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de Havilland F.20 Sea Hornet |
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Name: Sea Hornet F.20
Sea Hornet Backgroundde Havilland SEA HORNETWritten by: Greg Goebel Even before the first Hornet prototype flew, de Havilland had been considering a carrier-based version for the FAA. In late 1944, under specification "N5/44", three early-production Hornet F.1s were modified to naval standards, with Heston Aircraft performing the work. The first Sea Hornet prototype flew on 19 April 1945. This machine had high-drag flaps, yoke-style arresting gear, tail-down catapult hookups, stronger landing gear, and naval radio and other kit. The second prototype was similar, but the third prototype added wings that folded upward. The third prototype began carrier trials on the HMS OCEAN on 10 August 1945. A production order for the "Sea Hornet F.20" followed. It was the Fleet Air Arm's first twin-engine, carrier-based fighter. It retained the four 20 millimeter Hispano cannon and underwing stores of its land-based cousin, though the FAA used half-size drop tanks, with a capacity of 455 liters (100 Imperial gallons / 120 US gallons). Dimensions were the same as for the Hornet, and surprisingly the empty weight was almost the same, despite the carrier kit fitted to the aircraft. The only major difference in appearance from the Hornet was that that Sea Hornet had a camera port on each side of the rear fuselage for an optional oblique reconnaissance camera. The Sea Hornet F.20 reached formal Royal Navy service in June 1947 with Number 801 Squadron, and a total of 78 F.20s were built. The type performed its first carrier cruise in 1949, on the HMS IMPLACABLE, and served in operational roles until 1951, when it was replaced by the Hawker Sea Fury. Some F.20s lingered in second-line roles until 1955. 43 similar "PR.22" photo-reconnaissance Sea Hornets were also built, featuring either two F.52 cameras or a single Fairchild K.19B night-photography camera in the rear fuselage. It is unclear if the PR.22s retained armament, though given the "PR" designation it is likely they did not. In late 1945, the Royal Navy came up with an urgent requirement for a carrier-based, two-seat night fighter, under specification "N.21/45". Heston Aircraft modified two Hornet F.3s to meet the specification, adding an ASH radar thimble in the nose, flame dampers on the exhausts, a small bubble-type canopy on the rear fuselage for a navigator / radar operator, and a larger tailplane assembly to compensate for the second canopy. The result was the "Sea Hornet NF.21". It was slightly longer than the F.3 due to the thimble radome and its empty weight increased by about a tonnne. Despite its role as a night fighter, it apparently could carry the same underwing offensive stores as other Hornets and Sea Hornets. 79 NF.21s were produced, for a total of 200 Sea Hornets built to final end of production in 1951, for a grand total of 411 Hornets and Sea Hornets. The NF.21 served as the standard FAA night fighter, operating off the carriers HMS VENGEANCE, INDOMITABLE, and EAGLE. It was also used to fly as a "formation leader" for groups of strike fighters. The NF.21 was replaced in operational service by the Sea Venom in 1954, and lingered for another year in the radar training role. DimensionsWing Span: 45.01 ft. / 13.72 M
Power & PerformancePowerplant(s): 2x Rolls Royce Merlin 130/131 V 12 piston engine
Armament4 x 20mm cannon, 2 x 1000 lb bombs or 8 rockets UsersUK |
