dH Hornet target tugs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Fife
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dH Hornet target tugs
Hi,
I understand that a number of de Havilland Hornets had towing assemblies fitted so they could tow target banners or RFD Winged Targets. I have seen photos of at least 3 aircraft with them fitted. Two of them are F.4s (PX293 and PX299) and one a F.3 (PX367). The two F.4s were converted from F.3 by Airwork at Gatwick. I'm wondering if the fitting of the tow assemblies was done at the same time. I have a list of 11 F.3s that were converted by Airwork into F.4s. Would anyone know if all these Hornets were fitted with the tow assembly? PX291, 293, 296, 299, 301, 304, 329, 334, 337, 346 and 362. Also was this tow assembly the same as that fitted to the Mosquito?
Any help appreciated.
I understand that a number of de Havilland Hornets had towing assemblies fitted so they could tow target banners or RFD Winged Targets. I have seen photos of at least 3 aircraft with them fitted. Two of them are F.4s (PX293 and PX299) and one a F.3 (PX367). The two F.4s were converted from F.3 by Airwork at Gatwick. I'm wondering if the fitting of the tow assemblies was done at the same time. I have a list of 11 F.3s that were converted by Airwork into F.4s. Would anyone know if all these Hornets were fitted with the tow assembly? PX291, 293, 296, 299, 301, 304, 329, 334, 337, 346 and 362. Also was this tow assembly the same as that fitted to the Mosquito?
Any help appreciated.
Last edited by Gladiator65; 6th Feb 2023 at 17:02.
Gatwick, Scotland? Do you mean Prestwick, Scotland, or Gatwick, Sussex?
I suggest Prestwick is the more likely, as I am not aware of that type of facility being available at Gatwick.
I suggest Prestwick is the more likely, as I am not aware of that type of facility being available at Gatwick.
From Action Stations 8:
There is no mention of Airwork in the entry for Prestwick in Action Stations 7.
During the period 1946 to 1956 the companies at Gatwick included Horton Airways, Ciros Aviation Ltd and also Airwork Ltd, which used the hangars and technical installations for the repair of naval Sea Hornets and Seafires.
Just as an aside. I hear a rumour that a company in New Zealand have Hornet on, or ready for, rebuild to fly. That would be a sight to see, if true.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,615
Received 291 Likes
on
159 Posts
Rebuilding a Hornet must be a very complicated affair. I remember seeing a very sad looking example parked on the grass at RAF Changi in the late sixties and making a comment about it must have been nice to fly. Surprisingly our Captain (Britannia) had been stationed in Changi on the Hornet squadron several years earlier. He said they were all eventually grounded because the glue was becoming unstuck due to the hot climate.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,615
Received 291 Likes
on
159 Posts
It's Sea Hornet F.20 TT193/C-FGUO operated by Spartan and later Kenting Aviation between 1950 and 1952, involved in an emergency landing and later scrapped. Original parts salvaged include centre section and some metal components, now with Pioneer Aero at Ardmore.
