DE HAVILLAND 100 VAMPIRE Mk.I - RAF - RAAF and FRENCH Armée de l’Air - 1948

Description

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. Originally, the Vampire Mk.I kit was to offer schemes for just two operators of the type, the RAF and RAAF. It has been decided, however, that a new marking option will be offered in this boxing to make it more attractive for a wider range of modellers. The new addition to the kit is a quite eye-catching machine wearing French colours and the title of this boxing has also been updated. (Scale : 1/72e)