OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Power Reel Models HORNET - c1951 - Hornet & Blue Hornet

Hello ODK history lovers

This is the story of the Hornet Lawnmower Manufacturing Company of 175 King Street, Mascot, Sydney.
They manufactured reel and rotary lawnmowers in the 1950s. This post addresses their reel mowers.

It would appear that Hornet started manufacturing in about 1951. However, they originally sold machines under their
original name, Anderson Brothers.



When I say 'manufactured' I do not mean total manufacture of the lawnmower, at least in respect of their reel mowers.
Hornet would use the Qualcast Blue Ribbon side-wheel hand mowers to produce their electric Blue Hornet Mower.
Hornet would use the Qualcast Panther roller mower to produce electric, and then petrol Hornet Motor Mowers.

THE BLUE HORNET
In one of the few records I have, notice how the lawnmower is marketed as though it were of total Qualcast
manufacture: It's the Qualcast Blue Hornet. In most advertisements, though, it is represented as being a
Blue Hornet Electric Mower (with no reference to Qualcast).

NOTE in the advertisement below that the side-wheel is self-propelling. This was quite unusual,
given that the competition machine's electric motor powered just the reel. Here I am specifically thinking of
Pope Products' Centre Court. Interestingly, The Blue Hornet's motor cover looks remarkably similar to that machine.

Note also that the record makes reference to a 'Flex Safety Arm that keeps flex clear of the blades.'
That arm is not illustrated, but would have been a short swing arm hinged from the handle (I guess).



TO BE CONTINUED ...

THE HORNET POWER ROLLER MOWER

The second powered reel lawnmower the Hornet Company made was based on the 12" Qualcast Panther hand roller-mower.
Considerable modification was required to convert this popular hand reel mower to petrol power.

Powered by a Villiers Midget engine started by hand crank, the machine used two drive belts.
The final drive belt had a simple tensioner connected to a hand lever, enabling self-propulsion
(see Photo Record).

I do not have a good quality illustration of the Hornet. In the David Jones advertisement below,
note the popularity of electric lawnmowers. The Pope Centre Court (C) was competition to the
Blue Hornet. It is difficult to make out detail of the Hornet (G). Please refer to the Photo Record
for good detail on the Hornet Motor Mower.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

SIGNIFICANCE

Hornets were early manufacturers in the Australian domestic power lawnmower market.
The company made an electric side-wheel based - The Blue Hornet - and a petrol roller mower - The Hornet -
based on the Qualcast Panther.

The petrol machine should be considered most collectable because of the considerable engineering required to
power and propel it. Both machines are rare and do not appear to have been sold outside of NSW.

Hornet also ventured into rotary mowers in the late 1950s, with their Green Hornet gaining some popularity.
These are rare machines too.

The Rest is History
-------------------------------------
JACK.

PART THEE - Manuals
I have a small manual for the Hornet Roller Mower and a small
Instruction Card. The illustration (of the Panther) seems to have
been taken from a Qualcast manual.

For the record, another Hornet Reel came to auction
in late 2016. This one was powered by a JAP engine c1960s.