Airfix de Havilland Vampire F.3 Royal Airforce Military Aviation Model Plastic Kit A06107

Price: $44.99 - $37.98
(as of Feb 14,2025 00:14:39 UTC – Details)

The de Havilland Mosquito, which had just entered Royal Air Force service at the end of 1941 was the inspiration for the designers to develop a jet engine that would power a new generation high-speed fighter aircraft. Frank Halford was given the task of developing a new engine. He was determined to make it simpler and less complex than his rival Frank Whittle’s engine. By April 1942, he had his engine ready for testing. The engine showed great promise, and produced the desired level of thrust. Now all that was left to do was see how it performed. De Havilland made a bold decision in producing their first jet as a single-engined design at a time when the technology of jet engines was in its infancy. These early engines were lacking in power, and also slow to respond to commands. This tiny new aircraft was originally designated de Havilland DH.100 Spider Crab, which was used as a codename to conceal the secretive nature of its development. The aircraft was built around the de Havilland Goblin 1 Turbojet and featured a short, egg-shaped central fuselage. It also had a unique, twin-boom configuration tail for control stability, which allowed engine thrust to be emitted directly from the center fuselage. This experimental aircraft was built from both wood and metal to relieve the aviation industry of wartime pressure. It is fascinating to note that most of the fuselage used the same laminated wooden construction as the company had perfected in Mosquito production. The de Havilland team that was working on this new jet was not able to complete the project because the Mosquito proved so successful in the war. This was probably a good thing for Britain. The first flight was further delayed by an incredible reason: the only working jet engine had to be sent to America in order to advance their own jet-powered project. Gloster Meteor development was slowed down by Mosquito priority, and a number of unforeseen delays. The Meteor became Britain’s first jet to enter service during WWII and the only Allied aircraft. The de Havilland DH.100 Spider Crab’ (LZ548/G) made its first flight on September 20th 1943. It was piloted by chief test pilot Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. The ‘G” used in the identification codes highlights the secretive nature of the project, and requires that the aircraft be guarded constantly while it is on the ground. The first flight, which lasted over 30 minutes and saw the aircraft reach 400mph, was a great success. However, the production version of the Vampire would not take off until April 1945, when it had already been given the name Vampire. The second jet fighter in Britain to enter service proved to be a classic, and is now considered one of the most successful jet aircraft of its time. Vampire F.Mk.I was introduced to the Royal Air Force in March 1946. Two years later, it was replaced by the improved and more capable F.3. The Vampire F.3 is a more powerful version of the predecessor with increased fuel capacity, and two external fuel tanks. The latest version also had a different look, with taller, more rounded vertical stabilizers, a lower horizontal stabiliser, and distinctive “acorn” fairings on each vertical stabiliser. De Havilland designed the aircraft so that it was easy to maintain and operate. This earned the aircraft a reputation of reliability with both air crews and ground crews. It also allowed more pilots to safely transition to jet powered flights. The Vampire is a name that has a lot of firsts. It was the first RAF jet to reach 500 mph. And the F.3’s extra range allowed it to be the very first jet fighter to cross Atlantic. No.32 Squadron Vampire F.3s were the first RAF jets to deploy outside Northwest Europe, and also the first to operate at the higher temperatures in the Mediterranean. Airfix has been the UK’s oldest manufacturer of scale-model plastic kits since 1952. Airfix produce a wide range of kits aimed at all types of scale modelers with subjects such as; military aircraft, ships, space, cars, dioramas and military vehicles
Primary Scheme: de Havilland D.H 100 Vampire F.3 No. 601 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Royal Air Force North Weald Essex England 1952. Secondary Scheme: de Havilland D.H. 100 Vampire F.3 no. The 442 “City of Vancouver” Auxiliary Fighter Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force at Station Vancouver in Canada, 1949. Third Scheme: de Havilland D.H. 100 Vampire F.3 AE-B P42408/AE.B, Gardermoen museum. Oslo, Norway, 2019.
Skill level: 2. Kit dimensions: 19.52 cm in length, 25 cm wide and 5.6 cm high. Total Pieces: 24. A great plastic model kit for the intermediate to the experienced modeler.
Painting and assembly required. Paints and glue need to be purchased separately.
Humbrol paints needed to complete the liveries are listed on the outside of the box.