de Havilland pursued the further development of the type major derivatives produced include the DH.115, a specialised dual-seat trainer and the more advanced DH.112 Venom, a refined variant for ground attack and night-fighter operations. By the end of production, almost 3,300 Vampires had been manufactured, a quarter of these having been manufactured under licence abroad. Several countries used the type in combat including the Suez Crisis, the Malayan Emergency and the Rhodesian Bush War. The Vampire was exported to many nations and was operated worldwide in numerous theatres and climates. The Royal Navy had also adapted the type as the Sea Vampire, a navalised variant suitable for operations from aircraft carriers. The RAF retired the Vampire in 1966 when its final role of advanced trainer was filled by the Folland Gnat. The Vampire remained in front-line RAF service until 1953 when its transfer began to secondary roles such as ground attack and pilot training, for which specialist variants were produced. During its early service it accomplished several aviation firsts and achieved various records, such as being the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The Vampire quickly proved to be effective and was adopted as a replacement of wartime piston-engined fighter aircraft. In 1946 the Vampire entered operational service with the RAF, only months after the war had ended. In May 1944 it was decided to produce the aircraft as an interceptor for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Aside from its propulsion system and twin-boom configuration, it was a relatively conventional aircraft. From the company's design studies, it was decided to use a single-engine, twin-boom aircraft, powered by the Halford H.1 turbojet (later produced as the Goblin). It was the second jet fighter to be operated by the RAF, after the Gloster Meteor, and the first to be powered by a single jet engine.ĭevelopment of the Vampire as an experimental aircraft began in 1941 during the Second World War, to exploit the revolutionary innovation of jet propulsion.

The trek is a test of skill and endurance - one which sees Darren's vampire nature develop, and a new understanding of the mysterious blue-robed servants of the sinister Mr Tiny.The de Havilland Vampire is a British jet fighter which was developed and manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN BOOK 4 Darren Shan and Mr Crepsley make a long and dangerous trek to the vampire's stronghold in the mountains.

Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant is forced to march to Vampire Mountain where he will be judged by the vampire princes.

Vampire mountain