The De Havilland DH.100 Vampire was the second British jet fighter after the Gloster Meteor. The prototype was first flown in September 1943, but it entered service only after the end of World War II. Several versions were produced, of which the most important was the Vampire FB.5, produced in 888 examples from 1948, adapted for ground attack missions.
The FB.5 and related FB.50 variant were exported to New Zealand, South Africa, France, India, Finland, Iraq and other countries. Switzerland undertook licensed production of the next version, the FB.6, at the F+W plant in Emmen. It was the first jet aircraft in Swiss Air Force service. Vampires were also produced under licence in Australia, in France as the Mistral, and in India.
The Vampire was one of the most widespread combat aircraft in the world during the early jet era and the first in a series of twin-boom de Havilland fighters – followed by the Venom and Sea Vixen.
The museum specimen was produced under licence in Switzerland and belonged to the Swiss Air Force.
| Wingspan | 11.58 m |
| Length | 9.37 m |
| Takeoff weight | 5620 kg |
| Maximum speed | 882 km/h |
| Ceiling | 13720 m |
| Range | 1842 km |
| Armament | 4 cannons cal. 20 mm, 8 unguided rockets and 2 bombs of 227 kg or 454 kg under wings or additional fuel tanks |
| Engine | turbojet de Havilland Goblin 3 with 14.9 kN (1520 kG) thrust |
