Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Claymore on April 27, 2025, 11:57:22 PM
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Well, this is an odd place... Aircraft - who would have thought! :o
Seriously though, I am not lost but rather decided to have a wee visit to the dark side to fulfil a 15-year-old musing about one of the sleekest aircraft evert built (IMHO). This project also allows me to relive my childhood and delve into the world of Frog Models - somewhere I haven't been in over 50 years!
What I will be building is one of these and, more specifically, this particular aircraft 'DH 103 Hornet F3 (PX393).'
(https://i.imgur.com/twMW7hf.jpg)
So, before I get into the full story (A Hornet's Tale - see what I did there!) a little bit about the DH Hornet F3...
The de Havilland DH 103 Hornet, developed by de Havilland, was a fighter aircraft driven by two piston engines. It further exploited the wooden construction techniques that had been pioneered by the de Havilland Mosquito. Development of the Hornet had started during the Second World War as a private venture, before a bespoke air specification was written up to bring it into government service. The aircraft was to conduct long-range fighter operations in the Pacific Theatre against the Empire of Japan, but the war ended before the Hornet reached operational squadron status.
The Hornet F1 entered service with RAF Fighter Command in 1946 where it equipped several day fighter units (19 Sqn, 41 Sqn, 64 Sqn, 65 Sqn and 266 OCU) and was commonly stationed in the British mainland and the F1 variant was, relatively quickly, superseded by the improved F3 from 1948 onwards. With the transition of most UK-based fighter squadrons to early jet aircraft in 1951, many new and older Hornet F3 were transferred to the Far East to equip 33 Sqn, 45 Sqn, 80 Sqn and the Far East Training Sqn. This is where the Hornet saw its only combat action, being used as a strike fighter as part of the British military operations taken during the Malayan Emergency.
A naval carrier-capable version, the Sea Hornet, had been envisaged early on and was precured by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy but the heavy fighter proved too unwieldy on the light fleet carriers then in use and so most ended up operating from fixed shore establishments. [1]
My subject aircraft (PX393) was operated by 64 Sqn (code letters SH) at RAF Linton-on-Ouse after some unspecified service with Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Boscombe Down. [2]
Watch this space...
Notes:
1. Wikipedia.
2. www.gruppofalchi.com (http://www.gruppofalchi.com)
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Welcome to the Dark Side! ;D
Agreed on "one of the sleekest aircraft ever built" and looking forward to seeing where you go with this :smiley:
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Gaaah, Claymore in the Aircraft area... move away quickly, you still have time ;D
I have fond memories of the Frog Hornet during my early building days, so eagerly awaiting you take on this great bit of nostalgia.
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Good luck! :smiley:
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Just remember that it's much harder to hide any mistakes (not that you actually make any) under weathering when building aircraft. ;)
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Mwah ha ha… I have a razor saw and I’m not afraid to use it! >:D
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;D
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Mwah ha ha… I have a razor saw and I’m not afraid to use it!
Pssht, Shandy Drinker . . . come back when you've got a Dremel . . . ;D ;D
cheers,
Robin.
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Pssht, Shandy Drinker . . . come back when you've got a Dremel . . . ;D ;D
cheers,
Robin.
;D ;D ;D
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Well, so far the simplicity of this kit is refreshing beyond belief. The fit is OK-ish but the detail is somewhat lacking - having said that, this is going to be quite a long story, so… So far, so good!
(https://i.imgur.com/MUsYUBg.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rZyuLqB.jpeg)
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Ah yes.. the days of minimal parts, raised panel lines and two hours giving you a complete model ;D
I have a hunch that this build might be raise control column, rebuild entire aircraft kit, lower control column, after replacing Control Column.
Along for the ride :smiley:
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Are those opposite handed props? I’m going to a show in June and if I see one I might pick it up. Then I could mold another set of props and combine them for contra props. I haven’t had a good dig in the stash and spare parts box to see what possibilities there could be.
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Ah yes.. the days of minimal parts, raised panel lines and two hours giving you a complete model ;D
I have a hunch that this build might be raise control column, rebuild entire aircraft kit, lower control column, after replacing Control Column.
Along for the ride :smiley:
Given Claymore's response to my earlier comment (below), I'm not sure this isn't going to turn into an ICV*! :-\
Just remember that it's much harder to hide any mistakes (not that you actually make any) under weathering when building aircraft. ;)
Mwah ha ha… I have a razor saw and I’m not afraid to use it! >:D
[*: Individual Combat Vehicle ;) ]
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Are those opposite handed props? I’m going to a show in June and if I see one I might pick it up. Then I could mold another set of props and combine them for contra props. I haven’t had a good dig in the stash and spare parts box to see what possibilities there could be.
Yes, they are, the blades travel towards the cockpit at the top. If you can't get a FROG one, these are now available . . .
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/azmodel-az7651-havilland-dh-103-hornet-f-mki-f1--1285311 (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/azmodel-az7651-havilland-dh-103-hornet-f-mki-f1--1285311)
cheers,
Robin.
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Ah yes.. the days of minimal parts, raised panel lines and two hours giving you a complete model ;D
I have a hunch that this build might be raise control column, rebuild entire aircraft kit, lower control column, after replacing Control Column.
Along for the ride :smiley:
Now, there’s an idea! ;D
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Are those opposite handed props? I’m going to a show in June and if I see one I might pick it up. Then I could mold another set of props and combine them for contra props. I haven’t had a good dig in the stash and spare parts box to see what possibilities there could be.
Yup, as robunos says, they are indeed ‘handed’ or counter-rotating in order to eliminate torque induced yawning and thus improve handling. The engines were the same but one had an additional final gear to reverse the prop turning direction.
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Given Claymore's response to my earlier comment (below), I'm not sure this isn't going to turn into an ICV*! :-\
[*: Individual Combat Vehicle ;) ]
So many good ideas! ;D
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If you can't get a FROG one, these are now available . . .
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/azmodel-az7651-havilland-dh-103-hornet-f-mki-f1--1285311 (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/azmodel-az7651-havilland-dh-103-hornet-f-mki-f1--1285311)
cheers,
Robin.
Indeed it is!
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As you have probably gathered by now, I rarely take the easy option when I settle on a new build project - indeed, the more complex it is, the more fun I have. And so it is here.
My concept Hornet variant uses an azmodels kit (a much nicer rendition of then F3) and is already at least 90% built - but then I got to thinking that it might be cool to show the comparison with the original aircraft. My brain then went into overload and I realised that if I was going to do that, I really ought to show the developmental stages in between too! Well, this had me up to 4 x potential aircraft builds. I will be using the azmodels kits for the two most heavily modified builds and, the much less expensive, Frog kits for the early, more or less, out of the box builds.
So, there you go - four for the price of one (well four for the price of four actually!) ;)
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Well, I'll be watching on BtS's free-to-air service, so it'll cost me nothing, not even a grey hair*! :smiley:
[*: Although that would actually darken the Wombat locks, pretty much white these days. :-\ ;D ]
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As stated before, the Frog kit is a little on the basic side and what detail there is, such as the weapons load out and the cannon fairings, is a bit pants. So, the first (and only) bit of chop and swap for this rendition of Hornet PX393 sees the Frog weapons and the chin cannon fairing replaced with those from the AZmodels kit.
WIP pics before and after the wee lady's undercoat...
(https://i.imgur.com/bn06MsQ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Rcd6rUM.jpeg)
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Maybe larger cannon ?
(https://hushkit.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/henschel-hs-129-1.jpg)
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And... almost done.. see a couple of hours and you have a model :smiley:
So we get a four for.. build. Excellent :D
Pretty sure I can rummage around in one of my boxes of stored aircraft and in the Fleet Air Arm box/s I should find a Frog Hornet that is now a Sea Hornet. Well most of it anyway, these boxes have moved 4 times recently so being in one piece would be a minor miracle.
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Maybe larger cannon ?
Not quite… ;)
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Pretty sure I can rummage around in one of my boxes of stored aircraft and in the Fleet Air Arm box/s I should find a Frog Hornet that is now a Sea Hornet. Well most of it anyway, these boxes have moved 4 times recently so being in one piece would be a minor miracle.
Apart from the obligatory stash and the usual spares boxes of odds and sods, I also have two large, crypt-like tubs of old AFV models spanning across the decades. These relics are slowly but surely decomposing back to the crude oil from which they came and I often wonder if it really is still worth while holding on to them. I guess the day will come when they will get the boot but not quite yet…. ;)
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Modellers rule no 6 :- "hold on to everything, you never know where the next whif/kitbash is going to come from "
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Mog
>^-.-^<
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Modellers rule no 6 :- "hold on to everything, you never know where the next whif/kitbash is going to come from "
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Mog
>^-.-^<
Indeed, but it’s a constant battle with Mrs Claymore! ;) ;D ;D
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A Hornet’s Tale – Part 1 (Fact)
Aircraft PX393 was a de Havilland DH.103 Hornet F3 and was the 80th aircraft built out of a primary batch of 85 Hornet F3’s constructed between 1946 and 1948. After initial flight acceptance, PX393 was delivered to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Boscombe Down in Wiltshire where it was, rather ignominiously, held as a spare for possible future trials work.
However, in need of a replacement aircraft, PX393 was to join 64 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire in mid-1950. There she stayed, in squadron service, until 64 Squadron converted to the Gloster Meteor F4/F8 and was moved to RAF Duxford in March of 1951. At much the same time all of the other UK-based Hornet F3 units (19 Squadron, 41 Squadron, 65 Squadron and 288 Operational Conversion Unit) also converted to the new generation of jet fighters.
This was not to be the end of the Hornet as in the summer of that year considerable numbers of F3s (including 47 new-builds) were redeployed from Fighter Command to the Far East Air Force (FEAF). The Far East Training (FET) Squadron along with 45 Squadron, 33 Squadron and 80 Squadron were equipped with the Hornet F3 and participated in combat operations during the Malayan Emergency.
Aircraft PX393 did not deploy to the far east and was, once again, placed in hangered storage pending possible reactivation as a battle damage replacement.
Specifications (Hornet F3)
General Characteristics
Crew: 1
Length 36ft 8in (11.17m)
Wingspan: 45ft 0in (13.716m)
Powerplant: 2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 130/131 (left-hand and right-hand rotation) V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines, 2,070 hp (1,540 kW) each
Performance
Maximum Speed: 475mph (764km/h) at 21,000ft (6,400m)
Combat Range: 1,480mi (2,380km)
Ferry Range: 3,000mi (4,800km) with additional 200 Imp gal (909L) drop tanks on outer wig hard points
Armament
4 x 20mm Hispano Mk V cannon (with 190rpg) in lower fuselage nose
2 x 1,000lb (454kg) bombs under wing, outboard of engines
8 x 60lb (27kg) RP-3 unguided rockets
Normal Loadout: 2 x RP-3 rockets and 1 x 1000lb/500lb bomb under each wing
The model is a Frog DH Hornet F3 and is of PX393 in 64 Squadron markings as she would have appeared on 8 November 1950 during a live-firing sortie to the bombing ranges at RAF Wainfleet.
Stay tuned for Part 2…
[References: Wikipedia and gruppofalchi.com]
(https://i.imgur.com/yLXOrNq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SWPc47U.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Wd578Ld.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NYBCe6Z.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qo4YYsJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zuGIEKN.jpg)
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Spiffing good scheme 8)
Like the work on a simple kit, great job
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Beautiful job! Nice work on the silver.
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Looks fantastic! Quite the SHOW
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Isn’t it. Isn’t it though! ;D
https://youtu.be/mGp4DvFEgh8
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For an AFV bloke, you do pretty good Fly Boy stuff.
Nice job, mate! :smiley: 8)
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For an AFV bloke, you do pretty good Fly Boy stuff.
Nice job, mate! :smiley: 8)
Many thanks. I guess that as an ex-RAF type, albeit on the soldiering side, I do have to try now and again! ;)
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A Hornet’s Tale – Part 2 (Fact)
In 1951, Sea Hornet F.20 TT193 was dispatched to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to conduct winter trials. Following these tests, TT193 was sold rather than be transported back to the UK. Registered as CF-GUO, the aircraft was operated by Spartan Air Services Ltd (an aerial survey company) before being sold on to Kenting Aviation in a swap for 2 x Lockheed F-5Gs. On 11 July 1952, an engine failure caused a forced landing at Terrace, British Columbia and CF-GUO was written off.
On 21 May 1955, the last operational Hornet sortie was flown by 33 Squadron from RAF Butterworth, North Malaya and by mid-1956 all Hornets had been recorded as having been withdrawn from operational service. None of the F3/F4 sent to the Far East Air Force (FEAF) was returned to the Uk with the last aircraft being disposed of, in theatre, by the end of 1956.
A Hornet’s Tale – Part 2 (Fiction)
During a re-evaluation of its aerial survey operations in early 1953, Spartan Air Services Ltd realised a need for a fast courier aircraft. Whilst its fleet of DH Mosquitos and Lockheed F-5Gs were excellent photographic survey platforms, the limitations of wet-film processing necessitated the rapid and secure movement of said film from potentially remote operating fields back to established processing facilities. Their experience with CF-GUO suggested that the DH Hornet would be an excellent candidate should more be made available. Having already purchased one aircraft from the UK MoD, Spartan Air Services’ initial approach was not dismissed out of hand and although progress was slow, by mid-1954 the writing was on the wall for the Hornet in RAF service and it was obvious that a number of airframes could safely be made available for sale.
Ten aircraft from UK storage were selected: six that had never been allocated to squadrons (PX291, PX299, PX309, PX329, PX 334 and PX368); and four that has seen squadron service but which had the lowest flight hours (PX387, PX391, PX393 and PX395). Our aircraft of interest, PX393, was duly registered with the Canadian authorities as CF-HVA and after some time being brought back to full flying capability with de Havilland Canada, joined Spartan Air Services proper in early 1956.
Specifications (DH 103 Hornet)
General Characteristics
Crew: 1
Length 36ft 8in (11.17m)
Wingspan: 45ft 0in (13.716m)
Powerplant: 2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 130/131 (left-hand and right-hand rotation) V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines, 2,070 hp (1,540 kW) each
Performance
Maximum Speed: 475mph (764km/h) at 21,000ft (6,400m)
Range: 3,000mi (4,800km) with additional 200 Imp gal (909L) drop tanks on outer wing hard points
The model is a Frog DH Hornet F3 and is of CF-HVA (PX393) in Spartan Air Services Ltd livery as she would have appeared during the late 50s and 1960s.
Stay tuned for Part 3…
[References: Wikipedia and gruppofalchi.com]
(https://i.imgur.com/TTzNDjE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kqR7PN9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CC1Cafq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tvngOXU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mQtjDkP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hb7lqqW.jpg)
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And another, just as good as the first! :smiley: :smiley:
Now to see what the third looks like! ;)
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And another, just as good as the first! :smiley: :smiley:
Now to see what the third looks like! ;)
Thanks again mate. Now tis time to move onto the AZmodel Hornets and a bit more in the way of chop and swap! ;)
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:smiley: :smiley:
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Isn’t it. Isn’t it though! ;D
https://youtu.be/mGp4DvFEgh8
Isin't it, Isn't it. All blinged up an' shit
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Isn’t it. Isn’t it though! ;D
https://youtu.be/mGp4DvFEgh8
Isin't it, Isn't it. All blinged up an' shit
:smiley: ;D :smiley:
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Wow! Gorgeous build on your Part 2 Hornet :smiley: :smiley:
On "(Fact)", the story of CF-GUO and its eventual parts recovery and restoration of can be read here:
-- https://vintageaviationnews.com/restorations/de-havilland-sea-hornet-airworthy-restoration-project.html
On "(Fiction)", The RW reg sequence CF-HVA to CF-HVY was issued by the DOT at the beginning of 1955. But the specific registration CF-HVA was held in reserved but never applied to its initially intended type. Finally, in March 1958, 'HVA would be allocated to a Taylorcraft BC12D (c/n 8971; ex-N96671). [1]
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[1] Air Britain's CF list for 1975 shows 8971 as "SALE REPORTED/VENTE SIGNALEE" on 04 April 1954 but does not list the original owner. In 1962, 'HVA was sold to Frederick W Raaflaub, North Bay, ON, and that reg wouldn't be cancelled until April of 1998.
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Wow! Gorgeous build on your Part 2 Hornet :smiley: :smiley:
On "(Fact)", the story of CF-GUO and its eventual parts recovery and restoration of can be read here:
-- https://vintageaviationnews.com/restorations/de-havilland-sea-hornet-airworthy-restoration-project.html
On "(Fiction)", The RW reg sequence CF-HVA to CF-HVY was issued by the DOT at the beginning of 1955. But the specific registration CF-HVA was held in reserved but never applied to its initially intended type. Finally, in March 1958, 'HVA would be allocated to a Taylorcraft BC12D (c/n 8971; ex-N96671). [1]
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[1] Air Britain's CF list for 1975 shows 8971 as "SALE REPORTED/VENTE SIGNALEE" on 04 April 1954 but does not list the original owner. In 1962, 'HVA was sold to Frederick W Raaflaub, North Bay, ON, and that reg wouldn't be cancelled until April of 1998.
Thanks mate! Yes, after a long and not at all fruitful search through the 1955 register to find an unallocated number, I settled on CF-HVA as the closest thing to being a viable possibility. Had it not been there, I would have had to do a bit of handwavium but would still have settled for a CF-HV-something code to get the right date.
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The next iteration of my Hornet almost gave me kittens! The initial work went just as planned and then it came to the paint scheme... Well, I didn't like the fist result (light grey wings and dark grey fuselage) and thought the best thing to do would be to go back to cover everything up with a new coat of primer - OMG!!! Seems that one of the modelling gods didn't like that idea as the primer did its best to crawl back into the can. I should have taken some pictures, but I was so horrified at what was happening that I slightly lost it. A great wailing and gnashing of teeth was heard across the Highlands!!! :o
Long and the short of it, I think I saved it but it was a damned close call with Mr Bin...
Here are the WIP pics before the painting debacle.
(https://i.imgur.com/w7tMo9a.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wNn0dIJ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sXnvcaZ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EG1Boja.jpeg)
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A Hornet’s Tale – Part 3 (Fact)
At the beginning of 1973, Spartan Air Services’ assorted fleet of survey aircraft were taken over by its fellow Canadian competitor, Kenting Aviation. [1]
A Hornet’s Tale – Part 3 (Fiction)
The writing had been on the wall for Spartan Air Services from the turn of the decade; unable to remain competitive in the ever more expensive survey market, a buyout or collapse was inevitable. The one highlight for the ailing company was that their fleet of high-speed, long-range courier Hornets has proved hugely successful well beyond the demands of their initial survey support work. It was, therefore, decided that while the parent survey company would be sold to Kenting Aviation a new transport company, Spartan Logistics, would be formed based around the remaining Hornet aircraft.
However, having already lost three of the original aircraft to various engine faults, it was obvious that the Hornets and their aging, and none to reliable, Merlin engines were in dire need of a facelift. So it was, that with the backing of billionaire statesman, entrepreneur and aircraft enthusiast Henry Newton Rowell ‘Hal’ Jackman, the seven remaining aircraft were given a full work over and rebuild by de Havilland Canada. Essentially leaving the factory as new aircraft, the upgrades included, although were not limited to, the replacement of the troublesome Merlins with far more reliable and efficient Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines and the installation of external fuel tank hard points beneath the inner wings.
Returning to operational service in 1975, the ‘new’ DHC 103D (Dart) Hornets, gave Spartan Logistics a fast, reliable and long-range courier. With Hal Jackman’s influence, it wasn’t long before Spartan Logistics were providing direct support to various Canadian governmental agencies, the banking sector and anyone who needed high value assets moved quickly and securely.
Specifications (DHC 103D (Dart) Hornet)
General Characteristics
Crew: 1
Length 38ft (11.58m)
Wingspan: 45ft 0in (13.716m)
Powerplant: 2 x Rolls-Royce Dart Mk 532-7 two-stage centrifugal compressor turboprop engines, 2,250hp (1,678kW) each
Performance
Maximum Speed: 520mph (832km/h) clean at 21,000ft (6,400m)
Range: 3,600mi (5,760km) with additional 250 Imp gal (1140L) drop tanks on inner wing hard points
The model is a AZmodel DH Hornet F3 and is of CF-HVA (PX393) in Spartan Logistics markings as she would have appeared during the late 70s, 80s and 1990s.
Stay tuned for Part 4…
References:
[1]: Spartan Air Services: Book Project by Robert Stitt
(https://i.imgur.com/uLlRlRK.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sQpgcFI.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uvqjMM2.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IuKxtLx.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mRMUNuj.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HDwbjCz.jpeg)
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OK, I'll forgive you putting bunsen-fans on a piston-engined fighter, but only because it rounds out an excellent series of aircraft builds. ::)
Very nice finale to a fantastic run of builds! :smiley: :smiley: 8) :smiley:
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Finale?
This has just been the build up. There is still a Part 4 to come! :smiley:
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I sit corrected! :-[
(I'll stand corrected shortly, when I head for bed. ;) )
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I sit corrected! :-[
(I'll stand corrected shortly, when I head for bed. ;) )
;D ;D ;D
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Oh that is pretty! So glad that "Mr. Bin" was denied his potential greimeag ;)
Nice to see the continuity of DHC 103D still being registered 'HVA in its renewed life. And I like the detail of the radiator housings simply being enclosed (become a space for reserve fuel tanks, perhaps?).
Anyway, a lovely build ... and I hope that the Highlands have recovered from their shock at all that primer-related wailing and tooth-gnashing!
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So glad that "Mr. Bin" was denied his potential greimeag ;)
Indeed! ;)
Nice to see the continuity of DHC 103D still being registered 'HVA in its renewed life. And I like the detail of the radiator housings simply being enclosed (become a space for reserve fuel tanks, perhaps?).
Yup, I wanted to keep the developmental trail fairly clear and yes, having realised that the wing shoe is actually quite complex, it was easier (and more logical) to keep it unchanged and make the space available for fuel.
Anyway, a lovely build ... and I hope that the Highlands have recovered from their shock at all that primer-related wailing and tooth-gnashing!
Thank you, the hills are more or less quiet now! ;)
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Wait.. what.. has more been done :o
Really like the civil type renditions, so awesome work again.
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Thanks. :smiley:
Hopefully, the final rendition won’t be long coming. This will be the one that actually started the project - the other three really just being the backstory.
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...and these were the early stages of Part 4 (although it was actually partly constructed first). At this stage I had a set of props but they were cobbled together and basically pants...
(https://i.imgur.com/g4WhemA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OLW5Hlg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/y2kgDes.jpg)
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A Hornet’s Tale – Part 4 (Fact)
On 1 April 1993, Canada founded Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2), a special operations unit mandated with the protecting Canadian national interests, combating terrorism threats (both domestic and abroad), and hostage rescue. Elements of JTF 2 deployed to Afghanistan in 2001. In 2006, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command was activated with JTF 2, Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (SOAS) and Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) under command. The Honourable Henry Newton Rowell ‘Hal’ Jackman OC OOnt CD was in office as the 25th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario between December 1991 and January 1997. [1]
A Hornet’s Tale – Part 4 (Fiction)
With the formation of JTF 2 in 1993, it was realised that there would likely be a need for some form of dedicated close support asset capable of delivering decisive firepower with pinpoint accuracy either at a discrete range or in your face and that said asset should have a significant loiter time. Faced with the prospect of a considerable financial outlay, the Canadian Department of National Defence was quick to cease on Hal Jackman’s most generous offer (1 Can$ per airframe) for five of Spartan Logistics Hornets which, if re-militarised, could meet the desired requirements for a Counter-Terrorism (CT) / Counter-Insurgency (COIN) aircraft.
In 1994 and for the second time in its illustrious career PX393/CF-HVA headed back to de Havilland Canada for a complete nose-to-tail workout. Joining 428 (Ghost) Special Operations Squadron of the RCAF, at CFB Trenton in 1998, the effectively brand-new aircraft now sported, amongst many improvements, 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW125B turboprop engines with 6-blade propellers, a lightweight Martin Baker Mk 4 ejector seat, new avionics, a new communications suite and a full set of very sharp teeth. Not only were the aircraft structurally new but, given that the CF-18 Hornet was already in RCAF service, a new name and designation was also needed. In homage to their benefactors, the RCAF’s latest recruits would be re-christened as the CF-103 Spartan.
When JTF 2 deployed to Afghanistan in 2001, the CF-103 Spartans of 428 Squadron went with them to Kandahar Air Field (KAF). There they would provide sterling service with accurate and timely support whenever and wherever it was needed. With the 5 aircraft ensuring that 3 were always available on call our plucky Spartans could and did provide the Canadian SOF operators with 24/7 on-call support.
In a touching segway, our DH 103 F-3 Hornet of interest (PX393) would be re-registered with the RCAF as CF-103 (103393) – the registration number being made up of a 3-digit official designation, followed by a 3-digit aircraft number. In our specific case, the type designation given was 103 (originally intended for the Avro Canada 103 but never used) and the aircraft number being 393 (it being not unusual for foreign or previously registered aircraft to keep their original number). So, it would be that PX393 become CF-HVA and finally 103393.
In 2014, along with the bulk of assigned Canadian ground forces, 428 Squadron returned home from Afghanistan whereupon all remaining CF-103 Spartan aircraft were finally retired from active service. Today, CF-103 Spartan (103393) can be found in pride of position at the National Air Force Museum of Canada, Trenton, Ontario.
Specifications (CF-103 Spartan)
General Characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 38ft 6in (11.75m)
Wingspan: 45ft 0in (13.716m)
Powerplant: 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW125B turboprop engines, 2,500hp (1,864kW) each
Performance
Maximum Speed: 490mph (784km/h) clean at 21,000ft (6,400m)
Combat Range: 1,480mi (2,380km)
Ferry Range: 3,600mi (5,760km) with additional 250 Imp gal (1140L) drop tanks on inner wing hard points
Armament
Guns: 4 x 20mm Oerlikon KAE cannon (with 150rpg) in lower fuselage nose
Hardpoints: Total of 5: 2 on outboard wings, 2 on inboard wings and one on the centreline; holding up to 3500lbs (1590kg) of payload
Air-to-Surface Missiles:
- 4 x Hellfire on double launchers, outboard pylons only
- 6 x Brimstone on triple launchers, outboard pylons only
Bombs:
- 4 x GBU-12 Paveway II Mk 82 500lbs (227kg) bombs, under wings
- 2 x GBU-16 Paveway II Mk 83 1,000lb (454kg) bombs, inboard hardpoints only
Countermeasures: 1 x AN/ALE-47 airborne countermeasures dispenser system mounted under rear fuselage
Normal Loadout: 6 x Brimstone missiles, 2 x GBU-12 (500lbs) bombs and 1 x AN/AAQ-28 Litening II targeting pod on centreline pylon.
The model is a AZmodel DH Hornet F3 and is of DHC CF-103 Spartan (103393) in RCAF markings as she would have appeared at Kandahar Air Field (KAF) in 2010.
[References: Wikipedia]
(https://i.imgur.com/ad4dua5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/slRldiJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WRla4Ud.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CBJ6uix.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JzEYtgn.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Q6mS4fA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/paO9DY9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BMXSutV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Wj0RY0d.jpg)
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...and that's all folks. Thank you for watching! :smiley:
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:smiley:
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Nice! Very Nice! :smile:
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Just marvellous :icon_alabanza:
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Just perfect! Great backstory, build, masking!
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Many thanks for the kind words gents, much appreciated. :smiley:
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Fantastic finale Andrew! And a stupendous backstory and build :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Some readers may be interested in the whole story of the Canadian Forces Interim Counter-Insurgency Capability Aircraft (ICICA) procurement which led to the CF-103 Spartan. The ICICA programme was one of DND's Immediate Operational Requirements (IORs, today called UORs) for the Canadian Forces' return to Afghanistan as part of Operation ATHENA. DND and Public Works received three submissions to rebuild the DHC 103D airframes to purpose.
More here: https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg230684#msg230684
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Nice work and I love the concept!
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Fantastic finale Andrew! And a stupendous backstory and build :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Some readers may be interested in the whole story of the Canadian Forces Interim Counter-Insurgency Capability Aircraft (ICICA) procurement which led to the CF-103 Spartan. The ICICA programme was one of DND's Immediate Operational Requirements (IORs, today called UORs) for the Canadian Forces' return to Afghanistan as part of Operation ATHENA. DND and Public Works received three submissions to rebuild the DHC 103D airframes to purpose.
More here: https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg230684#msg230684
OMG, I’ve just read your full story. Brilliant concept and great art work - thank you so much for a very fitting addendum to A Hornet’s Tale. :icon_alabanza:
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Nice work and I love the concept!
Thanks mate! :smiley:
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For full disclosure of the various builds, I include the following:
A Hornet's Tale - Part 1 (DH 103 Hornet) F3)
Basic Model: Frog
Additional/Replacement Parts: Bombs, rockets and cannon chin fairing from AZmodel DH-103 Hornet F3
Paint: Revell Acrylic Spray Silver 34190, Humbrol Acrylic Signal Yellow 154
Decals: From box with aircraft identifier and reg number home made
A Hornet's Tale - Part 2 (DH 103 Hornet)
Basic Model: Frog
Additional/Replacement Parts: Nil
Paint: Revell Acrylic Spray Silver 34190, Humbrol Acrylic Signal Red 153
Decals: Home made
A Hornet's Tale - Part 3 (DHC 103D (Dart) Hornet)
Basic Model: AZmodel
Additional/Replacement Parts: Fokker F27 engine nacelles, Argosy propellors and spinners, and drop tanks from cults3d.com; engine exhausts home made
Paint: Revell Acrylic Spray White 34301, Humbrol Acrylic Scarlet 60
Decals: Home made
A Hornet's Tale - Part 4 (DHC CF-103 Spartan)
Basic Model: AZmodel
Additional/Replacement Parts: Fokker F50 engine nacelles, ATR-42 propellors and spinners, GBU-12, and AN/AAQ-28 Litening II pod from cults3d.com; Brimstone Missile packs from Eduard; Countermeasures pack from Brengun; engine exhausts home made
Paint: Humbrol Acrylic US Compass Grey 128, Humbrol Acrylic Steel Grey 87
Decals: Leading Edge models and sqn tail badge home made
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OK, I'll forgive you putting bunsen-fans on a piston-engined fighter, but only because it rounds out an excellent series of aircraft builds. ::)
Very nice finale to a fantastic run of builds! :smiley: :smiley: 8) :smiley:
I stand (sit) by the above statement, now in its correct location. ;) :smiley: :smiley: 8)
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Obvs had to share Version 4 on the Canadian WHIF page Andrew!
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Obvs had to share Version 4 on the Canadian WHIF page Andrew!
Go for it! :smiley: