de Havilland Vampire T.11
de Havilland · UK · first flew 1950 · fighter
The T.11 is the side-by-side two-seat trainer Vampire, featuring a substantially widened fuselage nacelle to accommodate dual controls and two crew, making the central pod visibly wider than any single-seat mark.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Widened central nacelle accommodating a side-by-side two-seat cockpit — the nacelle pod is visibly broader than any single-seat Vampire
- Large flat-topped greenhouse-style canopy covering both seats, with a distinctive boxy cross-section
- Clipped wing tips (as FB.5) but no underwing weapons pylons — the combination of wide nacelle and clean wings marks the trainer
The wide nacelle is unmistakable: in head-on or three-quarter view the T.11 looks nearly twice as wide at the cockpit as an FB.5. The flat-topped boxy canopy contrasts with the rounded bubble of the FB.5. Twin booms are shared with all Vampires. Against the Venom T.55: the Venom's nacelle is more refined and incorporates a swept leading-edge root extension.
Specifications
- The de Havilland Vampire T.11 has a length of 10.55 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.58 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 882 km/h (548 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown 15 November 1950; 526 built for the RAF plus export as the T.55 to numerous nations. It replaced the Meteor T.7 in some training roles and served as the RAF's standard advanced jet trainer through the 1950s before the Jet Provost took over. The Swiss operated the type (as T.55) until 1990.
Variants
T.55 (export designation), DH.115 (manufacturer's designation). The Sea Vampire T.22 was the RN deck-landing trainer version.
Where you'll see it
RAF Flying Training Command 1952–1967, plus export to Switzerland, Australia, India, Lebanon, and others. Airworthy T.11s/T.55s maintained by Classic Air Force, Duxford, and private owners worldwide — among the most commonly seen airworthy jets at UK airshows.
Related aircraft
- de Havilland Comet
- de Havilland Sea Venom
- de Havilland Venom FB.1
- de Havilland Vampire FB.5
- Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF.11
- Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck
- FMA IAe 33 Pulqui II
- Gloster Meteor FR.9
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