Yes, and XD425 went to Millom?

Anyway, I didnt know D+G no longer had a Vampire – perhaps they realised that wooden birds dont do well outside.

Mike, when you have a fuller list, let me know; I might be able to help with some of it.

Or, of course, there’s half a million spares on ebay for £89,000!!

Bruce

Thanks Bruce once she is down with us at the end of the month or there abouts I can do an indepth and see what she needs besides some serious fuselage work. I wish we had been able to keep XD602 but it was not ours and the owner got a good price for it.Not surprised really as the fuselage was very good condition .

Will post pics of the move hopefully very soon

By the way I used to own WZ518 in 1972 when she cam eout of service but due to lack of space parted with her to NEAM .(she was one of only three of the thirty odd vampires that came from Shawbury that flew in her engine went to the Vintage pair)

Mike E

No the pod was moved to start drying our as it needs a lot of TLC. The fabric has gone and it has had some none original type repairs whilst they have filled the holes they have not helped in some repects as they are block ply and as the knowledgeable will know the Vampire takes some of its heritage in structure of the fuselage from the Mosquito.It is an inner skin of ply with a number of oppposing cross grain balsa planks glued together and then covered with an outer layer of marine ply and then the whole thin covered in madapolin and doped well .The usual red /silver/red/silver finished markings.

As I understand it D & G have had about 4or 5 vampires over the years and mine is the fuselage pod of XD547 with the wings of XD425 and the tail booms ??. Anyway going with the general rule of thumb that the identity comes from the fuselage XD 547 she is and will be.The pod of XD425 is in excellent hands just outside Newcastle and I understand is making really nice progress.

We would like if possible to get all the systems up and running and if I can find one get a ground running Goblin on board so we can run the blow lamp now and again and do det runs to keep her as live as possible (return to flight not an option).We/I do not have the funds to support a flying blow lamp but if anyone wants to start a support group and throw enough funds my way to rebuild her to flight and get the spares needed then fine but I dont think so really. If we can get airframes warm and running that sthe next best thing

Thanks I am aware of the stuff ex Bournemouth and to be honest from what i understand from some of the airframes are no better than “547” under the fabric.

Be nice if the old number scame up we could then have a formation team of vampires and venoms now thats not been seen for a long time !!!!

will let you know when it arrives its a long time since I have seen it s its been inside for 18 months drying out.

Have you come across the train of thought that says you can use 16 inch low loader crawler inner tubes in the tyres of vampires ???.I seem to remember a long time ago at barton we had two vampire and I am sure someone turned up one day with inner tubes claiming thats where they came from ???.

Mike E

Anchor Supplies at Ripley in Derbyshire had an engine (I think it was a Goblin out of a Vampire they had) sitting in their yard recently.

Anchor Supplies (01773) 570137

Rich

Thanks for the lead Rich but it turns out to be a Derwent out of a Meteor. If anyone is looking for one ???

Mike E

Our beast is definitely T 11 there is some discussion going on at present but we are almost certain its is XD547.

Anyone got any support stands or transit stands for a T11 they either do not want or we can borrow please ??.

I seem to recall someone was advertising a nose gear for a T11 recently own up ,own up who ever you are ???.

Also tyres would be appreciated as it has stood still on its rubber for a long time and at least one side is looking a bit sad.

Thank you.

mike E