Vampire squadron query

Positive vampire ID for Tbirdman

Finally got the pic to work – I think.

T

Hi Tbirdman

The following vampires were on a goodwill visit to the SAAF in Capetown in May 1954. The Squadron took four aircraft:- WR207, WR211, WR193, WX227.

The aircraft that had the red flash (shown in your BW photo), in which you were photographed was WR211, it was in fact the 32 Squadron CO’s aircraft who at the time was J.H.A. ( Paddy ) Hemmingway.

I now have a group photo showing these 4 aircraft together.

32 Squadron Vampire

Hello Tbirdman

I found this old thread showing a photo of you? in a 32 squadron Vampire FB.9 cockpit in the 50’s.

Did you ever find out what colours the dart was going through the squadron crest, or which vampire it was? Last year I acquired the instrument panels from Vampire FB.9 WR207 that served with 32 Squadron in the middle east over this period, and I am intersted in finding photos of it or its fellow squadron aircraft.

This is the best I can come up with I’m afraid. It’s taken from “Warpaint Series No.27, de Havilland Vampire” by W.A.Harrison.

Confuses the issue even more though because the markings are different (no stripe) and this book shows the crest with the King’s crown but the wording “Squadron” instead of “Fighter Squadron”. :confused:

And here’s the same Vampire but from the other side! 🙂

Just had a look through Warpaint 27 as well. Have also done several searches on the net but drawn a blank each time.

Perhaps the badge painted on the aircraft in the photo was an “unofficial” one. I believe this sometimes happened. Still no clue as to the stripe though. Might it have been part of a larger marking/decoration on the aircraft’s nose? Tbirdman, do you by any chance have any other photos of that occassion?

Perhaps the good folks at the RAF Heraldry site could help with advice on the official style badge. I see that one has been produced. Or, maybe the Sqn’s association can help. There are contact details on this link:

http://www.associations.rafinfo.org.uk/squadron.htm

I’ll keep looking but there doesn’t seem to be to much on 32 Sqn Vampires around.

Regards,

Laurie.

If anyone has a colour photo of the Vampire in 32 squadron markings or a colour drawing I would be most grateful.

This is the best I can come up with I’m afraid. It’s taken from “Warpaint Series No.27, de Havilland Vampire” by W.A.Harrison.

Confuses the issue even more though because the markings are different (no stripe) and this book shows the crest with the King’s crown but the wording “Squadron” instead of “Fighter Squadron”. :confused:

And here’s the same Vampire but from the other side! 🙂

That’s interesting. Is that something that is likely to have changed when the crown changed from the King’s to Queen’s crown? The RAF Marham site shows the wording just as “Squadron” but with the Queen’s crown.

The current 32 Sqn. crest has changed again of course to “Royal Squadron” as they took over the duties of the Queen’s Flight.

I’m very interested in understanding this as the Vampire T.11 pod I’m restoring started it’s service life with 32 Sqn. in the Middle East and returned to the UK in 1957 when they converted to Canberras. I suspect it may have been the squadrons only T.11 but can’t be sure. I would like to return the pod to it’s 32 Sqn. colour scheme so getting the crest right is important.

I’m also intrigued by the stripe behind the crest…?

I noticed the crown and the stripe. Have been looking through a few books but haven’t come up with anything yet. Haven’t been able to find any photos from that period either.

Not sure when the word “Fighter” was dropped from the badge. Some badges, mainly for bomber units still seem to include that wording in their badges. Haven’t seen any fighter units with it though.

Have to do some more checking.

Regards,

Laurie.

Thanks for the very useful feedback/comments from you all.

This particular occasion, in Dar es Salaam, was a watershed in my life and it was from this point I decided that I wanted to be a pilot. I did indeed becme a professional pilot although it was some 45 years later before I managed to fly a Vampire single seater!

If anyone has a colour photo of the Vampire in 32 squadron markings or a colour drawing I would be most grateful.

Brgds

T

I was intrigued by the writing around the upper portion of the badge. Normally this just reads “Squadron”, positioned centrally. However, on checking the RAF Heraldry site, it seems that 32’s original badge showed “Fighter Squadron”. So that fits.

That’s interesting. Is that something that is likely to have changed when the crown changed from the King’s to Queen’s crown? The RAF Marham site shows the wording just as “Squadron” but with the Queen’s crown.

The current 32 Sqn. crest has changed again of course to “Royal Squadron” as they took over the duties of the Queen’s Flight.

I’m very interested in understanding this as the Vampire T.11 pod I’m restoring started it’s service life with 32 Sqn. in the Middle East and returned to the UK in 1957 when they converted to Canberras. I suspect it may have been the squadrons only T.11 but can’t be sure. I would like to return the pod to it’s 32 Sqn. colour scheme so getting the crest right is important.

I’m also intrigued by the stripe behind the crest…?

Bingo! …32 Squadron it is!

Certainly looks like it.

I was intrigued by the writing around the upper portion of the badge. Normally this just reads “Squadron”, positioned centrally. However, on checking the RAF Heraldry site, it seems that 32’s original badge showed “Fighter Squadron”. So that fits.

Regards,

Laurie.

Finally got the pic to work – I think.

T

Bingo! …32 Squadron it is!

Finally got the pic to work – I think.

T

Without a photo, my guess is that this was 32 Squadron whose Vampires were based at Cyprus between 1948-55.

32 Sqn crest, amongst others, shown here….

http://www.rafmarham.co.uk/gallery/crests6.htm

Neil

TBirdman,was that you flying the t33 this week at Duxford,i would guess probably wednesday,she looked lovely 😀

Without a photo, my guess is that this was 32 Squadron whose Vampires were based at Cyprus between 1948-55.

Picture attachment isn’t working at the moment. Try again next week – Nermal

Sorry folks…thought the pic had uploaded. Back to the drawing board 🙁