DE HAVILLAND VAMPIRE SPERRY 6A/3849 Mk3C ARTIFICIAL HORIZON

The first Australian built Vampire took to the skies in June 1949 and was soon followed by another 56 more F3 variants with swept back wings and underwing armament hard points.

By the end of the CAC’s production run in late 1954, over 190 aircraft had been produced with 110 of these being the T.33 two-seater trainer.

Like its single-seater brother, the two-seater Vampire DH.115 trainer cockpit pod was also constructed using moulded plywood with side-by-side seating and dual controls. It was a tight fit with student pilot and trainer sitting shoulder to shoulder. The benefit of the dual controls and side-by-side seating for pilot and instructor made the transition from turbo-prop to jet a lot easier. 

Piston-engine pilots doing a Vampire conversion needed to adjust to its turbojet and throttle control quirks. Anticipating power needs was essential as the Goblin engine took time to spool-up, and to avoid rapid throttle movements to prevent engine surge or a flame-out. 

The RAAF’s Vampire operations were conducted under the control of No 78 Wing comprising No 75 and 76 Squadrons with the Wing being sent to Malta in 1952 as part of the islands’s defences during the Arab Israeli tensions in the region. The Wing also took part in NATO exercises in Germany in 1954 which saw the end of single seater Vampire operations as the CAC were new well underway into production of the new CAC Sabre jet fighter.

The remaining two seater training variances continued at all the RAAF Operational Training Units across Australia until 1968 when they were replaced with the Macchi MB-326 jet trainer. Those operating with the RAN continued vampire operations until 1971.

This De Havilland Vampire Sperry 6/A3849 Mk3C Artificial Horizon Indicator is in remarkable condition and features the British Air Ministry ‘Broad Arrow’ marking on the outside dial of its face and a service stamp of April 1956 on its rear metal casing.

Installed at the top of the Vampire’s main flying panel, this De Havilland Vampire Recovery Curios Collectable, mounted in its 100yr old Mango Wood display stand with engraved plaque, fact sheet and highly detailed 1/72 or larger 1/48 scale custom built model of this iconic jet fighter, perched atop its removable magnetic arm, would make a fantastic gift for any aviation enthusiast.

This De Havilland Vampire Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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