RC Servo Installation and Setup

H-KING Turbo BushMaster V2 1830mm: 10 Things to Know Before You Buy

Planes

DURAFLY D.H.100 VAMPIRE V3

07/13/2026

Planes

INTRO ORTNI

The first time I saw de Havilland Vampires fly was in 2016, at the Reno Air Races with two Vampires (Race 44 and Race 24) on the circuit racing against L-39s and L-29s. The speed, agility, and sound of the vampires around the course were exhilarating, to say the least. The Vampire has an unmistakable look to it, with its small round fuselage, single-engine, and twin-boom tails, the Vampire is particularly popular among pilots who love the vintage and classic appeal of the early jet age of flight. The first RC Vampire (V1) was offered by Durafly on the HobbyKing website in about 2017. The newest version, (V3), reviewed here, has been improved upon from the previous version of a couple of years ago.

Durafly did a fantastic job capturing the unique classic design of the de Havilland Vampire in a lightweight and agile package. This model features durable EPO foam construction, making it both resilient and easy to handle for pilots. The airframe is beautifully finished in the British RAF No. 118 Squadron "camo edition", giving it a sleek and scale appearance.

Included with the Vampire are plug-in (glue-in) wings for convenient assembly, an updated robust landing gear, and all necessary hardware. A single sheet of "basic" instructions is provided, ensuring a smooth build process, however, if you need a more detailed manual the Hobbyking website has you covered. The model also comes equipped with pre-installed servos, making it easier for builders. The Durafly Vampire V3 is primarily aimed at intermediate builders and expert pilots who can appreciate its performance capabilities and the level of precision required for flying. Although the Vampire was offered in about 2017 by HobbyKing, the version 3 offered now has been improved in many ways that make it a beautiful and affordable aircraft. Let's dive into it.

UNIQUE FEATURES

The Durafly Vampire V3 stands out with its well-designed and simple control surfaces, which are hinged during the molding process making the airframe durable and keeping the parts count and build time low. The larger online manual, recommends that the builder uses a clear hinge tape to reinforce the hinge line of the control surfaces as an extra safety precaution. I certainly believe that the process that the manufacturers use to "hinge" the control surfaces to the part is well done. Personally, I have not done this to any aircraft I have owned in the past but it is the choice of the owner. The Vampire doesn't offer operational flaps. However, should you decide to add them later, the installation process looks like it would be quite straightforward, requiring minimal cutting to make that happen. It would be interesting to see if they would enhance the aircraft's capabilities.

The quality of the EPO-formed parts is impressive, with no issues with any of the parts not fitting correctly during the build, and feel very solid when the glue dries. The addition of carbon fiber rods molded within the tail booms and the wings makes them very ridged and with less flex. All of the components are secured with a glue of your choosing, I used 15 min 2-part epoxy for my build giving it a little more strength than other glues you could use. The decals are all pre-applied, saving time during assembly. For those who prefer a more customized look, additional decals can be added. The V3 of the Vampire does not come with a pilot figure but should you want one, it wouldn't be too difficult to install.

In terms of hardware, the Vampire comes with a couple of small zip lock bags with the control horn and screws to install on the ailerons and elevator and a Y-lead adapter for the ailerons and gear. The retracts on the Vampire have also been updated. I fly off of grass and found the retracts held up well from multiple retractions and landings with no issues. Although the wheels are not overly large, they work well for those of us who fly off of grass or rough fields a majority of the time.

The 70mm 5-blade EDF unit is the same as the V2 Vampire, with the 2836-3000KV Brushless Outrunner motor also being the same. The 3000KV and 5-bladed fan work extremely well together and move the Vampire around nicely with a good amount of thrust and speed. I did mention previously, that the wheels are not overly large, and I thought maybe there might be an issue with flying off of somewhat taller grass, but the EDF/ESC combination gives the Vampire enough thrust to power through the grass to get up to speed for a pretty uneventful takeoff.

I found that the weight distribution and CG could be challenging; careful balance adjustments are necessary. There are a lot of batteries that are of different weight. A light battery might need you to add some nose weight as you might not be able to move the battery forward enough to compensate.

BOTTOM LINE

Building the Durafly Vampire V3 would typically take around 15-20 minutes all depending on the glue you decide to use. The assembly is generally easy, though attention to detail is crucial as with any airframe, to ensure optimal performance and flight characteristics, for example making sure the components you are gluing together are straight, etc. I would recommend this model for beginner/intermediate builders and pilots looking to get started in jets. The HobbyKing/Durafly Vampire V3 strikes a perfect balance between scale realism and user-friendly handling. Whether you're into smooth, scale flying or trying out-of-the-box aerobatic flying, it offers a satisfying experience in the air.

IN THE AIR

For optimal performance, the Durafly Vampire V3 requires a field with a minimum grass length of 150 feet, although a paved runway can enhance ground handling. During takeoff, the jet exhibits strong thrust, allowing for quick liftoff with minimal runway distance. Ground handling is stable, but caution is advised on grass to avoid tipping during sharp turns. But that can be managed with expo (I use 40%) and lowering the travel distance of the nosewheel steering servo.

The 70mm EDF unit gives the Vampire excellent thrust and respectable top-end speed. It's not a blistering fast jet, but it has a perfect balance for smooth, scale-like flying. The jet offers a solid power to climb and will perform aerobatics with no issues.

The control surfaces are responsive, allowing the pilot to execute smooth rolls, loops, and tight banked turns. Landings are uneventful with good low speed and stall characteristics; the airframe design makes flaring just before landing just as easy. The Vampire is aerobatic enough to impress, but it also flies gracefully when piloted for scale realism. The great thing about scale airframes like the Vampire, is the model pilots will get a relative sense of the full-scale counterparts flight characteristics. For example, the wing design allows for the Vampire to have a good balance between lift and control. The Vampire has a low wing loading giving it excellent low-speed handling, quick roll rates, and a predictable stall behavior. A fantastic combination for a beginner's type jet that is forgiving to fly. As with some smaller aircraft, the lightweight type of landing gear can be an issue, however, the low weight of the Vampire and the simple retract design doesn't seem to be an issue on rough or grass runways.

PILOT DEBRIEF

I found that the Durafly Vampire V3 is a well-rounded EDF jet that offers great scale looks, solid flight performance, and a good balance between speed and stability. The Vampire is designed to work with a 4S 2200-3300mAh Lipo pack. I was getting around 4-5 minutes of flight time with the 2200 packs; I personally didn't find the weight increase and flight time tradeoff between the 2200 and 3300 mAh packs worth it. However, the Vampire flies just fine with the larger battery, it's just a personal preference. While on the topic of battery packs, I was using the Turnigy Graphene 2200 4S LiPos from HobbyKing, and would highly recommend them.

The Vampire's ease of assembly, forgiving flight characteristics, and good overall durability make it ideal for the intermediate pilot. For those looking for a realistic, early jet-age EDF with more forgiving flight dynamics it is a fantastic option. While it might not be the fastest or most aerobatic EDF jet out there, the Vampire V3 provides an authentic jet flying experience that combines fun, style, and nostalgia.

GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE

• Stability: The Vampire exhibits excellent stability in the air, maintaining smooth flight at cruising speeds. Pilots should be mindful of speed during landing to prevent unwanted altitude loss.

• Tracking: The aircraft tracks very well, even without the aid of rudders. Aided by its sleek design, twin-boom tails, and wing configuration, making it easy to maintain a straight path throughout the flight.

• Aerobatics: This jet excels in jet-type aerobatic maneuvers, performing rolls, loops, and inverted flight with agility. Its responsiveness allows experienced pilots to push the limits with confidence.

• Glide and Stall Performance: The glide ratio is adequate, though the Vampire tends to lose altitude quickly when power is reduced. Stall performance is manageable.

HIGHLIGHTS

Easy to fly for an EDF
Great scale appearance and realism
Agile, with good aerobatic capabilities
Retractable landing gear adds a realistic touch

GEAR USED

Radio: RadioMaster TX16S, Flysky FS-iA6B receiver
Engine/motor: 5-blade 70mm EDF fan w/2836-3000KV brushless outrunner
Fuel/Battery: Turnigy Graphene 2200mAh 4S LiPo

AT A GLANCE

Model: de Havilland D.H 100 Vampire V3
Manufacturer: Durafly
Wingspan: 1100mm
Pilot skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Time to assemble: 15-20 min depending on glue type
Power req’d: 4S (14.8V) 2200-3300mAh LIPO battery 30C min
Radio req’d: 5-CH or higher
Price: $199.99 USD

SIDEBAR

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was developed as a small, lightweight jet fighter for the Royal Air Force during WW2. Though the prototype flew before the war ended, production models didn't see combat. Over 3000 Vampires were eventually produced, and they served for a relatively long time. Powered by a single de Havilland Goblin turbojet, the Vampire could reach nearly 550mph and had a service ceiling of over 40,000ft. It was armed with four 20mm cannons. The F.3 variant, developed from the F.1, had about 300 units built for the RAF, with many exported to Canada and Norway. The aircraft was upgraded to the FB.5 and FB.9 variants, which were used by the French Air Force in the late 1940s.