rear of the nacelles were part of the flap structure and the control surfaces consisted of hydraulically operated split flaps extending from the wing root to outboard of the engine nacelles; .Outboard, the Alclad-covered ailerons extended close to the clipped wing tips and provided excellent roll control.
The LMA of the UK operates a number of opendays throughout the flying season which are hosted by local model clubs. This gives the opportunity for the LMA extraordinary models to be seen throughout the UK. The Boys With Big ‘Uns DVDs gives an opportunity for these displays and details of the model builds to be enjoyed by RC model airplane enthusiasts worldwide. Ted Allison is the builder of his immaculate de Havilland Hornet model and is a long time member of the LMA.
