Meteor and Vampire

But like most things in life accidents do happen and when you actually watch things unfold in front of your very own eyes (twice more since) it is burned into your memory, forever.. RIP guys.

Too true. 🙁 RIP.

Nice painting – whats the story?

Bruce

I believe it’s a photo Bruce:
http://www.centralflyingschool.org.uk/History/CFSHist6.htm

I was there too, it was the silence i remember and then Roger Hofling (you can correct me on spelling) been very good with the commentary, not mentioning what happened and continuing with the show. (What could he say, worst nightmare for the commentary team?)

I didnt go to more than two or three shows a year in the 1980’s as id only just past my test in late 1986. One that I did go to was Coventry in 1988…………………………….

I was there at Mildenhall in 1986 when they were lost. With a friend who had never seen an airshow before, we watched them take off and mid way through the display as they were coming around the back of the airfield and forming up, the tail of the Vampire (the Vampire always led) came into contact with i think the port engine intake of the Meteor and something broke off. Subsequently the Meteor immediately started to tumble towards the ground and dissapeared behind some trees. I was expecting (hoping) to see it to wobble back into view and land but it did’nt, just a large fireball. The crew never stood a chance (T7, no ejection seats).
Meanwhile the Vampire went into a brief climb and then one after the other i saw both crew members eject and shortly afterwards the Vampire fell to the ground followed by another fireball.
I seam to recall that the backseat guy in the Meteor was Cpl Kevin Turner, but i cannot recall who the pilot was. Needless to say everyone was left in a state of total shock at the loss of two brave airmen, not to mention those lovely old aeroplanes.
There was an enquiry afterwards and blame was apportioned, but i won’t go into details.

All true aviation enthusiasts go to airshows to enjoy seeing aeroplanes perform, not expecting anything to go wrong. But like most things in life accidents do happen and when you actually watch things unfold in front of your very own eyes (twice more since) it is burned into your memory, forever.. RIP guys.

Nice painting – whats the story?

Bruce

Were they based at Leeming for a while?

I remember them at Teeside Airport airshow in probably ’84 or ’86.

The display teams third Meteor WF791 was sadly lost in a crash at Coventry Classic Airshow in 1988

I was there that day and saw it go down! To lose ONE Vintage Pair Meteor is tragedy, but to lose BOTH was a disaster!

The display teams third Meteor WF791 was sadly lost in a crash at Coventry Classic Airshow in 1988

Oh God I never knew they were lost like that. I saw them as a kid at an airshow (Church Fenton maybe?) and they really stuck in my mind for some reason, I have a colour postcard of them somewhere. Such a shame.

These aircraft appeared at R.A.F. Bentwaters “Open Day” on May 26th 1973. They were one of the display teams that participated, the full list is posted below. I was a member of the 7th Army Parachute Team.

Darren if you mean do I own the pictures yes I do, but I’m sure that is not what you mean. I have no idea who took them, they were publicity pictures given away by the “Vintage Pair” display team. I have other examples from the “Macaws,” “Poachers, “Slivers,” “Blue Eagles,” “Red Arrows,” “Blue Angels,” and “Gemini.” All from the 1973 show season.

The Vampire is XH304 and the `Vintage Pair` were flown by CFS instructors;I flew in the Vamp in a display in `78 at Odiham,and the team later collided over Mildenhall in about `86.

The Vintage Pair – sadly lost at a Mildenhall airshow. Such a shame as they were superb aircraft. Are these your own pictures?

lovely photos, thanks for sharing 🙂

is there any particular story behind them?

I have had the pictures since the mid ’70’s They were a display team and I saw them at R.A.F. Mildenhall during an “Open House.”

I’m sure someone will come along and tell us more.

lovely photos, thanks for sharing 🙂

is there any particular story behind them?

Another shot.