review Wingleader Photo Archive Number 8 - de Havilland Vampire in RAF and Overseas Service

[Iain]

We take a look at a great reference for anyone building the Infinity Vampire kits.

 

 

Blue skies...

 

Iain

[Kagemusha]

Nice review Iain, now added to the list of Wingleader books required.

[Scotsman]

Thanks for that review  - Ordered 

[thierry laurent]

Good book but I was somewhat disappointed for two reasons. First, in comparison with most other books of the series, the features really interesting for the modeller are very thin: few close-ups, limited description of the versions specificities, etc. Second, the printed references about the Vampire family are rare and the author is considered to be THE Vampire/Venom specialist. So, a far better coverage was possible and this should have justified AT LEAST two issues in the series. So, even if useful, this could have been far better!

[Iain]

Hi Thierry,

 

I tried to cover that in the review - it's good for period photos/colour schemes - but by no means a 'Technical Guide' - something I'd really love to see on the Vampire.

 

In that regard it was pretty well what I expected.

 

If anyone has any thoughts on other books that fulfill the 'technical/detail' remit I'd love to know! 

 

Iain

 

 

[thierry laurent]

Well unfortunately, there is no very good source about such planes. The same author published a far more detailed book about the Vampire but it is not picture-based. The Warpaint is good but as others in that series, this stays an overview. A thick special issue magazine I found (only in digital format) is dedicated to the Vampire and is one of the best source of pictures (published by Key or Morton, I should check). I also got one French and one Swedish thick books that give good scale plans and some useful TM views. However, they are not cheap, not necessarily easy to find and by far are not final references either! It is a pity!

[LSP_Ray]

A side note: while I was in Oregon this summer I took the daughter to Evergreen aviation museum, where the Spruce Goose now resides. One of the reasons I went is they had a Vampire I wanted to get some photos of. Was disappointed to find they no longer had the Vampire. Also, virtually every other WWII fighter was gone. Found out that Del Smith who started the museum had used them as collateral on several loans so when he died they were all sold to help pay off his debts. 

[Sabrejet]

Not sure if he's still around, but David Watkins was my go-to Vampire/Venom expert. He published a number of books and articles on the type.