RNoAF DE HAVILLAND DH 100 VAMPIRE F.B Mk.52
TYPE: One seated jet Fighter-bomber
AMOUNT IN NORWEGIAN SERVICE: 36
ARMAMENT
4x 20mm Hispano cannons
8x rockets
2x 250kg bombs
drop tanks 450L
TECHNICAL DATA
Wingspan: 12.2m
Length: 9.4m
Eigne: De havilland Goblin 3, thrust-1.522 kg
Top speed: 880 Km/h
Range: 2.225km with 2 drop tanks
time in service, serial numbers and fate
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SERIAL NUMBERS - times in service and fates
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HISTORY
FB. The Mk.52 was the fighter-bomber version of the Vampire. The wings had been strengthened, mainly by increasing the thickness of the wing skin. Suspensions for rockets were also fitted under the wings, between the tail booms and the body, and it was possible to replace the drop tanks with bombs by changing the suspension brackets. In total, the planes could therefore carry 4 20mm cannons with ammunition, 8 rockets, each weighing 30kg, and two 250kg bombs or 2,450 liter fuel tanks.
Originally, it was intended to form two new squadrons, 337 and 338, and equip them with FBs. Mk.52, while 336 was to continue with the F. Mk.III. The squadrons were organized according to the English pattern with 12 aircraft per squadron. Norway’s entry into NATO in April 1949 changed this. Now the Air Force was organized according to the American pattern with 25 aircraft per squadron, and the first Mk.52 aircraft that arrived in the country therefore went to 336 squadron. to provide it with a sufficient number of aircraft. It turned out that 336 was to have a total of 28 machines and 337 the same. Delivery of the Mk.52 took time due to high demand for these aircraft. The first three arrived in Norway on 10 December 1949 and were taken over by the air force a few days later. The rest of the aircraft for 336 Squadron were delivered within 6 months. All were delivered marked with a B, which became Vampire’s flight code, as well as the plane’s two-letter code.
337 squadron was established at Gardermoen on 22 May 1950. The squadron was without aircraft at first, but at the beginning of June 6 aircraft arrived. In the beginning, 336 and 337 Squadron were closest and regarded as a department, and the cooperation was close. NATO membership led to a return from the turn of the year 1950-51 to the old squadron marking system where the squadron was identified with a two-letter code. Each aircraft was given a unique identification letter, and in case of re-use of the letter, the aircraft’s build number would provide a complete identification. 336 squadron now got PX as its squadron code, 337 got ZK. The planes were still marked B on delivery, but this was changed shortly after receipt. The fighter-bombers were also unlike the fighters, which were painted silver, painted dark green on the upper side and PRU Blue on the underside.
A group of Vampires was stationed at Bardufoss, probably in April 1951, and both squadrons shared this task until December 1952. then 337 Squadron took over the task alone because 336 Squadron was to convert to Thunderjet.
Both 336 and 337 Squadron participated in a number of exercises at home and abroad during these years, together and separately. This was also a period characterized by many accidents and breakdowns, sometimes with tragic outcomes. in February 1953, the last 8 Mk.52s from 336 squadron were transferred to 337. now there were not enough letters available for the aircraft in 337 squadron, and the aircraft were marked SI-A to SI-F. in April 1953, 337 squadron was transferred to Værnes, eventually the squadron took over all Vampires in Norway
From New Year 1954, the aircraft with SI code were re-marked with ZK, with the exception of SI-F, which was on Lista. From 1 January 1955, 337 Squadron became a storage unit which only provided for the maintenance of the aircraft. Attempts were made to sell them until 1 January 1955, without success. in the end they were all butchered at Værnes. Today only ZK-U is back. It is now on display at the Aviation Museum in Bodø
PICTRUES
Spoiler
SOURCES
Spoiler
https://www.adlibris.com/no/bok/norske-militarfly-9788271286873?
https://www.norli.no/boker/dokumentar-og-fakta/historie-og-dokumentar/krig-og-historie/luftforsvarets-historie-fortalt-gjennom-75-gjenstander?
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