de Havilland Vampire T.55 was the export version of the DH 115 trainer in RAF service known at the T.11. 216, six exported to Norway and in use from 1952 to 1955.

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de Havilland Vampire T.55 (LN-DHZ) was license built in Switzerland by F+W in Emmen in the year of 1959 as serial No 990, and was also their last of 20 new Swiss build two seaters. The aircraft was flown with the Swiss Air Force marked as Vampire  U-1230 until 1990. Sold on auction in 1991 to Don Wood Source Classic Flight Bournemouth.

 

The aircraft was purchased from Bournemouth UK in  2005 and is now operated by the Flyvåpnets Historiske Skvadron and based at Rygge Air Base near Oslo in southern Norway.

 

The aircraft is now in the Royal Norwegian Air Force markings to represent Vampire PX-M, a two – seater serving with 336 squadron in the early 50s, Norway’s first pure jet fighter squadron.

 

RNoAF 2-seater Vampires spent time with 336, 337 and 718 Sqn. RNoAF

 

No less than 804 two- seat T.11 were built for the RAF and for the Royal Navy, including well over 300 for export. Numerous others was built under license.

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Specifications Vampire T.55 

• Crew: 1

• Length: 30 ft 9 in (9.37 m)

• Wingspan: 38 ft (11.58 m)

• Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)

• Wing area: 262 ft² (24.34 m²)

• Empty weight: 7,283 lb (3,304 kg)

• Max. takeoff weight: 12,390 lb (5,620 kg)

• Powerplant: 1 × de Havilland Goblin 35 centrifugal turbojet, 3,500 lbf.

Performance

• Maximum speed: 548 mph (882 km/h)

• Range: 1,220 mi (1,960 km)

• Service ceiling: 42,800 ft (13,045 m)

• Rate of climb: 4,800 ft/min (24.4 m/s)

Armament

• Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Hispano Mk.V cannons

• Rockets: 8 × 3-inch "60 lb" rockets

• Bombs: or 2 × 500 lb (225 kg) bombs or two drop-tanks