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The prototype Vampire first flew in 1943 although it
did not enter RAF service until 1946. The early models were single seat
fighters and fighter bombers, and many variants were produced. The F.
Mk.1 (244 built) was powered by a 3100lb.s.t.(13.79kN) Goblin and 70
were supplied to Sweden. The F.Mk.3 (202 built) featured a revised tail
and carried extra fuel in drop tanks. 85 were supplied to the Royal
Canadian Air Force. The FB.Mk.5 (888 built) was a ground attack version
of the F.Mk.3 and was also built under licence in France as the Sud-Est
Mistral (250 built), in Italy by Macchi as the FB. Mk.52A (80 built) and
in Switzerland by FFA as the FB.Mk.6 (100 built). The Vampire was built
under licence in France, Switzerland, Italy and Australia. An Australian
example is illustrated above. More than 2800 of all variants were
eventually built when production ended in 1958. The type saw service
with almost thirty countries and today about 80 are still in flying
condition.
VH-HLF
c/n 4158 United Kingdom
2 seat military trainer first flown in 1950
Engine: 3500lb.s.t.(15.57kN) de Havilland Goblin
Length: 34’6.5"(10.51m)
Height: 6’2"(1.88m)Wingspan: 38’0"(11.59m)
No.built: 109 Range: 850miles(1368km)
Cruising speed: 450mph(724kmh) Empty weight: 7380lb(3347kg)
Maximum take-off weight: 11,150lb(5060kg)
A Vampire F.Mk.3 is illustrated below.
SE-DXS c/n 705
Photo: John Chalmers
A Vampire T.35 is shown below.
VH-ICP
c/n
A Vampire F.Mk.3 is illustrated below.
N6878D
c/n 17072 |
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