It’s interesting to look at the number of Vampire T.11’s that have met their maker in the last decade. Did the donation of 43 surplus airframes by HS at Woodford spur the preservation movement or by their weight of numbers swamp the preservation scene and distract from other aircraft that escaped preservation? It could be argued that even now the supply exceeds demand – or that the slow cull of the lesser examples is a good thing !
By: David Burke - 29th December 2008 at 11:29
I don’t lament the decline of the type – it does concentrate the mind with a view that the deterioration suffered by other types amassed in bulk is happening on a slower scale.
On another tack the Vampire NF.10 pod that escaped Sandhurst yard should have met a better fate than falling into the hands of someone who thought it should become a ‘Mosquito’.
By: Bruce - 29th December 2008 at 09:59
The Vampire was never an ideal type for anyone to preserve. The number donated by Hawker Siddeley has since been supplemented by those that were donated to Technical schools, incuding the ex Brooklands aircraft that we have at the museum, and one of my own aircraft.
The decline of the T-11 is not a great tragedy – I have recently compiled a list of surviving Vampire trainer aircraft, and there are still a good many around. As preservation has advanced, many of those that had declined quite badly have been restored and placed under cover, which makes them a useful learning aid. There are quite a few which are bordering on dereliction, and I am sure their fate will be decided in the next five years or so.
Looking at the wider picture, we cannot and should not seek to preserve everything, something the Vampire illustrates rather well.
Bruce
By: RPSmith - 28th December 2008 at 18:29
As well as the Vampire “give away” and the USAFM loans (F-100, T-33 and Mystere) there were quite a few Hunters “donated” to museums/collections by HSA. I think these were airframes originally purchased back for refurbishment and sale.
With regard to the two US types the weak area I noticed is the underside of the F-100 wing along the line of the main spar.
Roger Smith.
By: TwinOtter23 - 28th December 2008 at 16:04
Good starter airframe for many collections, but also a type of construction that highlights the importance of getting airframes under cover.
I guess a similar theme will eventually follow with the American loaned airframes.
My suggestion would be that they enabled groups to get established, which ultimately could lead to other important types being saved! 🙂
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December 28, 2008 at 3:53 pm