Classic Airframes' 1/48 scale
de Havilland Vampire T.35

by Ryan Hamilton

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron

This is the Classic Airframes 1/48 scale Vampire T.35.

The Vampire T.35 was built straight from the box, with the addition of dropped flaps and new squadron markings.

Construction was fairly straightforward, but do remember to add some weight to the nose (otherwise the model is a certain tail sitter) and ensure the cockpit is glued tightly. When I glued the fuselage halves together, my cockpit tub rolled slightly.

As most photos of RAAF Vampires show the flaps dropped when sitting on the ground, I used some 20 thou plastic card and some wire to fashion some flaps. 

The model was painted with Humbrol Metalizer polished sliver.

There are many colourful colour schemes for RAAF Vampires and I decided to finish the model in the colour scheme of 76 SQN RAAF. After several years of flying single seat Vampires in Malta during the 1950s, 76 Sqn RAAF was disbanded and reformed back in Australia to convert to CAC Sabres.

The Squadron received six Vampire T35 trainers for instrument and hack flying, A79-660 was one of them. It should be noted that none of the six airframes shared the same colour scheme.

Decals were from the Classic Airframes with the exception of the aircraft serial numbers and the squadron markings.

By the way, the two appendages on the windscreen are the crew's helmets!

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Model and Text Copyright © 2009 by Ryan Hamilton
Images Copyright © 2009 by Brett Green
Page Created 27 April, 2009
Last Updated 27 April, 2009

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