The Vampire began as an experimental aircraft developed during the Second World War to harness the newly developed jet engine. Design work began at the de Havilland works in 1941, with the first flight at Hatfield in September 1943, and entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1945. The aircraft was entirely a de Havilland project, and it utilized the company's extensive experience with using moulded plywood for aircraft construction. It was the last time composite wood/metal construction was used in high performance military aircraft. It was the first to be powered by a single jet engine. The Vampire was the second British designed and built jet fighter (after the Gloster Meteor) to go into service with the RAF and the RCAF's first jet type.
The RAF used the Vampire as a front line fighter until 1953 before it assumed secondary roles such as pilot training. It was retired by the RAF in 1966, replaced by the Hawker Hunter and Gloster Javelin. It achieved several aviation firsts and records, including being the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The Vampire had many export sales and was operated by various air forces. It participated in subsequent conflicts such as the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Malayan emergency and the Rhodesian Bush War. Almost 3,300 Vampires were manufactured, a quarter of them built under licence in other countries.
Various modifications for RF7. Jet engine modified to JetCat P80-SE specifications.
Fly with the rate switch in the “high” position.
Throttle, rudder, elevator, ailerons, retracts. Landing flaps on the Interlink rotary knob.
For the 3 position toggle switch top left of the Interlink controller, fly with the switch in the middle position. Toggling towards you engages a speed brake and also engages the wheel brakes. Toggling away from you lifts the speed brake into a wing spoiler position for quicker launches.
A very nicely done jet model that flies quite well.
The RAF used the Vampire as a front line fighter until 1953 before it assumed secondary roles such as pilot training. It was retired by the RAF in 1966, replaced by the Hawker Hunter and Gloster Javelin. It achieved several aviation firsts and records, including being the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The Vampire had many export sales and was operated by various air forces. It participated in subsequent conflicts such as the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Malayan emergency and the Rhodesian Bush War. Almost 3,300 Vampires were manufactured, a quarter of them built under licence in other countries.
Various modifications for RF7. Jet engine modified to JetCat P80-SE specifications.
Fly with the rate switch in the “high” position.
Throttle, rudder, elevator, ailerons, retracts. Landing flaps on the Interlink rotary knob.
For the 3 position toggle switch top left of the Interlink controller, fly with the switch in the middle position. Toggling towards you engages a speed brake and also engages the wheel brakes. Toggling away from you lifts the speed brake into a wing spoiler position for quicker launches.
A very nicely done jet model that flies quite well.
