Vampire

The de Havilland Vampire was the first jet fighter to enter service with the Royal Air Force and one of the earliest operational jet aircraft in the world. Designed shortly after World II by the de Havilland Aircraft Company, its maiden flight took place on 20 September 1943 at Hatfield, and it was introduced into RAF squadrons in 1946. The aircraft featured a distinctive twin‑boom fuselage and a single Goblin centrifugal‑flow turbo‑jet mounted centrally beneath the wing, delivering about 3 500 lb thrust. With a maximum speed of 548 mph (882 km/h), a service ceiling of 42 000 feet, and an armament of four 20 mm Hispano cannons plus optional rockets or bombs, the Vampire could fulfill both fighter‑interceptor and ground‑attack roles. Its straightforward construction—metal skin over a stressed‑skin monocoque structure—and easy maintenance made it attractive to export customers, leading to production under licence in countries such as Australia, France and Sweden. More than 3,000 Vampires were built, serving in over 20 air forces and remaining in frontline service into the 1960s. The Vampire’s reliability, versatility and early jet performance cemented its place as a bridge between piston‑engine fighters and the supersonic era, influencing subsequent de Havilland designs such as the Venom and Sea Vixen.

de Havilland Aircraft Company

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Design & Classification