BLUF
The de Haviland Vampire jet was developed during WW2 and was capable in both the fighter and attack roles— the RN and RAN used the Sea Vampire version, and the RAAF later used it as a training aircraft.Summary
Henry Kelsall writing in Hotcars, makes the following points:
- Made by de Havilland, famous for its ‘wooden wonder’, the Mosquito.
- A unique twin-boom design (similar to the piston engine American P-38 Lightning), single engine, tricycle undercarriage.
- In service with the RAF until 1966, RAAF and RAN, 1970.
- The first jet aircraft to land and take off from an aircraft carrier.
- Used in the Malayan Emergency and by France, Norway, Rhodesia and Sweden.
References
- MILITARY HISTORY: INDEX of PAGES AND COLLECTIONS ON THE RAAF RUNWAY
- APR 2022 Vampire jet added to 2022 Dayton Air Show lineup-Dayton 24/7
- JUN 2022 Forbes' iconic De Havilland Vampire jet to come down after 50 years, amid public safety risk-ABC news
