de Havilland Sea Vampire

history

The Sea Vampire (DH100) was based the RAF’s Vampire and it became the first jet to be operated by the Royal Navy. Powered by the Goblin 2, engine giving 3,000lb of thrust, the Sea Vampire had a maximum speed of 526 mph and a range of 1,145 miles at 350mph. It could 4 x 20mm guns and was built in single seat and two seat versions.

lz551/g,

LZ551/G flew for the first time on the 6th June 1945 as a Vampire F.10. After modifications during the autumn of 1945 LZ551/G started landing trials on HMS Ocean and became the first jet in the World to land on a ship at sea on the 3rd December 1945. After the trials LZ551/G R returned to Farnborough in February 1946 for development trials on the experimental flexible "rubber" deck. During July 1946 LZ551/G was used for demonstration work on HMS Ocean before being sent to RNAS Ford for 778NAS in November 1946. In February 1957 LZ551/G was sent to RAE Farnborough for arrester barrier trials. Eventually sold to de Havilland at Hatfield LZ551/G was offered to the Mosquito Museum but the offer was turned down due to a lack of space so LZ551/G was passed on to the Science Museum. LZ551/G arrived at the Fleet Air Arm Museum on the 21st February 1994 on loan from the Science Museum. History courtesy of Planephotos.cu.uk