Canadian Warplanes 6: de Havilland DH.100 Vampire

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire, RCAF

(DND Photo)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17078), No. 438 (Fighter) "City of Montreal" Squadron (Auxiliary), Montreal, Quebec. RAF (Serial No. VP779) assigned but never applied. With No. 438 (Aux) Sqn, St. Hubert, QC. Coded "BQ" on booms, and "078" on nose. While assigned to 1 (F) OTU, on 9 August 1949, the airframe suffered "B" Category damage after being belly landed at St Hubert, QC when a student pilot forgot to lower the u/c. More category "B" damage at Trenton on 22 January 1953. Struck off and sold to Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, Wisconsin and onto US civil register as N6867D. To Mexican AF in February 1962, serial FAM-6. Withdrawn from use in 1970.

The de Havilland Vampire is a British jet fighter developed and manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company.  It had the distinction of being the second jet fighter to be operated by the RAF, after the Gloster Meteor, and the first to be powered by a single jet engine. In 1946, a single Vampire F.1 began operating on an evaluation basis in Canada at the Winter Experimental Establishment in Edmonton, Alberta.  The Vampire F.3 was selected as one of two types of operational fighters for the RCAF and was first flown in Canada on 17 January 1948 where it went into service as a Central Flying School training aircraft at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.  Operating a total of 86 aircraft, the Vampire F.3 became the first jet fighter to enter RCAF service in any significant numbers.

The Vampire had the function of introducing Canadian fighter pilots not only to jet propulsion, but also to other amenities such as cockpit pressurisation and the tricycle landing gear arrangement.  It proved to be a popular aircraft, being easy to fly and regarded by some pilots as "hot rod."   In Canadian service, the Vampire served in both operational and air reserve units (400, 401, 402, 411, 438 and 442 squadrons).  During the late 1950s, the type was retired and was replaced in RCAF service by the Canadair CL-13 Sabre.  (Wikipedia)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. I (1), (Serial No. TG372), Mk. 3 (85), (Serial Nos. 17001-17042, 17044-17086), for a total of 86 aircraft.

RCAF On Strength (87), RCAF 400 Squadron (4), Canadian Aircraft Losses (27). Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian aviation losses may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The CASPIR website is researched, coded, maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here.

(No. 438 Squadron RCAF Photo via Francois Dutil)

Stepping into the jet age, Monday 7 June 1948 at RCAF Station St. Hubert. Veteran pilots of No. 401 and No. 438 (Aux) Fighter Squadrons having their first look at their new mount, the de Havilland DH.100 Vampire. Left to right are: F/O Jacques Hurtubise, P/O Bob McFetridge, F/L Guy Hackett (in cockpit), W/C Francis Grant DSO, DFC, P/O Jean Pérodeau, F/O Wendell Reid MID, DFC(US), F/L Rod Smith DFC & bar, F/L Pierre Lecoq.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584168)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF, 11 Dec 1948.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584138)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial 17007), RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, ca. 1948. RAF (Serial No. VP680) assigned but never applied. Operated by the Winter Experimental Establishment in 1948, coded "FB-R". On 4 May 1948, the a/c had Cat "D" damage. Whilepracticing for the Air Force Day display, the pilot lost control during aerobatics at 22,000 ft and thea/c started a series of flick rolls and then entered an inverted spin. Unable to recover, the pilot waspreparing abandon the a/c and jettisoned the canopy. He was, however, then able to recover fromthe spin at 7,000 ft and landed without further incident. On 27 May 1948, the a/c suffered veryminor damage while on take-off for a test flight for a radio compass installation when the pilotinadvertently allowed the a/c to settle back down onto the runway after gear retraction. With No.410 (F) Sqn at RCAF Stn St. Hubert, QC in 1949, when it carried special markings as part of theBlue Devils display team. With No. 411 Sqn, Downsview, Ontario, 1951 to 1955. Also with CentralExperimental and Proving Establishment, dates not known. To US register when Struck off and sold to Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, Wisconsin, as N6880D.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3643761)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mj. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17007), RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, 20 Dec 1950.  Operated by the Winter Experimental Establishment in 1948, coded FB-R.  With No. 410 (F) Squadron at RCAF Station St. Hubert, PQ in 1949, when it carried special markings as part of the Blue Devils display team.  With No. 411 Squadron, Downsview, Ontario, 1951 to 1955.  Also with Central Experimental and Proving Establishment, dates not known.

(DND Photo)

Three de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3 in formation, from No. 410 Squadron, St. Hubert, Quebec, ca Dec 1949.  From May 1949 to August 1951, the Blue Devils aerobatics team formed, to demonstrate the abilities of the then new Vampire aircraft at formation flying. (DND Photo).

The four demo pilots were F/Ls Joe Schultz, Don Laubman, Omer Levesque and F/O Mike Doyle.  F/L Laubman would rise to the rank of LGen, and F/L Levesque, who was the first to down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in the Second World War, would achieve another distinction as the first RCAF pilot to down a Mig-15 in Korea while on exchange with the USAF.

(RCAF Photo via Kevin Anderson)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. III, (Serial No. 17012), coded GJ-N, RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick, c1949.

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17012), coded GJ-N, No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick.  Also with No. 442 Squadron (Auxiliary) at RCAF Station Sea Island, British Columbia. RAF (Serial No. VP685) assigned, but never applied. Used by CFS in Trenton, ON. On 24 Apr 1950, the canopy blew off shortly after take-off. The ensuinginvestigation found the canopy jettison mechanism to be in the "jettison" position but this condition could not have been executed by the pilot. A safety modification was subsequently developed. On 16 Aug 1950, the a/c experienced Cat "C" damage to the port wing during a formation aerobatic practice as the No #2 a/c when two large birds smashed through the leading edge of the wing. Then with No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Stn Chatham, NB. Also served with No. 442 (Aux) Sqn at RCAF Stn Sea Island, BC. Marked with bat's head on front fuselage. Sold to US register as N6882D. Reported to have been stored outdoors at Vancouver airport for several years with US registration marked. Made airworthy in 1960, then flown to new owner, Fliteways Inc., in West Bend, Wisconsin. To Mexican AF in February 1962, serial FAM-13. A different airframe (actually RCAF 17058) displaying this RCAF serial now on display at the Canadian Museum Of Flight at Langley, BC. Still on site in partially covered outdoor display in 2019.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17018).  With No. 401 Squadron and No. 402 Squadron at RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec, 1948 to 1957. RAF (Serial No. VP691) assigned but never applied. Ferried to No. 10 Repair Depot at Calgary on 26 July 1948, one of first two Vampires delivered there. With No. 402 Sqn as of 5 Jul 1949 and then to No. 401 Sqn at RCAF Stn St. Hubert, QC as 21 Mar 1951. Later served with 442 (F) Sqn and received "bat" markings. Struck off and sold to US civil register as N6881D, registered to Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, Wisconsin, 1957-1958. Sold to Dave White, of Carpenteria, California, 1963. To William H. Boyce, of Pomona, California, 1966. Stored, derelict, at Santa Barbara, California, 1966. To Roland G. Holmes Company, of Long Beach, California, 1969. To Ed Maloney/The Air Museum, Chino, California, 1977-1992. Believed to be stored at the museum, disassembled, for many years. On display at Valle, Arizona by 2005. Also reported as registered as N69RF, not confirmed. Can be seen on Google Maps in outdoor storage at Planes of Fame restoration facility in Valle, Arizona, in 2023, no registration marked.

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. III (Serial No. 17021), Central Flying School, RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario. RAF (Serial No. VP694) assigned but never applied. With 438 (F) Squadron at RCAF Station St. Hubert, QC. Coded "AC-T" with 402 Sqn in 1949. Next assigned to FIS Trenton on 22 Jul 1952. Back to St Hubert, QC on 25 Jun 1954. Struck off and sold to Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, Wisconsin and on US register as N6864D in 1958. To Poelman Aircraft Co. Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1964-1970. US registration dropped 25 Jun 1970.

(RCAF Photo)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17021), coded GO.  With No. 438 (F) Squadron at RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec.

(RCAF Photo)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17021), RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick.  With No. 438 (F) Squadron at RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584697)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17042), coded FB-U, 14 Aug 1952.   With No. 411 (Aux) Squadron, RCAF Station Downsview, Ontario, early/mid 1950s. RAF (Serial No. VP731) assigned but never applied. Coded "FB-U" with CEPE circa 1949/50. With No. 411 (Aux) Sqn, RCAF Stn Downsview, Ontario, early / mid 1950s. Registered as VC-ANT, marked as "AN-T" on front fuselage.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584724)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17042), coded FB-U, runway overshoot, 25 Sep 1952.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584696)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, (Serial No. 17042), coded FB-11, 14 Aug 1952.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584697)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, (Serial No. 17042), coded FB-11, 14 Aug 1952.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584725)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17042), coded FB-U, runway overshoot, 25 Sep 1952.

(RCAF Photo)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17057).  Operated by No. 411 (Aux) Squadron or No. 400 (Aux) Squadron, RCAF Station Downsview, Ontario, in early/mid 1950s. RAF (Serial No. VP731) assigned but never applied. Coded "FB-U" with CEPE circa 1949/50. With No. 411 (Aux) Sqn, RCAF Stn Downsview, ON, early / mid 1950s. Registered as VC-ANT, marked as "AN-T" on front fuselage.

(DND Photo)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. III formation, RCAF (Serial Nos. 17002, 17078, 17065, 17067), No. 438 (Fighter)"City of Montreal" Squadron (Auxiliary), Montreal, Quebec.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17067), No. 411 "County of York" Squadron (Auxiliary), Toronto, Ontario. RAF (Serial No. VP768) assigned but never applied. With No. 410 (F) Squadron at RCAF Stn St.Hubert, QC, flew with this unit's Blue Devils display team in 1949; coded "AM-L". On 27 February1949, the aircraft suffered an engine failure while enroute to Toronto and was force landed atDownsview. Suffered a blown canopy on 16 June 1949. On 28 August 1949, the port tire blew ontake-off damaging the u/c and the aircraft suffered Cat "B" damage when it was landed wheels upon the grass beside the runway. With No. 441 (F) Sqn at RCAF Stn St. Hubert, QC, circa 1951.Coded "BT-O". With No. 438 (Aux) Sqn, St. Hubert, PQ. Coded "BQ" on booms, and "067" on nose. With 441 and No. 410 Sqns, St. Hubert, QC, circa 1951. Then with 400 Sqn, Downsview, ON, circa 1951 to 1955, No. 411 (Aux) Sqn, RCAF Stn Downsview, ON., early / mid 1950s. On 20 Apr 1952, on take-off the pilot allowed the a/c to settle back down onto the runway after retracting the gear damaging both drop tanks. The tanks subsequently both detached unexpectedly while in flight severely damaging the wing. Struck off and sold to Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, Wisconsin and on US civil register as N6879D. To Mexican AF in February 1962, serial FAM-7. Withdrawn from use in 1970, reportedly after a flying accident.

(DND Photo)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17074), No. 442 (Fighter) "City of Vancouver" Squadron (Auxiliary), Sea Island, Vancouver, British Columbia. RAF (Serial No. VP775) assigned but never applied. Assigned to No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Stn St. Hubert, PQ, until 1949. Then with 421 (F) Sqn Chatham, NB until 1953. On 16 Oct 1950, the a/c suffered an engine failure on take-off and suffered Cat "B" damage during the abort. Flying Officer Hanna survived. With No. 442 Sqn, Sea Island, BC, in 1956, coded "BU-X". Reserved for display purposes when fleet was retired in late 1956. Ferried from Vancouver to storage at Lethbridge by 442 Squadron CO W/C D. Cameron on 6 December 1956, probably last RCAF Vampire flight. Transferred to National Aeronautical Collection, which later became the Canada Aviation and Space Museum; technically still on Canadian Forces books today.

(DND Photo)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17074), No. 442 (Fighter) "City of Vancouver" Squadron (Auxiliary), Sea Island, Vancouver, British Columbia.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3 (Serial No. 17074) No. 442 (Fighter) "City of Vancouver" Squadron (Auxiliary), Sea Island, Vancouver, British Columbia.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3 (Serial No. 17076), coded BU-W, in RCAF service.  With No. 410 (F)Squadron, RCAF Station St. Hubert, PQ, 1948 to 1951.  Flew with this unit's Blue Devils display team in 1949.With No. 411 (Aux) Squadron, RCAF Station Downsview Ontario.  Forced landed on road short of Downsview runway by F/O P. Hayes, on 12 April 1954.  Little damage, Category B.  With No. 442 Squadron, Sea Island, BC, to c.1955.

RAF (Serial No. VP777) assigned but never applied. With 410 (F) Squadron, RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec, 1948 to 1951. Flew with this unit's Blue Devils display team in 1949. With 411 (Aux) Squadron, RCAF Station Downsview Ontario. Forced landed on road short of Downsview runway by Flying Officer P. Hayes, on 12 Apr 1954 with Cat."B" damage. With No. 442 Squadron, Sea Island, BC, to c.1955., coded "BU-V". Carried Squadron bat's head markings on nose while marked as "BU-V". With 438 (F) Squadron (Auxiliary) when it crashed on 6 November 1955.Three Vampires of 438 City of Montreal (Auxiliary) Squadron were returning to St Hubert on Sunday, 6 November 1955, from two days of training at RCAF Trenton. On final approach to St. Hubert, Flying Officer Gerald P. Marshall's Vampire, 17076 (BQ-076), ploughed into a field three miles east of St. Hubert and caught fire. Flying Officer Marshall (27) died in the crash.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial Nos. 17067, 17019 and 17007).

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584139)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3 cockpit.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584140).

RAF Vampires on loan to the RCAF in the UK.

(Author Photo)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. I (Serial No. TG372).

Vampire Mk. I (Serial No. TG372). TG372 was shipped to Canada in 1946 and used for extensive cold weather trials at the Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE) in Edmonton and Watson Lake between November 1946 and October 1949. First flight in Canada on 1 January 1947, by Squadron Leader S. Baudoux, from Edmonton or Namao, Alberta. The aircraft was initially preserved at the Ontario Science Centre and then transferred to the National Aeronautical Collection in 1968. It is currently in storage, disassembled, in the Reserve Hangar of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. It is still technically on strength with the RCAF.

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

Arming an RCAF 421 Squadron Vampire at RAF Odiham, England.

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ225). Loaned to 421 (F) Squadron, RCAF in 1951, at RAF Odiham in the UK. The squadron was training in the UK prior to receiving Canadair Sabres and taking them to France. Carried RCAF style roundels, but remained on RAF books.

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ240).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ261).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ262).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ264).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ268).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ277).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire F.B.5, RAF (Serial No. VZ278), loaned to RCAF No. 421 Squadron for transition training in the UK, ca 1948.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire F.B.5, RAF (Serial No. VZ278), loaned to RCAF No. 421 Squadron for transition training in the UK, ca 1948.

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ278).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ280).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ284).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ306).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ329).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ336).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire F.B.5, RAF (Serial No. VZ339), (Serial No. VZ261), (Serial No. VZ343), and (Serial No. VZ264), loaned to RCAF No. 421 Squadron for transition training at RAF Odiham in the UK, c1951.

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ339).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. VZ343).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. WA176).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. WA207).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. WA215).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. WA220).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. WA225).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. WA228).

Vampire F.B.5 (Serial No. WA411).

de Havilland DH.100 Vampires preserved in Canada.

(Cpl Nathan Spence, DND Photo)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17031), N41J, 442 Squadron.  CFB Comox Air Force Museum, 19 Wing, British Columbia. CFB Comox 19 Wing acquired the Vampire in 2000 from ­American Bill Lamberton, where it was traded for a surplus Tutor aircraft. The Vampires from the first production run were primarily assigned to auxiliary squadrons for training purposes, including 442 City of Vancouver Auxiliary Fighter Squadron, stationed on Sea Island, and now the site of Vancouver International ­Airport. The jets could reach a top speed of 540 miles per hour at 20,000 feet with a rate of climb of 4,700 feet per minute. It was armed with four 20mm cannons in the nose of the aircraft.

(CAFM Photo, Rowe Collection)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17031), No. 442 Squadron, under a USAF Douglas C-124 Globemaster, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1953.

(Author Photos)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17058), RAF (Serial No. VP747) assigned but never applied, c/n EEP42376, built in 1949,  Reg. No. N6860D.  This aircraft was flown by No. 421 Squadron, RCAF and No. 400 Squadron, RCAF.  It came to the CMF in 1983, and is painted to represent RCAF (Serial No. 17012) of No. 442 (Auxiliary) Squadron.  Canadian Museum of Flight, Langley Regional Airport, British Columbia.

With No. 421 (F) Sqn at RCAF Stn Chatham , NB c1950. Suffered an engine failure necessitating a Cat B wheels up landing in Chatham on 28 Feb 1950. Operated by No. 411 (Aux) Sqn or No. 400 (Aux) Sqn, RCAF Stn Downsview, ON, in early/mid 1950s. Sold to US register as N6860D, to Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, Wisconsin, on 4 March 1958. Later owners included George Arnold of Indiana, 1966 to 1969. To Calgary Air Museum, Calgary, Alberta, Circa 1968, dismantled. To Don Campbell, of Kapusking, Ontario, 1970-1982. Stored, dismantled. To Canadian Museum Of Flight & Transportation, Langley, BC, 19 September 1982. Arrived dismantled. Restored to static condition in 1986 and on display by 1992. Now with bat's head markings on front fuselage. Marked as 17017 by 2010.

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Daniel Photo)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17069), ex 6877D, parts.  Calgary, The Hangar Flight Museum, 4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary, Alberta. RAF (Serial No. VP770) assigned but never applied. Operated by No. 411 (Aux) Sqn or No. 400 (Aux) Sqn, RCAF Stn Downsview, Ontario, in early / mid 1950s. Also based at Bagotville, QC on 19 Jul 1951 but unit not confirmed; probably 413 Sqn. Struck off and sold to Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, Wisconsin. Registered as N6877D on 4 March 1958. To Ken Cook Publishing Co, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1963. Purchased in 1964 by ex-403 Sqn pilot Mr. Justice A. Milton Harradence of Calgary, AB, registered as CF-RLK. Operated by Confederate Air Force, South Alberta Division 1964-65 in civil markings "178". Donated to the Centennial Planetarium, Calgary, Alberta, 1972-1988, for display. Displayed from 1988 in the Aero Space Museum of Calgary. Displayed outside until at least 1992. As of 2024 displayed indoors at The Hangar Museum, Calgary AB in its original markings.

(Author Photo)

de Havilland Australia DH.100 Vampire Mk. T.35, (Serial No. 4179), RAAF A79-675, N11933.  Privately owned pending sale.  Edmonton, Alberta Aviation Museum, Edmonton Aviation Heritage Centre, 11410 Kingsway NW Edmonton, Alberta.

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Aldo Bidini Photo)

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB.6 (Serial No. 21275), coded AA-P.  Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario.

The CWH Museum’s de Havilland Vampire FB.6 was built under licence in 1960, by the Swiss Federal Aircraft Factory and was one of the last Vampires ever built.  It was acquired from the Swiss Air Force, when it was retired in 1995. The aircraft displays the markings of a Vampire Mk. 3, which flew with RCAF No. 400 "City of Toronto" (Auxiliary) Squadron, based at Downsview in the 1950s.

(Author Photo)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17074).  Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.  17074 flew with No. 442 (Fighter) "City of Vancouver" Squadron (Auxiliary), Sea Island, Vancouver, British Columbia.

(Alain Rioux Photo)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire Mk. 3, RCAF (Serial No. 17074).  Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario. 17074 was taken outside the museum for the Canada day celebrations on 1 July 1994. This aircraft has been part of the National Aviation Museum/CASM since 1964.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3224409)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire F.3I, RAF (Serial No. VT869), coded A, No. 54 Squadron, RAF, taking part in the first transatlantic flight by jet aircraft, 15 July 1948.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3224405)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire F.3I, RAF (Serial No. VT863), coded O, No. 54 Squadron, RAF, taking part in the first transatlantic flight by jet aircraft, 15 July 1948.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3224400)

de Havilland DH 100 Vampire F.3, RAF (Serial No. VT868), No. 54 Squadron, RAF, taking part in the first transatlantic flight by jet aircraft, 15 July 1948.

First transatlantic flight by jet aircraft. (Chris Charland, Associate Royal Canadian Air Force Historian)

It started out as a simple letter sent by the United States Air Force to the Royal Air Force's Chief of the Air Staff. The Americans were inquiring about the possibility of the R.A.F. sending a jet fighter squadron for the annual goodwill visit to the United States. The straightforward request began to to raise a number of logistical and financial concerns. The original idea was to transport the aircraft to a dock in England, then ship by sea to the United States, where they would be then reassembled prior to going on tour. Instead, the more challenging decision to fly the aircraft across the Atlantic was made.

As a means of deciding which squadron would make the tour, an aerobatic team competition was held between the three de Havilland Vampire F.1 equipped squadrons (No.'s 54, 72 and 247) that made up the fighter wing at R.A.F. Station Odiham, Hampshire. No. 54 (F) Squadron's team commanded by Squadron Leader R. W. 'Bobby' Oxspring D.F.C. and two Bars, were the triumphant victors. They received six brand new and more capable Vampire F.3's to be used for the epic adventure. The support aircraft would be three de Havilland Mosquitos. The aircraft known as the 'Wooden Wonder', would accompany the Vampires, providing navigational aid and weather reports. Three Avro Yorks from Transport Command were to carry the ground crew and spare parts needed to ensure the Vampires remained serviceable.

The Vampires departed on the 1st of July 1948, The routing would take them to Stornoway Scotland; Keflavik, Iceland; Bluie West 1, Greenland and finally to Goose Bay. Due to periods of terrible weather along the route, the Vampires did not get to Goose until the 14th of July. They left for their Canadian part of the trip on the 16th. The highly successful American tour started on the 25th. The Vampires and support aircraft arrived back to Goose by way of R.C.A.F. Station Trenton, Ontario and departed back across the unforgiving North Atlantic on the 17th of August. The Vampire pilots took their time getting back to Odiham, with stops along the way for a few days at a time.

The trip to North America was a world record setter. The British had beaten the Americans who were flying Lockheed F-80's for the bragging rights of the first jet crossing across the Atlantic.

It must be noted that the personnel of RCAF Station Goose Bay and members of the Department of Transport, played an important role in support of this record-breaking flight.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3224406)

de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito PR Mk. 34 (Serial No. PF623) providing navigational support for the first transatlantic jet flight by a de Havilland DH.100 Vampire aircraft of No. 54 Squadron, RAF, 15 July 1948.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3224396)

The Vampires were escorted by three Avro York aircraft of No. 24 Squadron, RAF, supporting the first transatlantic jet flight by aircraft of No.54 Squadron, RAF, July 1948.