Fifty-seven years ago, Capt Sir Geoffrey de Havilland died at the age of 82. The curtain may have come down on this British aviation pioneer, but the aircraft produced by his company have secured their place in history. de Havilland was responsible for some of the finest aircraft ever created – including the world’s first jet airliner. Steve Beebee attempts the impossible – picking out the ten greatest aircraft from the immortal de Havilland stable
10 HORNET
Crew: One
Length: 35ft 6in (10.8m) – note all specs are for Hornet F.1, unless stated
Wingspan: 45ft (13.7m)
Height: 14ft 2in (4.3m)
Loaded weight: 15,820lb (7,176kg)
Powerplant: Two Rolls-Royce Merlin 130/131 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines, 2,070hp (1,540kW) each
Max speed: 475mph (764km/h)
Range: 1,480 miles (2,380km)
Armament: Four 20mm Hispano cannon, a pair of 1,000lb bombs, eight 60lb RP-3 unguided rockets (Hornet F.3)
