| D.H.103 Hornet Sea Hornet | |
|---|---|
 A de Havilland Hornet F.3 of 64 Squadron | |
| General information | |
| Type | Land and naval-based fighter aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | de Havilland |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 383 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1945 to 1950 |
| Introduction date | 1946 |
| First flight | 28 July 1944 |
| Retired | 1956 |
| Developed from | De Havilland Mosquito |
The de Havilland DH.103 Hornet, developed by de Havilland, was a fighter aircraft driven by two piston engines. It further exploited the wooden construction techniques that had been pioneered by the de Havilland Mosquito. Development of the Hornet had started during the Second World War as a private venture. The aircraft was to conduct long range fighter operations in the Pacific Theatre against the Empire of Japan but the war ended before the Hornet reached operational squadron status.
The Hornet entered service with RAF Fighter Command where it equipped several day fighter units and was commonly stationed in the British mainland. It saw combat in the Far East, being used as a strike fighter as part of the British military action taken during the Malayan Emergency. A naval carrier-capable version, the Sea Hornet, had been envisaged early on and was procured by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.