In a major boost to the warbird sport in Australia, a completely restored and applicable de havilland dh.115 vampire T55 arrives in Scoon, New South Wales, which will join the growing historical fleet of aircraft operated by Paul Bennet Airshows.
Built in 1958 by F+W Emmen in collaboration with De Havilland Switzerland, the two-seat jet trainer is one of the 39 vampire T.55 aircraft used by the Swiss Air Force, nine of which are from the RAF Surplus Stock. Operating under a continuous U-1213 in Switzerland, the vampire was a Jet trainer until the early 1990s, with about 2,500 hours of flight time before retirement. After retirement, the aircraft was sold and sold through various owners in the United States and Canada, and was restored to its original configuration in 2010. It was drawn on the colors of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 442 Vancouver Auxiliary Fighter Squadron. Between 2017 and 2019, the Vampire underwent a second comprehensive restoration, which included a wooden forward fuselage overhaul, a digital cockpit upgrade, rewiring, and a larger external fuel tank seen on DH Venom.
Arrival in Australia
In 2023, the vampire was placed on the market in Rockford, Illinois, USA, where it caught the attention of Paul Bennet, a famous Australian show pilot and warbird operator. Paul Bennet Airshows Hunter Valley in New South Wales. After successful negotiations, the jet was dismantled and shipped to Australia, and finally arrived in early 2025. Now fully gathered on the Scone, the vampire is undergoing Australian certification ahead of its upcoming first flight. Once cleared, Paul Bennet will fly extensively among Australian pilots across Australia, which will be his first aircraft, joining an impressive lineup that includes Wirraway, Corsair, TBM Avergenger, Avenger, Sea Fury FB.11 and T-28 Trojan. Now, the aircraft is equipped with a Garmin-equipped dashboard, fresh wiring and drip tank, making it a performer with high functionality spectacular performance. When not flying, the plane will join the plane’s Hunter Fighter Collection (HFC) stable historical aircraft and lend it to the Hunter Warbirds Museum in Scone. (See Vintage Aviation News’ previous article on the Hunter Fighter Series here)
Suitable supplement to the Australian Battle Bird Heritage
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) operated single-seat vampire fighters and two-seat coaches from Raaf Williamtown and other bases between the 1950 and the mid-1970s. The T.55 variant was initially very similar to the RAAF’s vampire T.35, which made it a historically important and suitable aircraft for Operation Warbird in Australia.
Drawn in the eye-catching plan of the RCAF 442 Vancouver Auxiliary Fighter Squadron. Photos collected by Hunter Fighter
John from HFC inspects the complex interior of the wing. Photos collected by Hunter Fighter
Hunter Fighter Collection – Save Aviation History
Hunter Fighter Collection (HFC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Australia’s aviation heritage. The arrival of the Vampire T55 further strengthens HFC’s commitment to maintaining and displaying historic aircraft for public appreciation and education. With the first vampire flight in Australia approaching, Warbird enthusiasts can look forward to seeing the legendary jet coach go into the sky again, showing off the lasting legacy of classic military aviation. For more information, please visit Hunter Fighter Collection Website.
