De Havilland Vampire

[Grahamspitfire]

Hello,I am a new member and would like to confirm the story I read last year in a book about D-Day.It stated that a Vampire flew over the beaches around the week after the invasion which i find very unlikely as the aircraft would still be in the prototype stage ,although it was flying in 1943 it would not have been widely known and as such ,there was the risk of friendly fire i would have thought.I would be very grateful if any of your members could shed some light on this subject.Thank you GP Davis.

 

[Snautzer01]

Hi and welcome. Vampires over the beaches at D-day did not happen.

 

[Grahamspitfire]

Hello and thank you for your prompt reply.I find it very unlikely but the author must have got it from somewhere and as soon as i find the book again i will inform the forum.

 

[Antarctica]

The Vampire first flew in 1943 but did not enter service until after the war. Gloster Meteors did fly sorties over France in early 1945 - before that they were still secret & were restricted to flying over land in England.