Vampire T35C

[JayBee]

This is my build for the SIG's Mini theme at SMW 2015.


In 1946 approval was given for the purchase of an initial 50 Vampire aircraft for the RAAF.
All 80 F.30 fighters and FB.31 fighter-bomber aircraft built in Australia by De Havilland Australia were to be powered by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation versions of the Nene engine manufactured under licence in Melbourne. The Nene required a greater intake cross-section than the Goblin, and the initial solution was to mount auxiliary intakes on top of the fuselage behind the canopy. Unfortunately these intakes led to elevator blanking on formation of shock waves, and three aircraft and pilots were lost in unrecoverable dives. One two seater was tested with aerodynamic representations of the "Elephant Ear" intakes and did not suffer from these problems. The different airflow pattern round the two-seat canopy made all the difference. However it was felt that for the training role the original Goblin engines would suffice.
All Nene-engined single seat aircraft were later modified to have the auxiliary intakes beneath the fuselage, thus avoiding the problem.
The final 23 aircraft of the order were completed as FB.31s with strengthened and clipped wings with underwing hardpoints. Single seat Vampires were retired from the RAAF in 1954.
The T.33 and later T.35 were used by the RAAF and these were manufactured or assembled at De Havilland Australia's facilities in Sydney.
Vampire trainer production in Australia amounted to 110 aircraft, and the initial order was filled by 35 T.33s for the RAAF, deliveries being made in 1952 with five T.34s for the RAN delivered in 1954. The trainers remained in service in the RAAF until 1970.
In the early 1960's it was decided to introduce jets into the training of Forward Air Controllers (FACs) and the Vampire T35 was the obvious choice, but it was felt that it may be a bit underpowered for this role, especially as the aircraft involved would be carrying external loads, and would if required have to carry out actual operational duties.
So the decision was made to convert a number of the lowest hours airframes to the Nene 102B of 5,000lbs thrust, compared to the Goblin of 3,500lbs thrust that they had been using.
The resulting aircraft used the top mounted auxiliary intakes and were known as       T-35C's.
They all had the four 20mm cannon, and the usual load was either two or four rocket pods, each holding four phosphorous marker rockets, these could be coloured white, red, or green.
Seven airframes were allocated for this program and they were given serial numbers in the previously unused block of Vampire serials, A79-120  - A79-150.
The T-35Cs operated in this role until 1970 when they were replaced by Macchi MB326s.
The aircraft is pictured here at RAAF Didyerbringabeeralong, in the foot hills of the Snowy Mountains south of Canberra.



























Build thread here
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,41363.0.html

Finally a very great deal of appreciation to the late Terry Pratchet for the name of the RAAF base.

[NARSES2]

Come out really well Jim

[Captain Canada]

Did it ever ! Love the camo. Looks like it could hide under a Caribou 

[Dizzyfugu]

Cool. Reminds me of Rhodesian Hunters?

[PR19_Kit]

The aircraft is pictured here at RAAF Didyerbringabeeralong, in the foot hills of the Snowy Mountains south of Canberra.

Finally a very great deal of appreciation to the late Terry Pratchet for the name of the RAAF base.

Hehehe, LOVE it! 

And the model's pretty darn good too! 

[The Rat]

Most excellent! (Yes, I did)

[nighthunter]

Now I want to do something similar with my hunter BLAST IT!

[Spey_Phantom]

wow, that is one hot looking vampire 

[zenrat]

Blessed are the big noses.


What a great build.  Well done.

[Mossie]

Nice little conversion Jim!

[Tophe]

I am glad to see a twin-boomer with kangaroo roundels, but why being so shy about them? low-vis?

[PR19_Kit]

Looks even better in the plastic than it does in the pics here, cracking job Jim. 

[trickyrich]

very nice, I loved the background info, and she certainly looks good in those colours!!