@ Salinas, CA
March 2019
Jerry Conley lifts off in his pristine de Havilland Vampire at the California International Airshow Salinas. This British jet fighter had the distinction of being the second jet fighter, following after the Gloster Meteor, to be operated by the RAF and the first to be powered by a single jet engine. Removal of the radar from the night fighter version and fitting of dual controls resulted in a jet trainer model of the aircraft, the DH.115 Vampire. Designated T.55, this was an export version provided to the Swiss Air Force that operated a fleet of 39 aircraft from 1953 to 1990. One of the most unique Vampire features is the fuselage pod, constructed from formed plywood and aluminum.
