De Havilland Vampire

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter. The DH.100 Vampire was commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War , and was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF, after the pioneering Gloster Meteor . Although the Vampire arrived too late to see combat during the war, it served with front line RAF squadrons until 1955, and continued in use as a trainer until 1966. The Vampire also served with many air forces worldwide, and set aviation firsts and records.

Almost 3,300 Vampires were built, a quarter of them under licence in other countries. The Vampire design was also developed into the de Havilland Venom fighter-bomber as well as naval Sea Vampire variants.

Design and development

The Vampire was considered to be a largely experimental design due to its unorthodox arrangement and the use of a single engine, unlike the Gloster Meteor which was always specified for production. The low-powered early British jet engines meant that only twin-engine aircraft designs were considered practical; but as more powerful engines were developed, particularly Frank Halford 's H.1 (later known as the Goblin ), a single-engined jet fighter became more viable. De Havilland were approached to produce an airframe for the H.1, and their first design, the DH.99, was an all-metal, twin-boom , tricycle undercarriage aircraft armed with four cannons. The use of a twin boom (similar to that of the Lockheed P-38 ) kept the jet pipe short which avoided the power loss of a long pipe that would have been needed in a conventional fuselage. The DH.99 was modified to a mixed wood and metal construction in light of Ministry of Aircraft Production recommendations, and the design was renumbered to DH.100 by November 1941.

Under specification E.6/41 for two prototypes, design work on the DH.100 began at the de Havilland works at Hatfield in mid-1942, two years after the Meteor.

Originally named the "Spider Crab," the aircraft was entirely a de Havilland project, exploiting the company's extensive experience in building with moulded plywood for aircraft construction. Many of the basic design features were first used in their Mosquito bomber. It had conventional straight mid-wings and a single jet engine placed in an egg-shaped, aluminium -skinned fuselage, exhausting in a straight line.

Geoffrey de Havilland Jr , the de Havilland chief test pilot and son of the company's founder, test flew prototype ''LZ548/G '' on its maiden flight 20 September 1943 from Hatfield. The flight took place only six months after the Meteor's maiden flight. The first Vampire flight had been delayed due to the need to send the sole remaining flight engine to Lockheed to replace one destroyed in ground engine runs in the prototype XP-80 . The production Vampire Mk I did not fly until April 1945, with most being built by English Electric Aircraft due to the pressures on de Havilland's production facilities which were busy with other types. Although eagerly taken into service by the RAF, it was still being developed at war's end, and never saw combat in the Second World War.

De Havilland initiated a private venture night fighter , the DH.113 intended for export, fitting a two seat cockpit closely based on that of the Mosquito night fighter, and a lengthened nose accommodating AI Mk X radar . An order to supply the Egyptian Air Force was received, but this was blocked by the British government as part of a general ban on supplying arms to Egypt . Instead the RAF took over the order and put them into service as an interim between the retirement of the de Havilland Mosquito night fighter and the full introduction of the Meteor night fighter. Removal of the radar from the night fighter and fitting of dual controls gave a jet trainer, the DH.115 Vampire T.11. This was built in large numbers, both for the RAF and for export.

A total of 3,268 Vampires were built in 15 versions, including a twin-seat night fighter , trainer and carrier-based aircraft designated Sea Vampire.

It was used by some 31 air forces. Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.S. were the only major Western powers not to use the aircraft type.

Records and achievements

The Finnish Air Force received six FB 52 Vampires in 1953. The model was nicknamed "''Vamppi''" in Finnish service. An additional nine twin-seat T 55s were purchased in 1955. The aircraft were assigned to 2nd Wing at Pori, but were transferred to 1st Wing at Tikkakoski at the end of the 1950s. The last Finnish Vampire was decommissioned in 1965.

India

No. 7 Squadron, Indian Air Force (IAF) received Vampires in January 1949. Although the unit was put on high alert during the Sino-Indian War of 1962, it did not see any action, as the air force's role was limited to supply and evacuation.

On September 1, 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War , IAF Vampires saw action for the first time. No. 45 Squadron responded to a request for strikes against a counter-attack by the Pakistani Army (Operation Grand Slam ) and four Vampire Mk 52 fighter-bombers were successful in slowing the Pakistani advance. However, the Vampires encountered two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-86 Sabres, armed with air to air missiles ; in the ensuing dogfight, the outdated Vampires were outclassed. One was shot down by ground fire and another three were shot down by Sabres. The Vampires were withdrawn from front line service after these losses.

Norway

The Royal Norwegian Air Force purchased 20 Vampires F3s, 36 FB52s and six T55 trainers. The Vampire was in use in Norway from 1948 to 1957 equipping a three-squadron Vampire wing at Gardermoen. The Vampires were withdrawn in 1957 when the air force re-equipped with the Republic F-84G Thunderjet . The Vampire trainers were replaced by the Lockheed T-33 in 1955 and returned to the United Kingdom and used by the Royal Air Force.

Sweden

The Swedish Air Force purchased its first batch of 70 FB 1 Vampires in 1946, looking for a jet to replace the already outdated SAAB 21 and J 22 s of its fighter force. The aircraft was designated J 28A and was assigned to the F 13 Norrköping Wing. It provided such good service that it was selected as the backbone of the fighter force. A total of 310 of the more modern FB 50, designated J 28B, were purchased in 1949. The last one was delivered in 1952, after which all piston-engined fighters were decommissioned. In addition, a total of 57 two-seater DH 115 Vampire called J 28C were used for training.

The Swedish Vampires were retired as fighters in 1956 and replaced with J 29 (SAAB Tunnan ) and J 34 (Hawker Hunter ). The last Vampire trainer was retired in 1968. (All Vampire warbirds being flown in Sweden today originate from the Swiss Air Force .)

Rhodesia

The Rhodesian Air Force acquired 16 Vampire FB9 fighters and a further 16 Vampire FB11 trainers in the early 1950s, its first jet aircraft, equipping two squadrons. These were regularly deployed to Aden between 1957 and 1961, supporting British counter-insurgency operations. 21 more two seaters and 13 single seaters were supplied by South Africa in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rhodesia operated Vampires until the end of the bush war in 1979. They were eventually replaced by the BAe Hawk 60 in the early 1980s. After 30 years service they were the last Vampires used on operations anywhere in the world.

Variants

* DH 100 : three prototypes.

* Vampire Mk I : single-seat fighter version for the RAF ; 244 production aircraft being built.

* Mk II : three prototypes, with Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engine. One built and two conversions.

* F 3 : single-seat fighter for the RAF. Two prototypes were converted from the Mk 1; 202 production aircraft were built, 20 were exported to Norway

* Mk IV : Nene-engined project, not built.

* FB 5 : single-seat fighter-bomber version. Powered by the Goblin 2 turbojet; 930 built for the RAF and 88 for export.

* FB 6 : single-seat fighter-bomber. Powered by a Goblin 3 turbojet; 178 built, 100 built in Switzerland for the Swiss Air Force .

* Mk 8: Ghost-engined, one conversion from Mk 1.

* FB 9 : tropicalised fighter-bomber through addition of air conditioning to Mark 5. Powered by Goblin 3 turbojet; 326 built, mostly by de Havilland.

* Mk 10 or DH 113 Vampire: Goblin-powered two-seater prototype; two built.

* NF 10 : two-seat night fighter version for the RAF; 95 built including 29 as the NF54.

* Sea Vampire Mk10 : prototype for deck trials. One conversion.

* Mk 11 or DH 115 Vampire Trainer : private venture, two-seat jet trainer prototype.

* T 11 : two-seat training version for the RAF. Powered by a Goblin 35 turbojet engine; 731 were built.

* Sea Vampire F 20 : naval version of the FB 5; 18 built by English Electric.

* Sea Vampire Mk 21 : six aircraft converted from F.3s with strengthened belly and arrester hook for trials of undercarriage-less landings on flexible decks.

* Sea Vampire T 22 : two-seat training version for the Royal Navy; 73 built by De Havilland.

* FB 25 : FB 5 variants; 25 exported to New Zealand

* F 30 : single-seat fighter-bomber version for the RAAF . Powered by Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet; 80 built in Australia.

* FB 31 : Nene-engined, 29 built in Australia.

* F 32 : one Australian conversion with air conditioning.

* T 33 : two-seat training version. Powered by the Goblin turbojet; 36 were built in Australia.

* T 34 : two-seat training version for the Royal Australian Navy; five were built in Australia.

* T 34A : Vampire T 34s fitted with ejector seats.

* T 35 : modified two-seat training version; 68 built in Australia.

* T 35A : T33 conversions to T35 configuration.

* FB 50 : exported to Sweden as the J 28B; 310 built, 12 of which were eventually rebuilt to T 55 standard.

* FB 51 : export prototype (one conversion) to France.

* FB 52 : export version of Mk 6, 101 built; 36 exported to Norway and in use from 1949 to 1957

* FB 52A : single-seat fighter-bomber for the Italian Air Force ; 80 built in Italy. .

* FB 53 : single-seat fighter-bomber for the ''Armee de l'Air ''; 250 built in France, as the Sud-Est SE 535 Mistral.

* NF 54 : export version of Vampire NF 10 for the Italian Air Force; 29 being built.

* T 55 : export version of the DH 115 trainer; 216 built and six converted from the T 11.

Operators

Austria

*Austrian Air Force

Australia

*Royal Australian Air Force

**No. 21 Squadron RAAF

**No. 22 Squadron RAAF

**No. 23 Squadron RAAF

**No. 25 Squadron RAAF

**No. 75 Squadron RAAF

**No. 76 Squadron RAAF

**No. 1 Advanced Flying Training School RAAF

**No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF

**No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF

**Central Flying School RAAF

*Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm (RAN)

**723 Squadron RAN

**724 Squadron RAN

Burma|1948

*Burmese Air Force

Ceylon

*Royal Ceylon Air Force

Canada|1921

*Royal Canadian Air Force

Chile

*Chilean Air Force

Congo

Dominican Republic

*Dominican Air Force - (F.1: 25 (ex Swedish); FB.50: 17 (ex Swedish))

Egypt

*Egyptian Air Force

Finland

*Finnish Air Force

France

*''Armee de l'Air ''

India

*Indian Air Force

Indonesia

*Indonesian Air Force - (T.11: 6)

Iraq|1959

*Iraqi Air Force

Ireland

*Irish Air Corps

Italy

*Italian Air Force

Japan

*Japan Air Self Defence Force

Jordan

*Royal Jordanian Air Force

Katanga

*(T.11: 2 (ex Portuguese))

Lebanon

*Lebanese Air Force

Mexico

*Mexican Air Force (retired 1970)

New Zealand

*Royal New Zealand Air Force

**No. 14 Squadron RNZAF

**No. 75 Squadron RNZAF

Norway

*Royal Norwegian Air Force

**No. 336 Squadron RNoAF

**No. 337 Squadron RNoAF

**No. 339 Squadron RNoAF

**Jet Training Wing

Portugal

*Portuguese Air Force

Rhodesia

*Rhodesian Air Force

South Africa|1928

*South African Air Force

Sweden

*Royal Swedish Air Force : (F.1 (J 28A): 70; FB.50 (J 28B): 310; T.55 (J 28C): 57)

Switzerland

*Swiss Air Force

Syria

*Syrian Air Force

United Kingdom

*Royal Air Force

*Fleet Air Arm

Venezuela|1930

*Venezuelan Air Force

ZIM

*Zimbabwe Air Force

Survivors

Although 80+ Vampires are still airworthy, only a small number are flying including two ex-Swiss aircraft (T11 and FB 6) in Sweden. Another ex-Swiss twoseater is privately owned in Norway and does promotional work for the Norwegian Airforce. One of the last airworthy Vampire T 11s is operated by the Vampire Preservation Group from North Weald in Essex, UK. Several ex-Swiss and ex-Australian Vampires operate as collectors' aircraft in the U.S. One ex-Australian two-seat Mk 35W Vampire, S/N ''A79-617'' was restored by Red Star Aviation of Hackettstown, New Jersey and then repatriated to Australia, where it is displayed in air shows. Several other U.S.-based Vampires are abandoned and in disrepair, as is an ex-airworthy example stored at Sullivan County Airport, in New York .An ex-RNZAF T 11 is being restored at the New Zealand Fighter Pilot Museum in Wanaka.

In 1964 Lynn Garrison acquired two ex-RCAF Vampire DH-100 Mark 111s. One of these survives, displayed in The Aerospace Museum in Calgary, Alberta

On 6 June 2009, the world's oldest flying jet, a Vampire built in 1947, formerly of the RCAF and owned by the Wings of Flight Air Museum in Batavia, New York , crashed during an emergency landing at Rochester International Airport . The aircraft had just taken off to fly to Batavia but returned due to engine trouble. Experiencing a total flameout the pilot belly landed on the grass parallel to the runway. The aircraft struck a berm near the taxiway which caused substantial damage.. The pilot, Peter Treichler of East Aurora, New York, escaped with minor injuries. The aircraft had previously been restored with funding from actor John Travolta .

Aircraft on display

Examples of the de Havilland Vampire on display include:

* Aero Space Museum , Calgary , Alberta (de Havilland DH 100 Vampire F Mk. III )

* Alberta Aviation Museum (de Havilland Australia Vampire T 35 (1964))

* Aviation Museum of Central Finland (three examples of Vampire Mk 52 and two examples of Mk 55 in storage)

* Canada Aviation and Space Museum (de Havilland DH 100 Vampire 3)

* Austrian Airforce Museum Zeltweg/Styria (De Havilland Vampire Two Seat Trainer)

* Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

* Canadian Museum of Flight

* Collins Barracks (Dublin) as part of the National Museum of Ireland .

* Forbes, New South Wales . Monument next to Lake Forbes

* Indian Air Force Museum, Palam, New Delhi

* Air Force Technical College Indian Air Force Bangalore

* Indonesian Air Force Dirgantara Mandala Museum, Adisutjipto Air Force Base, Yogyakarta

* de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre in Hertfordshire

* Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland , New Zealand (De Havilland Vampire FB9)

* Reynolds-Alberta Museum

* Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum

* Royal Saudi Air Force Museum

* South African Air Force Museum , Port Elizabeth , SAAF 205, FB5, static display

* Southward Car Museum ,

* Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Monument at Bolton Park next to the Sturt Highway

* Temora Aviation Museum (Flying condition)

* Wingham , New South Wales ex RAAF A79-593 on pylon in Central Park.

* Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon

* FB5 ''WA346'' under restoration at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford , England.

* T11 ''WZ590'' on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford , England.

* T11 ''XH313'' on display at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum , England.

* T11 ''XD593'' on display at the Newark Air Museum , England.

* T11 ''XD626'' on display at the Midland Air Museum , Coventry, England.

* T11 ''WZ518'' on display at the North East Aircraft Museum , Sunderland, England.An ex-Swiss example is displayed at the Quonset Air Museum, North Kingstown, RI, USA, and is owned and flown by the Red Star Aviation Museum, who contract with QAM for storage while the aircraft is not being flown.

Specifications (Vampire FB6)

Notable appearances in media

Aircraft in fiction (de Havilland Vampire)