null
Toggle menu
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Click for details)
Toggle menu
1-855-215-2914
Aviation Oil Outlet
Log In Create an Account Quote Request Credit Application Contact Us
View Cart Cart
loginLogin
Cart Cart

HOME OUR PRODUCTS OUR MISSION CUSTOMER SERVICE VIDEO BLOG
sun-n-fun logo
sun-n-fun countdown
Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet
  • Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
      • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
      • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Turbine Oil
    • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
    • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
    • Aviation Greases
  • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
      • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
    • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
      • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
    • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
      • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
      • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
      • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
    • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
    • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
      • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
      • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
      • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
  • Sanitary Products
  • Bookmark Our Site
  • Get Aviation Oil Outlet's FREE Web App
  • PayPal Resource Page
  • Credit Application
  • Shipping Information
  • Our Products
  • Our Mission
  • Customer Service
  • Video
  • Blog
  • Return Policy
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Quote Request
  • Terms and Conditions of Online Sales
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Shop By Brands
  • Login Create an Account
  • Blog
  • Site Map
The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
Back to Blog Homepage
Plane of the Week: de Havilland Vampire

Plane of the Week: de Havilland Vampire

By Sarah Simonovich on Jul 14th 2017

Not all vampires suck, you know.

Not all vampires can fly, either. In both American and European folklore, only some can. But Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Little Vampire, and The Lost Boys all could fly. So could this de Havilland Vampire. And fly it did.

Britain's Second Jet-Powered Aircraft Post-WWII

In 1941, the de Havilland Aircraft Company began exploring the concept of a fighter aircraft that utilized the revolutionary jet propulsion technology that was currently under development. Sir Henry Tizard of the Aeronautical Research Committee (ARC) informally made the suggestion.

De Havilland also needed to develop an appropriate engine. Aero-engine designer Frank Halford developed the engine, initially known as the Halford H.1. Halford based his work on Frank Whittle's centrifugal-flow designs, but he simplified it. The engine used a single-sided compressor with the inlet at the front and a "straight through" layout with the combustion chambers exhausting straight onto the turbine. This centrifugal engine was capable of generating 3,000 pounds of thrust. At the time, this was considered high.

The Halford H.1 was later known as the de Havilland Goblin.

While low power output of early jet engines limited aircraft designs to twin-engine designed for practicality, more powerful engines such as the de Havilland Goblin meant a single-engine jet fighter was now feasible.

The Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) expressed doubts regarding de Havilland's first design estimates. Designated the DH.99, it had an all-metal, twin-boom, tricycle undercarriage aircraft armed with four cannons. The rudder empennage was clear of interference from the exhaust. De Havilland estimated 455 mph speed at sea level and an initial climb of 4,590 feet/minute on 2,700 lb thrust.

The DH.99 underwent several modifications, including the addition of wood-and-metal construction, as recommended by MAP. The aircraft was renumbered DH.100.

MAP suggested de Havilland drop the experimental project in favor of a bomber, but de Havilland persisted. The Ministry authorized de Havilland to construct 2 prototypes in April 1942.

Design & Development

The first DH.100 prototype flew on September 20, 1943. An initial production order for 120 Vampire Mk I was placed on May 13, 1944. The order more than doubled to 300 in a short amount of time. The production Vampire Mk I did not fly for another year.

Production only churned out six aircraft by the end of WWII. Though the aircraft didn't see much combat in WWII, the project wasn't affected by post-war cuts. Both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy utilized the de Havilland Vampire (the navalized variant was dubbed the Sea Vampire).

The finalized vampire had a twin boom layout and the cockpit was seated in its centralized nacelle with the engine. The booms extended from mid-chord on the monoplane wings and each boom had a small-area vertical tail fin. It had no radar, only manually-operated flight controls, a simple airframe, and mostly only used conventional practices and technologies.

Initially, the de Havilland Vampire was just a fighter. However, it was eventually also given strike duties. Its armaments included four Hispano Mk.V autocannons, each which could hold 150 rounds. It was also capable of carrying up to 2,000 pounds of optional ordnance, such as 8 × 3-inch "60 lb." rockets or 2 × 500 lb. bombs (or two drop-tanks).

Today, over 80 Vampires remain airworthy, although only a small number are still flying (much like in vampire lore today).




Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Vampire 
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=223
  • #Plane Of The Week
  • #Aeronautical Research Committee
  • #bram stoker
  • #de havilland
  • #de Havilland Goblin
  • #DH.100
  • #DH.99
  • #dracula
  • #fighter aircraft
  • #Frank Halford
  • #jet engines
  • #jet-powered aircraft
  • #Sea vampire
  • #twin boom
  • #vampire
  • #Vampire Mk I
  • #vampires
  • #WWII
  • #sarah simonovich

You might also be interested in:


Newsletter | May 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on May 5th 2022

Another Year in the Books! Sun 'N Fun 22 Edition
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | April 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Apr 8th 2022

AeroShell Aviation Grease Grease 5 amber colored, high temperature grease composed of a…
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | March 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Mar 4th 2022

Recommendations for Infrequently Flown Aircraft Ideally, aircraft engines should be use…
monthly newsletter
!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

aoo logo
Aviation Oil Outlet
454 South Main Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
United States of America

1-855-215-2914

Information

  • About Us
  • Brands
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Information
  • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
  • Terms of Use
  • Video Library

Customer Service

  • Contact
  • Credit Application
  • Quote Request
  • Returns
  • Sitemap

Account

  • Account
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Order History

© 2022 Aviation Oil Outlet

payment method icons Bizrate
​