I am sure that a Vampire in bits is one lorry load if the wings are stood on the leading edge either side of the pod. I know that we moved VV217 (an FB5) this way and can remember seeing a T11 on the M25 one Saturday all on one lorry.

WM145 Meteor NF11
WZ557 Vampire T.11
XM169 Lightning F.1A to Highland Aviation Museum
XN607 Jet Provost T.3 to Highland Aviation Museum

All moved on in 2005/06

WZ518 – Stockport APS

Mike,

Thanks for the additional information, the aircraft was slightly before my time at NEAM, as I did not join until 1979. I remember seeing the aircraft at Lambton Lion Park and the Tyneside Summer Exhibition before its move to Usworth. I was aware of the connection to the SAPS as I wrote a history of NEAM a few years ago.

I am pleased now that a little bit more of its post service history has surfaced.

Actual move date to the North East was 11th October 1975. Can you clarify the comment about it coming from Shawbury as most reports state Oakington to Chester then Woodford.

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

I am curious about this as the records for the aircraft at the museum state it was acquired from the Stockport Aircraft Preservation Society at Pomona Dock in Manchester in 1974 having previously been stored at Woodford.

November 1984 – No 74 Squadron reforms at Wattisham with the delivery of the first of the F4J Phantoms, given the RAF designation Phantom F3. The new fighter Phantoms are ex-US Navy aircraft de singed to fill the gap in the UK Air Defence capability, created by the need to provide full time cover on the Falklands, until the full deployment of the Tornado F3.

This may not be a servicing document but it is from

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline198089.cfm

The official MOD History site so some recogintion of the allocation of F3 to the F4J (UK)

This Swift has been, to its owners, little more than an interesting and unusual advertising hoarding for their business. It had stood out in all weathers, totally neglected, for over 40 years.

The more we talk about it, the more its owner will think it is made of solid gold, instead of crumbling aluminium…

Unfortunately its value is clouded by the disposal of the previous family owned Spitfire. Which was sold on for a considerable profit.

There have been many potential offers for the aircraft over the years hence the perception that it is valuable

Does anyone have contact details for the owner?

Anon.

Skylark Hotel 01702 279 755

http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/8275193.Hotelier___s_plan_for_aeroplane_weddings/

XM691 at Farnborough 1959

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=39080