DE HAVILLAND DH-115 “VAMPIRE”€

1944’€“1961

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The twin-tailed de Havilland Vampire, though too late for World War II, initially served as Britain's home defense fighter.
  • While replaced by the Meteor as a frontline fighter by 1951, its two-seat training and tactical versions continued global service until the 1970s.
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STANDARD DATA: Seats 1-2. Gross wt. 11,150. Empty wt. 7,380. Engine one 3,350-lb. Goblin 3 Centrifugal flow turbojet.
PERFORMANCE: Max speed 538 mph. Cruise speed 316 mph. Range 840 nm. Ceiling 40,000′.

The twin-tailed Vampire was too late to see service in World War II, but quickly became Britain’s home defense fighter. By 1951 the Vampire was being replaced by the Meteor, so in 1950 de Havilland offered a twoseat training version of the jet. Training and tactical versions of the jet remained in service in a number of countries throughout the world until the 1970s.

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