The Hornet was one of the final generation of piston engine fighters developed during World War II. It was fast, nimble and long ranged and designed for operations in the Pacific but the war ended before it saw action.

DeHavilland began design of the Hornet in 1942, it was ordered into production in June 1943 and the prototype first flew on 28 July 1944.

It used design experience gained from the Mosquito and Rolls Royce engines with reduced frontal area to produce a highly streamlined shape that made the Hornet one of the fastest piston engine fighter ever built.

The Hornet entered service in 1946 but the F.1 version remained in service until only 1950 when it was replaced by the later F.3 version.

This model represents PX252 that was flown by 65 Squadron, RAF, in 1948

Special Hobby 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in October 2003.