de Havilland Hornet Mk.I

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,603]

Aircraft: de Havilland Hornet Mk.I

 

Description: Twin-engine fighter

 

Visuals: 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description: Essentially the first production version of the highly promising DH103 project, the Hornet Mk.1 followed in the Mosquito’s footsteps of providing the RAF with a high-performance twin-engine fighter that could hold its own with the best single-engine fighters of the day.

 

The Hornet Mk.1 incorporated revolutionary construction methods for its time, with a Redux bonding process that cemented metal to wood when making the composite sprs for the wings and airframe. The wings themselves consisted of a one-piece cantilever structure comprising two spars made from compressed plywood webs, extruded light alloy bottom booms, and spruce top booms. It also had Alclad skin stretched over stressed plywood that was reinforced by extruded Duralumin stringers.

 

In addition to its advanced construction, the Hornet focused on a high-handling threshold to complement its high performance. This was achieved by statically balanced control surfaces, contra-rotating propellers, and ‘handed’ engines that spun in opposite directions to eliminate torque on landing and takeoff.

 

Prototype Hornet Mk.1s were sent to A&AEE at Boscombe Down for official armament and handling trials in late ‘44 until May 1945. While the aircraft’s performance in regards to speed, climb, and maneuverability was considered fantastic, pilots noted that the aircraft had poor longitudinal stability and extreme difficulty recovering from spins. To improve these follies, a larger dorsal fin that extended 8 ft forward of the stabilizer replaced the original fin. Satisfied with the solution, A&AEE soon recommended that such a fin be fitted to all Hornets henceforth; as such, all subsequent Hornet variants from the Mk.3 onwards would be fitted with the new stabilizer and fin extension.

 

A total of 60 Hornet Mk.1s were built, with the last example being completed in March 1946. Although this was a full production variant that saw deployment to squadrons, it was replaced quickly by the longer-range Hornet F.3 which boasted improved controls and greater capability.

 

Fuel and Oil Data:

Internal Fuel Capacity: 372 gallons (324 gallons per wing tanks, 48 gallons center tank)

Oil Capacity: 25 gallons (2x 12.5 gallon tanks)

 

Engine Data:

Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce

Designation: Merlin 130/131 

Engine Count: 2

Number of Cylinders: 12

Configuration: Liquid cooled 

Supercharger: two-stage, two-speed supercharger

 

Power Data:

Combat Power: 3000 RPM @ 20 lbs boost w/ 100 octane fuel OR 25 lbs boost w/ 150 octane fuel*

Takeoff Power: 3000 RPM @ 20 lbs boost w/ 100 octane fuel

Maximum Climb Power: 2850 RPM @ 12 lbs boost 

Maximum Continuous Power: 2650 (L) / 2850 (H) RPM @ 9 lbs boost 

*Note: 2070 HP achieved under +25 lbs boost + 150 octane fuel in low supercharger gear @ SL.

 

Additional Engine Data:

Spoiler

 

Propellor Data: 

Manufacturer: de Havilland 

Type: Hydromatic 4/4000/5

Blade Count: 4

Blade Diameter: 12 ft

 

Dimensional Data: 

Length: 34.5 ft

Height: 16 ft, 2 in

Wing Span: 45 ft

Wing Area: 361 sq. ft

Wing Loading (calculated with provided all-up weight): 44.71 lbs/sq. Ft

 

Weight Data:

Tare Weight: 11,292 lbs

All-up Weight*: 16141 lbs

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 18,200 lbs

Maximum Landing Weight: 16620 lbs

*Note: All-Up Weight figures can vary depending on mission profile and document.

 

General Performance Data:

Max Speed (clean condition): 475 mph (764.4 kph) @ 21000 ft (6400 m)*

Stall Speed (all-up weight): ? mph (? kph)

Takeoff Distance (over 50 ft @ 15820 lbs): 500 yards 

Landing Distance (over 50 ft @ 12537 lbs): 900 yards

Service Ceiling: 42500 ft

*Note: Prototypes achieved up to 491 mph, though this was presumably on +25 lbs boost for which data could not be found.

 

Maximum Speeds (All-Up Weight of 16145 lbs w/ +20 lbs boost):

Note: Speed figures are approximate due to limited precision of performance charts. 

At SL: 388 mph (624.4 kph)

At 5000 ft: 418 mph (672.7 kph)

At 10000 ft: 420 mph (675.9 kph)

At 15000 ft: 433 mph (696.9 kph)

At 20000 ft: 451 mph (725.8 kph)

At 25000 ft: 441 mph (709.7 kph)

At 30000 ft: 423 mph (680.8 kph)

 

Initial Rate of Climb (All-Up Weight of 15600 lbs w/ +20 lbs boost):

Note: Climb figures are approximate due to limited precision of performance charts. 

At SL: 5450 ft/min (27.7 m/s) 

At 5000 ft: 5430 ft/min (27.6 m/s)

At 10000 ft: 4710 ft/min (23.9 m/s)

At 15000 ft: 4700 ft/min (23.9 m/s)

At 20000 ft: 4400 ft/min (22.35 m/s)

At 25000 ft: 3400 ft/min (17.3 m/s)

At 30000 ft: 2400 ft/min (12.2 m/s)

At 35000 ft: 1400 ft/min (7.1 m/s)

At 40000 ft: 450 ft/min (2.3 m/s)

 

Time to 20000 ft (weight of 15820 lbs):

Combat Power: 4.0 min

Military Power: 5.0 min

 

Armament: 

Guns: 4x Hispano Mk.V 20mm cannon (760 rounds, 190 RPG)

Bombs/Rockets: 2x 1000lb bombs under wings, 1 each

 

Sources:

[1] Warpaint Series No.19: de Havilland Hornet and Sea Hornet by Tony Butler, Hall Park Books Limited, ISSN: 1363-0369

[2] De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 by AJ Jackson (1962 & 1978), revised by R.T. Jackson (1987), Naval Institute Press

[3] Profile Publications: The De Havilland Hornet, Number 174 by P.J. Birtles 

[4] Maximum Climb Performance, Appendix G, AEDS, July 22 1946, courtesy WWIIaircraftperformance.org

[5] Level Speed Check Runs, Appendix E, AEDS Approximate, AEDS July 13 1946, courtesy WWIIaircraftperformance.org

[6] Hornet Aircraft Data Card, courtesy WWIIaircraftperformance.org

[7] Hornet F1 Weight Table, courtesy WWIIaircraftperformance.org

[8] Hornet Mk1 Part III: Operating Data, A.P. 2864-PPN, courtesy WWIIaircraftperformance.org

[9] The D.H. Hornet, Flight Magazine, January 24th 1946, Pages 85-90

 

[ItssLuBu 1,801]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,854]

+1, another version of the hornet would be nice. 

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[Metrallaroja 1,326]

Seems like this variant will be added as a premium vehicle in the next update, I wonder if it will get 150 octane fuel for making the buy worth it.

 

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,603]

3 hours ago, Metrallaroja said:

Seems like this variant will be added as a premium vehicle in the next update, I wonder if it will get 150 octane fuel for making the buy worth it.

 

 

I was hoping so, but this didn't seem to be the case on the dev server.

[FAA825_Kent 81]

OK so whats the difference between Mk I and Mk III? Only fuel?

 

If so Gaijin is so pathetic by adding as premium the same plane as it is, just could add Seafire Mk. III that are in the file and the effect will be 10x better.

Edited December 15, 2020 by FAA825_Kent

[PremiumFuelOnly 1,603]

2 hours ago, FAA825_Kent said:

OK so whats the difference between Mk I and Mk III? Only fuel?

 

If so Gaijin is so pathetic by adding as premium the same plane as it is, just could add Seafire Mk. III that are in the file and the effect will be 10x better.

 

Practically speaking, the F.1's lighter and that's about it.

 

Visually, it has a different vertical stabilizer setup without the gradual leading edge of the F.3 and Sea Hornets.

[FAA825_Kent 81]

Sorry for me that doesn't make much sense for me. We are waiting for NF.21 or Mosquito TR.33. For me shame.

[leroyonly 4,311]

As the Hornet Mk. 1 has been added as per update 2.3 Hot Tracks,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.