The de Havilland Vampire was built to a 1941 requirement for a jet interceptor, issued against a fear that Germany would develop jet bombers. It first flew in September 1943, and entered frontline service in 1946 with the Royal Air Force (RAF). Initially short-ranged, it was the fastest aircraft ever built at that time, with a top speed of 540mph (870km/h). In 1948 a formation of Vampires became the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic. Its diminutive look led to
DE HAVILLAND VAMPIRE
Nov 23, 2023
3 minutes
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