Vampires RIAT 2018
De Havilland Vampires of the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron at RIAT 2018. These Vampires are ex-Swiss Air Force examples comprising single seat FB.52 (export version of the FB.6) and a two seat T.55 trainer. The UK supplied a total of 36 Vampire FB.52s to Norway who operated them from 1949 to 1957, and six T.55s operated between 1952 to 1955.
Normally in Norwegian Air Force markings, they were painted in RAF markings for the 2018 season to commemorate the RAF centenary year, with the FB.52 as VZ305 (72 Sqn) and the T.55 as WZ447 (4 Sqn).
The twin-boom design, which de Havilland also used on the later Venom and Sea Vixen allowed for a short fuselage, and therefore a short jet pipe to minimise thrust loss owing to the relative low thrust of early turbojet engines. The Vampire was the first RAF fighter to exceed 500 mph in level flight.
Vampires RIAT 2018
De Havilland Vampires of the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron at RIAT 2018. These Vampires are ex-Swiss Air Force examples comprising single seat FB.52 (export version of the FB.6) and a two seat T.55 trainer. The UK supplied a total of 36 Vampire FB.52s to Norway who operated them from 1949 to 1957, and six T.55s operated between 1952 to 1955.
Normally in Norwegian Air Force markings, they were painted in RAF markings for the 2018 season to commemorate the RAF centenary year, with the FB.52 as VZ305 (72 Sqn) and the T.55 as WZ447 (4 Sqn).
The twin-boom design, which de Havilland also used on the later Venom and Sea Vixen allowed for a short fuselage, and therefore a short jet pipe to minimise thrust loss owing to the relative low thrust of early turbojet engines. The Vampire was the first RAF fighter to exceed 500 mph in level flight.