As a PPL Instructor I used to take my students on a cross-country exercise from Dundee down to Newcastle. Once across the Firth of Forth we’d route from the East Fortune area directly to Morpeth. Somewhere along that route we’d repeatedly come across a twin boom jet, a Vampire or Vixen sitting in somebody’s garden. I seem to remember it was close to a dis-used airfield but a Google Earth search came up blank. Anybody have any info on this?
By: Phantom Phil - 26th August 2008 at 18:56
Vampire T.11 XH278
Just to add to this story:
Vampire T11 XH278 was built at Chester and was test flown on 13 September 1955. It was delivered to the RAF Cranwell on 30 December 1955. Apart from one minor collision with a fuel bowser on 8 January 1957, it remained in service until 3 February 1960 when it went into storage at RAF Shawbury. In 1964, the Vampire was transferred to RAF Upwood for Ground Instruction Training. In 1984, it was moved again to Henlow (ATC) and later to RAF Henlow. XH278 ended its service career two years later.
The Vampire was bought in October 1992 by David Thompson, a farmer at Felton in Northumberland, who restored the aircraft during 1992/3. It remained on display at the farm until it was donated to the Yorkshire Air Museum by David and his young son Martin in November 2001.
Hope this clears thigs up 😉
Regards,
Phil.
By: Embraer - 26th August 2008 at 18:06
Yep, that’ll be it, certainly was west to south west of the field. Wonder where it went?
By: northeagle - 26th August 2008 at 17:55
This aeroplane was on a farm/Estate about 1 mile west of RAF Eshott. It was there until about 2003 but not sure since.
Best Wishes.
Robert.
By: Embraer - 26th August 2008 at 09:05
How long ago was this?
97 or 98. Felton does sort of fit, with relation to Eshott, but I thought it might have been a little further north
By: Thunderbird167 - 26th August 2008 at 07:48
The aircraft would have been a Vampire that was privately owned at Felton near Morpeth
The aircraft has since moved to a new owner
By: Robert Whitton - 26th August 2008 at 07:28
How long ago was this?
Sign In
August 26, 2008 at 12:10 am