A78 DH Vampire

In 1946 approval was given for the purchase of an initial quantity of 50 Vampire aircraft for the RAAF. The first three machines were British-built aircraft, an F 1, F 2 and FB 5, and were given serial numbers A78-1 to 3. The second aircraft, the F 2 (A78-2), was significant in that it was powered by a Rolls Royce Nene jet engine, rather than the usual Goblin. This paved the way for licence production of Nene-engined Vampire by de Havilland Australia, which were identified under the A79 serial prefix. These three British Vampires were used for tests, training and evaluation flights, and were later utilised as training aids at the School of Technical Training. All three aircraft were out of RAAF service by 1963.

TECHNICAL DATA: de Havilland Vampire FB 5

DESCRIPTION:

Single-seat fighter/ fighter-bomber

POWER PLANT:

One 1406 kg (3100 lb) thrust de Havilland Goblin 2 turbojet.

WEIGHTS:

Empty 3290 kg (7253 lb); loaded 5606 kg (12 360 lb).

DIMENSIONS:

Wingspan 11.58 m (38 ft 0 in); Length 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in); Height 2.69 m (8 ft 10 in).

PERFORMANCE:

Max speed 861 km/h (535 mph); Cruise speed 563 km/h (350 mph); Ceiling 40,000 ft (12 192 m); Rate of Climb 1234 m (4050 m)/min; Range 1883 km (1170 miles).

ARMAMENT:

Four 20mm cannon, eight 27 kg (60 lb) rockets, or two 454 kg (1000 lb) bombs. Back to top

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