de Havilland F 3 Hornets at RAF Butterworth

During the Malayan Emergency that was to last from 1948 to 1960, RAF as well as RAAF and RNZAF units stationed at the airfield played an active role from 1950 in helping to curb the communist insurgency in the jungles of Malaya by attacking suspected hideouts and harassing the communist guerrillas. Considerable numbers of Hornets were redeployed from Fighter Command to the squadrons of the Far East Air Force (FEAF). Along with 64 Sqn, 33, 45, and 80 squadrons participated in combat operations.

[@ingosippel9653]

I love the mosquito and the hornet is absolutly the greatest piston Engineering fighter.

[@kneelneil]

The sergeant pilot at the back of the group at 2:19 was Jock Wallace who went on to fly Javelins and then in the mid 60's flew Meteors at RAF Changi, Singapore, where I worked with him.

[@burningb2439]

The Mosquito after a severe diet , what an Aircraft ..luv the footage .

[@Jester-Riddle]

Seems to be almost a hybrid with the Westland Whirlwind (that never got its Merlins installed ...). What say you ?

[@burningb2439]

@@Jester-Riddle I watched a vid on the Whirlwind and could not believe they never tried it out with Merlins ! , the Hornet is the Mozzies little sister , the speed performance must have been fantastic the Airframe was along for the ride .

[@vernonrabbetts]

If Cmdr Eric "Winkle" Brown calls this his favourite aircraft of the era...does anyone get to argue?

[@saberdogface]

No, sir. No arguments.

[@thewatcher5271]

I Thought He Reached The Rank Of Captain. Actually, I Have His Book But Ashamed To Say It's Boxed Away. If He Said It, Then There Can Be No Argument. Did Any Survive?

[@downunderrob]

Nope. I wouldn't dare.

[@olesuhr727]

Did he ever fly the Martin Baker MB5? Not that I know if it would have changed his mind, but the MB5 looks like it would have been a dandy of a fighter!

[@ethelburga]

@@olesuhr727 Assume he flew everything. Even the German planes.

[@tabsqc]

Winkle said it very overpowered one of the reasons he loved. Engines were handed so no nasties on take off.

[@warwickjwilson]

Z

[@byronbailey9229]

Had the ultimate 2000 hp RR Merlin in a low drag cowl

[@saberdogface]

That was a beautiful, powerful machine.

[@boboala1]

Love that soundtrack, too! I was able to support myself in college for a couple of years playing in the last of a midwest working big band dance orchestra. I thank God I was just old enough to experience & perform tunes from this unique era...replaced now by what our leader called 'wire bands' and he was referring to electric guitar & bass bands. All things must & will pass...

[@johnthorpe4425]

Someone mentioned the two pilots who crashed and died soon after taking off. I don't know their names. I had only been at Butterworth a few days , I remember how sad we all were

[@TheMDJ2000]

Subsequently RAAF Butterworth, now RMAF Butterworth, with the RAAF still maintaining a presence.

[@peterkirgan2921]

go the RAAF !!!

[@jonathangriffiths2499]

Note the roller landing rather than 3 pointers

[@d.howerton9273]

Fine looking warbird. Would have been a big help in WWII.

[@Jester-Riddle]

The Merlin engines would probably have gone into the existing underpowered Westland Whirlwinds if there had been any engines available ...

[@Firebrand55]

What might have been......in operation a few years earlier, this baby might well have shortened the War. Sleek, fast,( 400 mph plus ), well-armed, it would have been a match for the ME 262 jet.

[@rovercoupe7104]

Neat engine installation.

[@paololiguori150]

a forgotten period, when the Empire was still alive

[@johnmay6090]

Good video.

[@francisalanbeattie4458]

Can anyone tell me the names of the two pilots who crashed in the early 50's at Butterworth after take off, on their way to Changi to pick up their wives. A sad day for all of us. Being a witness one never forgets.

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

Great video, although why the dance band music has presidence over the sound of multi Merlins I am not sure

[@noha61]

Hi..can i share your video on my channel?.. Are you ex army in Airbase Butterworth?..33 squadron have been changed to 3 squadron while the old building and tower still in used until now..time lapse!

[@Michelottob]

No problemo ;p

[@noha61]

@@Michelottob tqvm sir i am very grateful.

[@awlonghurst]

Fantastic footage. By the way what's the music please?

[@Michelottob]

Thank you! For the music, go here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXinopmbqsh6htE

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Hi, nice video. I 'm creating a short documentary on the Hornet, and was wondering if it would be possible to use this footage in my final video? Thanks 👍✈

[@Michelottob]

Hi T-E, no problem, it's public domain!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

@@Michelottob ok cool, thanks

[@nyiloronikki160]

so many wars in the past but still today.

[@Goatboysminion]

If there was one post war plane, that i wish they'd had in WW2. It would be this magnificent thoroughbred.

[@_DK_-]

It almost made it, production started in February 1945 but was too late to get to the Pacific.

[@rojaunjames747]

Me too hornet looks amzing

[@relluplewis7112]

It is one of only three twin (piston) engined fighters I know of that had contra-rotating props(& engines). The other 2 being P-38 Lighting's & P(later F)-82 Twin Mustang's. This gave all of them the ability to turn as tightly left as right, something a single (piston)engined fighter cannot do.

[@rojaunjames747]

@@relluplewis7112 what about the de havilland mosqutio there is a fighter verisons of it

[@captainbeaky]

@@rojaunjames747 Mosquito engines both rotate in the same direction

[@rekatropics3038]

i think it was during Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation

[@marcinhartowicz8043]

My favorites fighter ...

[@davidelliott5843]

Those props look huge yet the plane is much the same as the Mosquito with a smaller cockpit and no bomb bay.

[@stevena9305]

It’s actually smaller than a Mossie so the four bladers do look huge.

[@mreuropa88]

My dad's old Squadron and stamping ground

[@riekusthomsen1064]

My Great-Uncles old Squadron, Flight Officer Duck

[@OdeeOz]

Have to agree with Goatboy. Glad to see it's in iL2-1946 game.

[@dambuster6387]

I think the hornets where the next generation after the Dh98.

[@exJacktar]

Coming home with empty racks. Nice to see.

[@Gruntol5]

Loved the Hornet but the hell needs the irrelevant music?

[@Michelottob]

Irrelevant remark

[@mudpie95]

@@Michelottob Quite liked the music (for a change).

[@mael-strom9707]

What music? I'm deaf due to being around aircraft without hearing protection.

[@angelbreath6539]

Great music

[@tango6nf477]

mute it then