History

In 1941 the first British jet, the Gloster Pioneer, flew with a Power Jets W.1 engine. The engine was used as the basis for redesign and production of the DH Goblin engine.

The design of this engine was started in April 1942 and it was producing its full thrust by June 1942.

In 1941 the UK Air Ministry had issued a specification for a new single engine fighter using this new engine. The DH design was built using the same techniques as the Mosquito from a mixture of metal, wood and balsa.

The new aircraft flew in Sep 1943 and was nicknamed the “Spider Crab”. It was ordered into production as the Vampire Mk.1.

The aircraft did not reach service until 1946.

The early versions were soon replaced with the FB.5 appearing in June 1948.

At its peak, 19 RAF Squadrons operated the FB.5.

The Vampire was a successful export for the UK with versions being used by 32 countries.

Airfix 1/72 kit completed by Steve Pulbrook in 2010.

Data

MODEL: DeHavilland Vampire FB.5

ROLE: fighter

TIME PERIOD: 1943-1970s

ENGINES: one deHavilland Goblin 1 centrifugal turbojet of 1046kg thrust

WING SPAN: 11.57m

LENGTH: 9.36m

MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 5620kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 861km/h

RANGE: 1960 km

CREW: 1

ARMAMENT: four 20 mm cannon and up to 450kg of underwing stores

SCALE: 1/72

KIT:

GALLERIES: , ,

Download details (PDF)

Recently added to the Collection

All Galleries
V Messerschmitt Bf109G 14 A Hasegawa 32 The Little Aviation Museum

Messerschmitt Bf109G-14 (Karl-Heinz Erler)

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Renard R.38

KODAK Digital Still Camera

CAC CA-25 Winjeel

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Lockheed SP-2H

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Boeing BBJ (RAAF)

H Messerschmitt Bf109G 14AS Hasegawa 32

Messerschmitt Bf109G-14/AS

H Messerschmitt Bf109F 4 JG 5 Hasegawa 32

Messerschmitt Bf109F-4

X Dassault Falcon 50 Amodel 72 The Little Aviation Museum

Dassault Falcon 50