De Havilland Vampire F3

London, Hangar Three/Four Aircraft & Exhibits

This aircraft entered RAF service in 1947 as a fighter interceptor. Initially based in Cyprus it was badly damaged in a landing accident when with No. 601 (County of London) Squadron Auxiliary Air Force.

Repaired and returned to service at Abbotsinch in Scotland, it was withdrawn in 1953 and became a gate guardian at RAF Cardington. The Vampire was a first-generation jet fighter which saw service in the immediate post-war period with Royal Air Force front-line fighter squadrons in the United Kingdom and Germany, followed by further service with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Originally called the Spider Crab it was re-named Vampire when ordered into production for the Royal Air Force.

Details

Object number	78/A/873
Maker name	De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited, English Electric Company Limited
Production date	Oct 1947
Date in use	1947-1964
Associated with	5 Maintenance Unit (RAF) 32 Squadron (RAF) 614 Squadron (RAF) 601 Squadron (RAF) 602 Squadron (RAF) 48 Maintenance Unit (RAF)
Associated places	RAF Kemble RAF Nicosia RAF Llandow RAF North Weald RAF Abbotsinch RAF Hawarden RAF Wyton RAF Colerne RAF Cosford RAF Benson RAF Cardington
Key events	50th Anniversary of the RAF Royal Review, Abingdon, 1968

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De Havilland Vampire F3

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