The announcement in Classic Wings Downunder has caused quite a stir it seems there are a lot of people out there who are as excited as us about this. We have already had a lot of questions asked about all manner of details so hopefully my bullet points below will answer most of these.
The project is currently owned by Pioneer Aero.
It is located at our hangar at Ardmore, Auckland New Zealand and at this point is not available for public viewing.
Yes the intention is to return it to flight.
It is a DH 103 Sea Hornet, it is not a Mosquito
There is still a lot of detail to be worked through so we have no firm idea of time frames at this stage.
Yes we are a little crazy.
It is appropriate at this stage to acknowledge and thank the following people.
Corin McCrae , Aerowood.
Mr Reg Field.
David Collins, Project Hornet. U.K.
Hugh Jones U.K.
Photographer unknown.
Amazing news. Just amazing! Congratulations to everyone involved in this very worthy, and I imagine highly challenging, project. I’m very excited to follow along as the restoration progresses!
I’m sure you’re aware of this, but if it helps, the DH museum in the U.K. has some concrete moulds for the Hornet fuselage. I can’t vouch for the condition as they were outside in the car park when I last saw them, but maybe of use?
Good luck with your project, would be great to see one of these back in the air!
Comment
O please , please do this wonderful thing . One of the lovliest aircraft of the era .
Bravo Paul and Team Pioneer
Patrick R Nicholas in Orvieto,Italy.Has his fathers photo albums,a few of Sea Hornets on HMS Victorious .Father was MWR Nicholas.an Air Engineer Officer.He helped bring the Buccaneer into RN service
Ah New Zealand,first a Vildebeast,then a Vincent,with a Baffin to follow,then the biggest surprise of the lot,a Sea Hornet to boot,what rarities will you turn up next,a Shark,from Canadian wreckage,or a Firebrand using the FAA forward cockpit section,whatever happens thank you PIONEER.
I am most happy to see this. One of the most elegant aircraft designs of all and 60 years since one last flew. I will be following along with much anticipation.
Slim 100 series merlin engine.
One of these engines was in private hands located in Iceland, probably recovered from a sea hornet which made an emergency landing there whilst in Fleet Air Arm service.I have seen a photo graph on the internet in the past,this may well be worth investigating.
Thanks Jonathan
just purchased a Sea Hornet F20,serial TT197,in the colours when in Malta 1953,stationed at Hal Far NAS.No not full size,but a diecast model from manufacturers.. OXFORD MODELS.what a coincidence,being just a few digits difference in PIONEERS project.
Just purcased my own Sea Hornet F20,serial TT197,based at HAL FAR,MALTA in 1953,no,not full size,but diecast model,produced by OXFORD DIECAST models,a snip at £34.95.as an aside,serial is just a tad after Pioneers TT193.
TT193 is also available in 1/72nd diecast metal model,produced by
Oxford diecast.
Got it.
I’m pretty sure that even Paul Allen hasn’t got one of these…
I think we may have the worlds only viable project Mark.
Ha, ha, he’ll want it…
The Sea Hornet is such a sharp! looking airframe but might I suggest “not using” the needle radome?
Your wish will be granted.
Not in NZ but in Oz… worth moving for though! Had many thoughts for static rebuilds in my younger years. I was a joiner in the UK, Stuart Howe and I used to fantasise about doing this (god bless the Mossie guru) … would love to be involved, please keep me informed of anything progressing…
Hi Richard the cogs are moving slowly but for the first time in 60 years a pile of Hornet items is getting larger.
I was stationed at RAF Benson in 1953 and remember these magnificent aircraft doing circuits and bumps, I was a lowly AC2 working on Valletas with 30 squadron at the time
Hello Peter. Very interesting. Have you any idea which Hornet unit was based at Benson please?
See my Hornet boards at
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nigelalbright/de-havilland-dh-103-hornet-sea-hornet/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nigelalbright/dh-103-hornet-sea-hornet-graphics-models-paintings/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nigelalbright/dh-103-hornet-sea-hornet-engineering-maintainence-/
Good day!
How on earth did you obtain the technical drawings? I was interested in looking into a composite re-creation, but could not locate sufficient references online. Good luck finding engines!
Surely the most elegant & beautiful twin prop engined fighter ever built. What a joy it will be to see & hear this magnificent long range fighter back where it belongs in the air. Super excited!
As per other comments, how fantastic it would be to see a flying example in existence. Keep up the good work. My Hornet boards are at:
See my Hornet boards at
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nigelalbright/de-havilland-dh-103-hornet-sea-hornet/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nigelalbright/dh-103-hornet-sea-hornet-graphics-models-paintings/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nigelalbright/dh-103-hornet-sea-hornet-engineering-maintainence-/
I found some microfiche drawings that I think might relate to this aircraft while it was in Canada.
Hello Pioneer Aero, a recent Hornet image restored by Peter Arnold (The Spitfire Man) and posted on FB, prompts me to ask if you have an update on your Sea Hornet project please?
Hi Richard we are currently flat out with P40 projects , the Hornet is moving along very slowly but it is going forward.
Hi, In my teenage years I fell in love with this aircraft and had visions of building a 8/10ths scale replica. Looks like I wasn’t the only one with this idea. I even managed to aquire some genuine copies of some of the workshop drawings, which I still have.
Time has flown by too fast but I am seriously pleased that someone is going to resurect one of the prettiest aircraft ever.
I followed your work over the years and would love to be around if you ever have an open day.