I’m looking into the background to this aircraft just now, but can’t find much on the web.
According to http://www.ukserials.fsnet.co.uk/wz.pdf, was delivered on 13th March 1952, sold 6th January 1972 to Exeter Airport and scrapped at Leavesden in 1993.
I seem to recall something on a thread here, but needless-to-say, the search function does help.
Does anyone have any more info (like why the heck it was scrapped) or even better any pictures?
By: gra999 - 17th October 2021 at 15:59
This is an old thread, but I have an ejector seat from this aircraft. It’s dated 1955, and has the serial number written on a plate (also identifying as the port side seat.)
I acquired it from the store of old Vampire and Meteor parts at Keevil in about 1984
By: Ray Jade - 1st June 2004 at 16:54
Thanks Bruce and Papa Lima.
I’ve popped the pic on at http://forum.airforces.info/showpost.php?p=369934&postcount=58.
By: Papa Lima - 1st June 2004 at 16:24
A little titbit: WZ415 was the 2nd production Vampire T.11 and sent to the A&AEE to compare its performance with WW458, a pre-production airframe.
Source: “DH Vampire, the complete history”by David Watkins.
By: Bruce - 1st June 2004 at 15:15
Probably the usual reason – it was completely rotten, and beyond repair!
Vampires dont last very well when stored outside – the wooden pod will last about 2-3 years before starting to succumb quite badly.
Bruce
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June 1, 2004 at 2:59 pm