 The Sea Vampire was fitted with enlarged air brakes and landing flaps for superior low-speed control during landing approaches, along with construction to higher load factors to account for the greater stresses involved in carrier landings.On 15 October 1948, the first Sea Vampire performed its maiden flight.A pair of prototypes were followed by 18 production aircraft which were used to gain experience in carrier jet operations before the arrival of the two-seat Sea Vampire T.22 trainers.