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.

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.

From Action Stations 8:

There is no mention of Airwork in the entry for Prestwick in Action Stations 7.

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.

Yeah, meant Gatwick, Sussex. I was also looking at Prestwick for something as well. Put that one down to a senior moment.

Have you been letting things get on your wick ... ?

Yup, they have the vestigial of a Canadian aircraft (Spartan?) think work is on hold currently.

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.

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.