de Havilland Vampire Mk.1 'RAF, RAAF and Armee de l'Air. Development of jet fighter later to be named Vampire began in 1941 and related closely with development of H-1 jet engine, for which the engine section of de Havilland company was responsible. The engine was known later under its new name Goblin and its development was very successful. The Vampire was therefore ordered under Air Ministry specification E6/41 for an experimental machine able to be converted to a fighter plane. The design of the plane was fully adjusted to the new engine, which resulted in overall tiny dimensions of the plane, very low undercarriage and the tail planes being carried by two slim tail booms. The first prototype, unofficially named Spider Crab, flew for the first time on September 20, 1943 with G. de Havilland Jr at the controls. The trials were a success and an order for first 120 planes was placed in May 1944 and was continuously increased. The production planes were licence-built by English Electric since de Havilland was busy producing Mosquitoes. The original name Spider Crab was rejected by the RAF and changed to Vampire Mk.I.
First squadrons got their Vampires in May 1945, but did not take part in the war. The development continued in further versions, besides the versions with DH Goblin engine, there were also versions with Nene engine (built in Australia), two-seat night fighter versions, two-seater training versions or naval fighter versions. The Mk.I version was also the very first jet fighter aircraft to be used by military of neutral countries, Switzerland and Sweden.
SPECIFICATIONS: - Colour: Multi-Colour
- Material: Plastic
