It was a development of the earlier F.B.12 prototypes and was a two-bay biplane with a high-mounted nacelle for the pilot. Initial armament consisted of two 0.303in (7,7mm) Lewis machine guns. At the back of the nacelle there was a single water-cooled Hispano-Suiza 8 delivering 200hp of power, driving the two-bladed propeller.
The tailplane was held by four booms with a single fin and rudder. Modifications were carried out on the radiator layout and wing structure and it was rearmed with three Lewis machine guns in the front, mounted in an Eeman capable of firing at 45º angle to fire the enemy bombers from below. The prototype received the serial number of B1484 and was passed to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimentla Establishment (AAEE) located at Martlesham Heath for evaluation. The prototype was destroyed on 25th August 1917 when it entered an uncontrollable spin and crashed, killing, unfortunately its pilot Harold Barnwell.
A second prototype, numered as B1486 was built and operated by the No.39 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, at Woodford, in London and then it passed to the No.141 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps later in February 1918. It didn't receive a favourable service evaluation, although performance was satisfactory but its handling qualities were really poor.
A third aircraft was also built in 1918. This time it was powered by a slightly more powerful 230hp Bentley Rotary engine and was modified for ground-attack duties, but by that time the Sopwith Salamander was already being employed in the frontlines and showing excellent performance and therefore further development was abandoned. As there were plans to build three more prototypes, more serial numbers were allocated for them, but it's not known if any of those were ever built.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Vampire
2. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters
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