Vintage Pair 1971

Albert Ross, the answer to your question was in my post:
“Gloster Meteor” by Barry Jones, second page of the first colour photo section
Published by Crowood.

Vintage Pair at Mildenhall, year not sure.

WA669 (CFS Little Rissington) was the original V-P aircaraft at their inception in 1971 as Alebrt’s and my shots wil testify.WF791 (ex 5 CAACU Woodvale) took over the flying duties from early 1976. The roles were reversed in 1984 with ‘669 again taking on the flying role and ‘791 being held as a flying reserve. This continued until the tragedy at Mildenhall ( I have seen a shot of the last seconds of the Vampire that clearly shows the tailboom intact – I had read that this had become lost during the collission) WF 791 was re-instated as a solo act for the 1987 season but rather eerily was lost on the bank holiday Saturday at Coventry – virtually a year to the day of the V-P loss.
RIP

Absolutely spot on Kodak! I was at Coventry that day and saw WF791 crash.
The caption to Papa Lima’s photo is completely wrong – what publication is this from?

Thanks Albert – thats great – got the Meteor as well??
What publication is that scan from??

These are my photos in my book “De Havilland Twin Booms – Vampire, Venom & Sea Vixen published by Airlife Publishing(now defunct, so grab one of you see it!)

WA669 (CFS Little Rissington) was the original V-P aircaraft at their inception in 1971 as Alebrt’s and my shots wil testify.WF791 (ex 5 CAACU Woodvale) took over the flying duties from early 1976. The roles were reversed in 1984 with ‘669 again taking on the flying role and ‘791 being held as a flying reserve. This continued until the tragedy at Mildenhall ( I have seen a shot of the last seconds of the Vampire that clearly shows the tailboom intact – I had read that this had become lost during the collission) WF 791 was re-instated as a solo act for the 1987 season but rather eerily was lost on the bank holiday Saturday at Coventry – virtually a year to the day of the V-P loss.
RIP

Meteor WF791 was put back onto the airshow circuit, but unfortunatly crashed at coventry air show killing Flt Lt Stacey. As stated in the above postings, the aircraft went into a “phantom dive” due to lowering the undercarrage with airbrakes deployed in a turn. This was apparently a common problem with the Meteor. I am afraid that I was unfortunate in that I was at the show, and saw the accident. I believe that at that time the RAF had a vampire under restoration to revive the vintage pair. Maybee someone else knows if this was true?

From ‘Lost to service’ by Colin Cummings,

’25-May-1986 XH304 Vampire T11, CFS, RAF Mildenhall.

Mid air collision with Meteor T7 WA669 whilst flying in formation at the annual air show. The Meteor and Vampire were attempting a line astern barrel roll to the left, but because it could not match the Meteor’s rate of roll, the Vampire bacame displaced. The Vampire moved forward and collided with the Meteor. The pilot, Squadron Leader David Marchant and a member of the ground maintainance crew who was flying as a passenger; Sgt A Ball, were able to eject.’

The crew of the Meteor were Flight Lieutenant Andrew James Potter, age 38, pilot, and Corporal Kevin Turner, age 24, Ground support tradesman.

Geoff.

kodak, can you confirm that the caption for this photo is wrong? It’s from “Gloster Meteor” by Barry Jones, second page of the first colour photo section.

Well of course I have, but I didn’t want to show off…..but if you insist!

Thanks Albert – thats great – got the Meteor as well??
What publication is that scan from??

But we do have the awsome Heritage Pair who were based at Bournemouth untill the last few months. Although the Meteor has already gone to Coventry the Vampire was still there on Monday.

Yes bit if only they would paint them properly!!!!!!!!

But we do have the awsome Heritage Pair who were based at Bournemouth untill the last few months. Although the Meteor has already gone to Coventry the Vampire was still there on Monday.

yes but this is XK624 – yeh I know typo! The shot was taken at Biggin Hill B0B display, so 624 must have got around before XH304 came on the scene. Albert – surely you have better images than this??

Well of course I have, but I didn’t want to show off…..but if you insist!

The second Meteor crash was a case of ‘Phantom Diver’ a problem specific to the Meatbox type. (that is if I recall correctly)

Its something to do with the airbrakes and not enough engine thrust i think and yes it is specific to the meatbox

I second kodak’s comments. The show scene is the poorer for the Vintage Pair’s loss, and Roger was the best commentator I’ve had to listen too. Few others were as knowledgeable or useful (but often more entertaining, sadly.)

Don’t remember it being after a roll I thought it was as they had finished the display and were positioning at about 1500ft through the overhead for a rejoin to land. Either way it was a sad day. The commentator that day did a great job as the next act was getting ready and he focussed on that and I believe that many didn’t realise what had happened.
OAW

Im pretty sure it was during the roll, definitely during the display – the meteor clipped the vamp’s tail boom.With no bang seats the 2 aboard the Meteor perished,as did the solo pilot at Coventry who manouvered to the last second to avoid built up areas. RIP

The commentator was the great Roger Hoefling – my fave airshow commentator and one that has done a lot to make Mildenhall the show it is (was!?) More airshows should use hoim IMHO!

The second Meteor crash was a case of ‘Phantom Diver’ a problem specific to the Meatbox type. (that is if I recall correctly)

What many people don’t know is that if the two aircraft had landed safely they were going to re-fuel and depart to the first Southend Airshow.

they were replaced in the flying display by a vampire and venom, and possibly a widgoen sea plane cant remember.

Don’t remember it being after a roll I thought it was as they had finished the display and were positioning at about 1500ft through the overhead for a rejoin to land. Either way it was a sad day. The commentator that day did a great job as the next act was getting ready and he focussed on that and I believe that many didn’t realise what had happened.
OAW

The Vampire and Meteor crashed after a midair at Mildenhall in about ’86 – I was there sadly to witness it. Their last meteor crashed at Coventry a year or two later (not sure on the year)
OAW

Yes they were lost in a mid-air in May ’86, whilst performing a formation barrel roll. Meteor lost then was WF791. WA669 (the one in my pic- replaced by ‘791 in early ’76) was lost rather spookily almost a year to the day as said, at Coventry.

The Vampire and Meteor crashed after a midair at Mildenhall in about ’86 – I was there sadly to witness it. Their last meteor crashed at Coventry a year or two later (not sure on the year)
OAW