Flyhistorisk Museum Sola · Military aircraft
DeHavilland DH. 115 Vampire T Mk. 55
The Vampire prototype first flew in 1943. Like many de Havilland aircraft, the Mosquito among them, the Vampire was built of a plywood-and-balsa laminate. It handled exceptionally well. The Vampire became the first jet in many air forces, including Norway's; the first new Vampire fighters arrived in Norway in 1948. The jet training wing, later 718 Squadron, was formed at Sola in 1952 with a total of 14 two-seat Vampire trainers. Vampires were based at Gardermoen, Sola, Værnes and Bardufoss until 1954, when the type was phased out. The museum's Vampire is a Swiss machine, built under licence in Switzerland, which kept the Vampire in service longer than any other country. The museum bought it at auction, and two Swiss fighter pilots flew it to Sola.
