de Havilland 100: Hornets in Malaya

Hornets in Malaya

The initial conception of the de Havilland Hornet as a Pacific theatre fighter seemed distant, but this changed in 1948 with the eruption of the Malayan emergency. There, two RAF squadrons fought against poor serviceability to make a significant operational contribution — and in the ground attack role to boot

A trio of No 45 Squadron Hornet F3s, comprising F3s WB908/OB-L, WB876/OB-O and WF959/OB-K, en route to a strike in Malaya during February 1954.
VIA MATTHEW WILLIS

The Malayan Communist Party had provided the most effective opposition to the Japanese occupation during the Second World War, with British support, training and equipment. The re-establishment of colonial authority after the war had frustrated the party’s long-term aspiration for a communist Malaya, however. Industrial agitation and political activism escalated into violence, and the murder of three plantation owners finally prompted the British authorities to take action.

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below