DH Vampire T.11 (WZ518)
NAHR category - Noteworthy
Aircraft History
The Vampire began as an experimental aircraft under specification E.6/41. Design work on the DH-100 began at the de Havilland works at Hatfield in mid-1942. Originally named the "Spider Crab," the aircraft was entirely a de Havilland project, exploiting the company's extensive experience in using moulded plywood for aircraft construction, as used in the Mosquito bomber. It was the last time composite wood and metal construction was used in high performance military aircraft. It had conventional straight mid-wings and a single jet engine placed in an egg-shaped, aluminium-surfaced fuselage exhausting in a straight line. To reduce the losses caused by a long jetpipe the designers used the distinctive tail with twin booms
Geoffrey de Havilland Jr, the de Havilland chief test pilot and son of the company's president, test flew prototype LZ548/G on its maiden flight from Hatfield on 20th September 1943. The production Vampire Mk I did not fly until April 1945 and mostly built by English Electric Aircraft due to the pressures on de Havilland's production facilities - busy with other types. Although eagerly taken into service by the RAF, it was still being developed at war's end, consequently the Vampire never saw combat in the Second World War. A total of 3,269 Vampires were built in the UK, and about 1,100 in other countries. There were 15 versions, the final version being the T.11 trainer. First flown in 1950, over 600 were produced in both air force and naval models. The trainer remained in service with the RAF until 1966.
WZ518 History
WZ518 was built at Hawarden and delivered to 14 Squadron in March 1953 serving as a continuation trainer and hack. In September 1955 it was transferred to 2TAF communications flight and then onto Oldenburg station flight. It returned to the UK to serve with 5FTS at Oakington (coded '37') until 30th October 1967 when it was sold to HS Aviation and stored at Hawarden then later at Woodford (1971/72). The Stockport Aircraft Preservation Society (SAPS) bought the aircraft from BAPC for a token payment and was delivered to Pomona Dock in Manchester in 1974. An error by HS Aviation meant the fuselage and booms were mixed up with the wings of WZ608 (which it still wears today). NEVVAA (now NEAM) purchased the aircraft when SAPS put it up for disposal in 1975. It was delivered to Lambton Pleasure Park on 11th October 1975 and subsequently moved to Usworth. WZ518 is one of the oldest surviving two seat Vampire aircraft.
WZ518 fully restored and undercover at NEAM Jan-08
WZ518 on display outside Credit : Malcolm Clarke