de Havilland Vampire F3

No. 601 Squadron reformed in 1946 as a fighter squadron within the Auxiliary Air Force and was initially equipped with the Spitfire. This was followed by the jet-powered de Havilland Vampire F3. The de Havilland aircraft factory was at Hatfield with engines built at Stag Lane.

The Vampire was a jet fighter which saw service in the immediate post-war period with Royal Air Force front-line fighter squadrons, followed by further service with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The RAF Museum’s Vampire F3 served with No. 601 Squadron at North Weald. It still shows evidence of its service, with the iconic ‘Flying Sword’ insignia still featured on the nose of the aircraft.