Hornet Mk.III

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Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
This page is about the British twin-engine fighter Hornet Mk.III. For the premium version, see Hornet Mk.I.
Hornet Mk.III
hornet_mk3.png
GarageImage Hornet Mk.III.jpg
Hornet Mk.III
Research:46 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:155 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The Hornet Mk.III is a rank IV British twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB), 6.0 (RB), and 5.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.71 "New E.R.A.".

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 5 791 m756 km/h
Turn time25 s
Max altitude11 500 m
EngineRolls-Royce Merlin 131
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight9 t

For pilots who loved the Mosquito, the Hornet is a dream come true.

As a descendant of the Mosquito FB Mk VI, it maintains many similarities to its older brother, namely an all-wooden construction and the iconic de Havilland tail design. However, the Hornet somehow managed to improve on the already excellent Mosquito platform, increasing speed, manoeuvrability and armament while reducing overall aircraft proportions. From takeoff and into its flight, the Hornet is an overall smooth operator with brutal speed and excellent manoeuvrability, especially for a twin-engined fighter. However, it's still a twin-engined fighter which means it can still be outmanoeuvred by most single-engined opponents which it faces, namely Bf 109s and most Italian fighter aircraft.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,791 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 716 698 11500 26.8 27.5 19.2 19.2 500
Upgraded 805 756 23.9 25.0 34.2 25.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 324 380 380 287 ~8 ~4
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 420 < 390 < 450 > 324

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear324 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
  • 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
  • Two 3 mm Steel boxes behind the pilot in the fuselage
  • Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
  • Lots of fuel tanks in the wings

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 921 → 2 641 Sl icon.png
RB4 637 → 6 375 Sl icon.png
SB6 690 → 9 198 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications40 200 Rp icon.png
77 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 400 Ge icon.png
Crew training45 000 Sl icon.png
Experts155 000 Sl icon.png
Aces820 Ge icon.png
Research Aces440 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 200 / 410 % Sl icon.png
160 / 160 / 160 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods oil.png
150 octane fuel
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
HMBC mk.2
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_mk5_new_gun
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
GRC mk.8
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
HLBC mk.2
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
HRC mk.9
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
HRC mk.8
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png

Your intended role of the Hornet decides which upgrades you go for first. When going for a ground attacker, focus the payload modules and cannon upgrades, with survivability modules coming next due to needing to lower the extra weight the payloads add.

When going for any other role, the belts and cannons should come first, followed by the performance upgrades, ultimately leading to Engine Injection, the Holy Grail of performance upgrades.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)

The Hornet Mk.III is armed with:

  • 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, chin-mounted (190 rpg = 760 total)

Suspended armament

The Hornet Mk.III can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 8 x AP Mk I rockets
  • 8 x AP Mk II rockets
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets
  • 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 4 x AP Mk I rockets (1,000 lb total)
  • 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 4 x AP Mk II rockets (1,000 lb total)
  • 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs + 4 x RP-3 rockets (1,000 lb total)
  • 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 4 x AP Mk I rockets (2,000 lb total)
  • 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 4 x AP Mk II rockets (2,000 lb total)
  • 2 x M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 4 x RP-3 rockets (2,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

Being a descendant of the legendary Mosquito, one should expect a similar playstyle with the Hornet. However, due to the vastly improved performance, the aircraft can perform amicably in most situations it is thrown in.

Fighter: The Hornet does very well in a dogfighting situation for a heavy fighter. It can use its powerful quad Hispano Mk.V's to shred any fighter which falls within its gun sights. However, one should take note that most single-engined fighters will turn circles around the Hornet, so turn-fighting should be avoided where possible. Naturally, there are some exceptions to this rule such as the P-47N-15, which you cannot match the Hornet's turn time.

High speed and great climb rate coupled with its amazing armament make the Hornet an extremely potent user of the Boom & Zoom fighting doctrine. Always attempt to maintain an energy and altitude advantage versus the enemy aircraft and avoid tunnel vision which means, be aware of the aircraft around you. Tunnel vision prevents you from seeing an enemy aircraft get the drop on you until its too late and either tracer fire is whizzing past or the Hornet's engine is on fire.

Ground Attacker: When aced, the Hornet can load 4 AP or RP-3 rockets and two 1,000 lb bombs. This, combined with the performance of the Hornet and power of the Hispano's allow it to be an amazing ground attacker that can shred any ground target in sight. The AP rockets are your best bet when it comes to ground attack, as they are more accurate than the RP-3's, fly faster and due to the higher speed, impact harder and penetrate more armour. However, when destroying light targets, the RP-3's are better due to the increased explosive yield.

Bomber Hunter: Due to its amazing performance, powerful armament and air defence fighter spawn point, the Hornet can make for a powerful interceptor when played carefully. Climb to bomber altitudes (4,000 metres and up) and begin prowling for a target. When attacking bombers, the worst angle of attack is from the rear, typically most bombers have their heaviest armament here, not to mention bullet impact is harder (especially from .50 calibre machine guns and 20 mm cannons) as the aircraft is flying towards a speeding bullet, increasing the damage it will do and the likelihood of being hit. Notable examples you can encounter at this rank are the B-29A-BN, B-17G-60-VE, PB4Y-2, He 177 A-5, G8N1 and the premium Be-6. Remember, the body of the aircraft can soak up a lot of damage, instead dive from above or climb from below and aim for the wings, without engines or a wing, the bomber will fall like a rock. Attacking from oblique angles makes it difficult for the bomber gunners to acquire a target solution and causes them to traverse and fire which spreads out their bullet patterns making it more difficult to hit a speeding target.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Auto control available
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Auto control available
Combined Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent armament, the Hispano Mk. V has a high rate of fire and causes a lot of fragmentation damage
  • Extremely quick, can compete with some of the best single-engined fighters
  • Has excellent payload options, several varieties of rockets and up to 2,000 lb in bombs
  • Good amount of ammo for the cannons
  • Quite manoeuvrable for a twin-engined fighter, as to be expected of the descendant of the Mosquito
  • Fantastic climb rate, especially when spaded
  • Thin body for a twin-engined fighter
  • Experience with the Mosquito transitions between the planes
  • Lenient stock grind

Cons:

  • Not great at killing heavy bombers like the He 177, susceptible to engine damage or a knocked out pilot
  • Matchmaking will pit you against some serious foes
  • Despite the durable construction, the Hornet is made out of wood, meaning you cannot take much damage and remain in the fight
  • Fires deal serious damage to a wooden plane
  • Wings are littered with fuel tanks
  • Despite the thin body, it is still a large target
  • Carrying the max payload has a significant effect on flight performance

History

The de Havilland Hornet first started out as a private venture by the de Havilland company. Having built the extremely successful Mosquito multi-role fighter, the company wants to improve on the design to make a faster and longer ranged heavy fighter. The project was soon developed to meet the Air Ministry specification F.12/43, which called for a fast, long-range fighter that operated in the Far East, in fact, the design was drawn around the Hornet. The first prototype was a more streamlined, smaller Mosquito with more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. The wings were designed for adaptation for naval uses and could fold. Pilot comfort and stability had a very high priority. According to accounts by test pilots, the Hornet is easily capable of taking on single engine fighters. It entered Squadron service in mid-1946. However, it was rarely used as World War Two was drawing to a close. Instead, the plane saw combat operations during the Malayan Emergency and continued to serve the RAF until 1956.

Media

See also

External links


De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited
Fighters  Hornet Mk.I · Hornet Mk.III · Mosquito FB Mk VI · Mosquito FB Mk XVIII
Jet fighters  Vampire F.B.5 · Venom FB.4 · Sea Venom FAW 20 · Sea Vixen F.A.W. Mk.2
Export  Mosquito FB.Mk.26 ·Vampire FB 52A(Italy) · ▄Vampire FB 52A(Finland) · A28B

Britain strike aircraft
Blackburn  Firebrand TF Mk IV · Firecrest
Bristol  Beaufighter Mk I (40-mm) · Beaufighter Mk VIc · Beaufighter Mk X · Beaufighter Mk 21
CAC  ▄Wirraway
Fairey  Firefly F Mk I · Firefly FR Mk V
de Havilland  Mosquito FB Mk VI · Mosquito FB Mk XVIII
Hawker  Hurricane Mk IV · Tempest Mk V (Vickers P)
Westland  Wyvern S4