WOW647 Sea Hornet 424

Description

WOW647. Sea Hornet 424
WOW648. Sea Hornet 481 – Folded Wings

The fastest production piston-engined fighter ever built.  Developed from the de Havilland Mosquito, this twin-piston engine fighter, serving as a long-range fighter, night fighter (NF.21), and photo-reconnaissance aircraft (PR.22). Capable of speeds up to 472–480 mph. It featured counter-rotating propellers to eliminate torque during take-off, which was critical for carrier operations. While it arrived too late for WWII combat, it saw significant action during the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s for ground attack and air support. All variants were retired by 1956. No complete aircraft exist today, though some fragments and a restoration project are located in the UK and New Zealand.  The Sea Hornet demonstrated the remarkable potential of late-war piston-engine design before being surpassed by jet-powered aircraft.  Our releases represent a unique phase in Fleet Air Arm history and represents an aircraft that was elegance and firepower through technical innovation. Test pilot Eric “Winkle” Brown described the Sea Hornet in glowing terms, stating it was the “zenith” of shipboard piston-engine fighter design.

Sea Hornets Royal Navy were delivered to the Royal Navy in 1950. our 2 x 1/30 scale Sea Hornets served with 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS).  In January 1949, 809 Squadron, the only unit to operate the NF 21, went aboard HMS Illustrious and then, in May 1951, to HMS Vengeance. The squadron was briefly seconded to the RAF at Coltishall before a posting to Hal Far Malta where it disbanded in 1954. The NF.21 later equipped the Fleet Requirements Units at Hal Far, Malta, and St. Davids, West Wales. During it’s operation service, the Sea Hornet was capable of intercepting any aircraft in trials.

WOW647. Sea Hornet 424 – 809 Naval Air Squadron.
WOW648. Sea Hornet 481 – Folded Wings- 809 Naval Air Squadron.

Both 1/30 scale model are priced at $899 plus postage. Club members can buy either model for $799 until the end of the week, the normal price will then revert. Insert your club discount code to get an additional 10% off at checkout.