1/72 D.H.100 Vampire Mk.3

Description

This is an injection-plastic jet aircraft model kit.

This kit contains parts molded in grey and clear plastic and includes markings.

From the manufacturer:

Development of the jet fighter later to be named the Vampire began in 1941 and was related closely to the development of the H-1 jet engine, for which the engine section of the de Havilland company was responsible. The engine was known later under its new name, Goblin, and its development was very successful. The Vampire was therefore ordered under Air Ministry specification E6/41 for an experimental machine able to be converted to a fighter plane. The design of the plane was fully adjusted to the new engine, which resulted in overall tiny dimensions of the new plane, very low undercarriage, and the tail planes being carried by two slim tail booms.

The first prototype, unofficially named the Spider Crab, flew for the first time on September 20, 1943 with G. de Havilland Jr at the controls. The trials were a success and an order for the first 120 planes was placed in May 1944 and was continuously increased. The production places were license- built by English Electric since de Havilland was busy producing Mosquitoes. The original name Spider Crab was rejected by the RAF and changed to Vampire Mk.I.