DE HAVILLAND VAMPIRE — THE COMPLETE HISTORY
Prix régulier 70,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-10 | 0750912502 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( round back binding ) with a dust jacket |
| Condition |
NEW |
| Author(s) | David Watkins |
| Publisher | Sutton Publishing Limited |
| Number of pages | 272 |
| Published date | 1996 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 20 x 27 x 2 cm |
Description
The de Havilland Vampire was the second of the RAF’s first-generation post–Second World War jet fighters to enter service. This distinctive twin-boom aircraft began life as an interceptor but was soon reassigned to day fighter and ground-attack roles with the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany from 1948 to 1954, as well as with the RAF’s Middle and Far East Air Forces.
In addition to its operational service during the 1940s and 1950s, the Vampire also served with the Fleet Air Arm and became a major export success for the British aircraft industry, with hundreds of aircraft supplied to numerous foreign air forces worldwide. For a time in the early 1950s, it formed the backbone of the RAF’s night fighter force, and between 1952 and 1967 the Vampire Trainer played a key role in producing a steady stream of pilots for the RAF, Royal Navy, and allied air forces.
Throughout its 46-year career, the de Havilland Vampire achieved several notable milestones, including becoming the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic, the first jet aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier, and the first jet trainer on which student pilots qualified for their wings.
David Watkins’ history provides a comprehensive account of the aircraft’s development and operational use. It was written with the cooperation of the manufacturer, the Ministry of Defence, the RAF, and other international air forces, combining narrative, technical detail, and personal accounts from pilots and ground crews.
Extensive appendices list Vampire squadrons in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm, along with technical specifications, production data, serial numbers, and export information. The book is illustrated with a wide selection of photographs and line drawings, many previously unpublished, and offers a detailed and authoritative reference for historians and aviation enthusiasts alike.