Airworthy Vampire for sale

The city of Stockton, California ! Just gone broke

BTW ……. Could this be the reason for the sale ?? :p

I think thats possibly more to do with what they are constructed of rather than desirability. The DeHav’s being much more susceptible to the British weather!

Rob

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying one is more attractive than the other, but it wasn’t that long ago that it seemed that there were Vampires and Venoms, including single seaters, all over the sky, most seem to have been grounded or exported since, which suggests to me something about their desirablility here. Will someone want to bring back one here for $125,000?
Hard to believe that there are only two flying Vamps (both trainers) left in its home country.

And based on a pilots experience then surely flying a Vampire is ‘easier’ than a Hunter, is it not? :confused: I’ll admit that the Goblin engine needs more anticipation of developing situations due to its slower spool up speed, but the airspeed differential between the two types surely makes the Hunter more ‘hot’, and one for the more experienced pilot!

And i have to agree with Bruce on the exclusivity point. How many Vampire’s are there airworthy in the UK compared to say JP’s, or indeed Hunters?

Yes it is; I ‘m playing devils advocate somewhat.

It is essentially a simple aeroplane however – relatively easy to operate. Are there any others, that are similarly airworthy for sale?

Bruce

Certainly not the ones I’m aware of, though I suppose the status of the spare engine is the deciding factor.

Seems expensive for a Vampire, the WWII type comparison is a bit tenuous really, it really is a post-war jet trainer.

Also worth noting that Jetguy has operated both types, so I guess he’s aware of the comparitive running costs!

I see no point in this comparison of apples and oranges TBH.

What price a good Hunter these days, with a good spare engine? I bet its more than that Vampire….!

Bruce

Goblin Specific fuel consumption: 1.3 lbf/lb/hr

Avon Specific fuel consumption: 0.932 lbf/lb/hr

According to Wiki so the Goblin burns more fuel

Jetguy – they are completely different engine designs so the thrust Vs fuel burn isnt comparable between the aircraft .Add to the fact that a Hunter is probably cruising around 600 knots and doing a lot more distance in the same amount of time and the Hunter is alot more aircraft for less money.

Your looking at burning best part of 2000 litres an hour at 90 pence a litre in a Vampire. Even if you can afford a Ferrari its still a good indication of why so many Jet Provosts and Hunters are flying compared to Vampires.

???
Are you suggesting that a Vampire burns more than a Hunter?
Not even close.
Vampire has between 3,000 and 3,500 Lbs of thrust.
Hunter 7,500 to over 10,000 lbs of thrust.

Whats the running cost of Mustang or Hurricane?
yes JPs work out similar per hour as Harvards just you get there twice as quick

Your looking at burning best part of 2000 litres an hour at 90 pence a litre in a Vampire. Even if you can afford a Ferrari its still a good indication of why so many Jet Provosts and Hunters are flying compared to Vampires.

I’ve seen it race at Reno 2009 and last year. They said last year that they had added 10 mph to its top speed by taking it windscreen wiper off.

Dave

80k GBP not bad for what you get and fuel burn is not really an issue if you can afford a Ferrari you can run one of thease and have pound notes in your back pocket.

Reading these comments about the price, I thought I had momentarily morphed into some twilight zone, but really $125,000 for an airworthy vintage jet sounds like a bargain to me.

The killer with these jets is the fuel burn ! Looking at the numbers of these flying pretty much shows them to be on the slide .

Absolutely – but for an aircraft designed (largely) during WW2, one has to compare the price with a similar piston fighter. Looks like good value to me!

Bruce

I dont think the price is a million miles off – especially with a good spare engine, and plenty of other stuff to keep it going.

We also all have to remember that asking prices do not necessarily equal selling prices!

Didn’t take much detecting as on favourites, as is this, more vague but essentially the same conclusion from CAA PDF, Sec 5 Para 4, http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP632.PDF

Good detective work James. A very interesting read/document that i havn’t seen before!

Rob