Following unsuccessful negotiations with the United States regarding the purchase of jet aircraft, the Chilean Air Force (FACH) signed a contract with England for five Vampire T.Mk.55 trainers. The first aircraft, designated J-01, took to the skies in England on December 29, 1953. By January of the following year, three aircraft had arrived in Chile by sea.
Under the guidance of De Havilland engineer and pilot George Earington, the Vampires were assembled at Los Cerrillos Airport, Santiago. The first machine was test-flown by the Briton on April 28, 1954. The next day, Commander Ianizewski flew a Vampire, becoming the first Chilean pilot to fly a jet aircraft.
Early Years and Training
In May, two additional Vampires arrived in Valparaíso, completing the 7th Air Group with five aircraft, led by Commander Ianizewski. This air group, based at Los Cerrillos, had the primary task of training jet pilots. The first class, consisting of five individuals, began its training on November 8, 1954.
On September 7, 1954, a disaster occurred: Vampire J-04 crashed in the Quilicura area. Fortunately, the pilot successfully ejected and survived.
Operational Evolution and Replacement
In April 1957, the FACH received another Vampire T.55, which De Havilland had sent on a promotional tour of South America in November 1956. The Chileans purchased this Vampire to replace the lost J-04. In the same year, the American government finally agreed to provide Chile with jet technology, including F-80 fighters and T-33 trainers.
These new aircraft gradually displaced their predecessors from primary roles. By 1962, the Vampires had completely ceased operational flights. At this point, the aircraft bore new serial numbers – from J-301 to J-305.
In 1963, all five Vampires were transferred to the 8th Air Group, based at Cerro Moreno Air Base, Antofagasta, where they were overhauled and modified for ground attack missions. Ultimately, by 1971, only J-302 remained airworthy, and the other four Vampires were completely withdrawn from service.
Final Flights and Legacy
However, the Vampires did not completely leave the Chilean skies. At that time, the FACH needed aircraft to train Hawker Hunter fighter pilots. It was decided to acquire ten used Vampires for this purpose. Four of them were Vampire T.Mk.11s that previously belonged to the RAF, and six were Sea Vampire T.Mk.22s from the FAA (Fleet Air Arm).
These aircraft arrived by sea in Antofagasta in December 1972 and received numbers J-302 to J-311. All eleven Vampires (including the old J-302, which received the new code J-301) served in the 8th Air Group during 1973, then in 1974 were transferred to the 4th Air Group, based at Los Cóndores.
Some Vampires were withdrawn from service as early as 1977. The remaining aircraft were officially bid farewell at a ceremony held at Cerro Moreno Air Base on December 31, 1980. Three examples have been preserved for history: J-302 is mounted on a pedestal at Los Cóndores Air Base, J-304 also on a pedestal at Cerro Moreno Air Base, and J-305 in the National Aeronautics Museum in Santiago. There is information that the fuselages of several Vampires are preserved in the Santiago museum, and in Antofagasta, one aircraft is with a private owner.