During the move of Vampire WZ590 into Hangar 4 this morning, Phantom FGR.2 XV474 was outside briefly. Thanks to Fred Taylor for the photos:
Duxford Wednesday March 14th:
A distant view of some of the ARCo winter residents undergoing maintenance:
Vampire WZ590 in her new home, Hangar 4:
An unusual road-runner spotted leaving the M11:
The convoy arrives:
The big reveal: Harrier GR.9A ZD461:
Some assembly required:
The fuselage is readied:
The wings are first to be taken off the truck:
With outriggers fitted the wings are lifted:
The fuselage is backed into position:
Wings are lowered into place:
Then the whole airframe is lifted:
The shot I was hoping for:
Touchdown:
Final touches:
Ready for handover?
Harrier GR.9A ZD461 first flew 10-10-89 and was delivered 16-11-89 as a GR.5A. It served with 1 Sq during Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. Suffering a brake fire after landing at Nellis AFB 26-1-10, it was returned to Cottesmore 19-3-10 Cat 3. With the withdrawal of the Harrier fleet, repairs were abandoned and the airframe became Cat 5 and struck off charge.
The aircraft is actually returning to Duxford, having starred in the Classic Jet And Fighter Display 2-6-96. For ZD461 fans, you can still get the Hobbymaster 1/72 diecast of this aircraft…
Duxford Wednesday March 14th:
A distant view of some of the ARCo winter residents undergoing maintenance:
Vampire WZ590 in her new home, Hangar 4:
An unusual road-runner spotted leaving the M11:
The convoy arrives:
The big reveal: Harrier GR.9A ZD461:
Some assembly required:
The fuselage is readied:
The wings are first to be taken off the truck:
With outriggers fitted the wings are lifted:
The fuselage is backed into position:
Wings are lowered into place:
Then the whole airframe is lifted:
The shot I was hoping for:
Touchdown:
Final touches:
Ready for handover?
Harrier GR.9A ZD461 first flew 10-10-89 and was delivered 16-11-89 as a GR.5A. It served with 1 Sq during Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. Suffering a brake fire after landing at Nellis AFB 26-1-10, it was returned to Cottesmore 19-3-10 Cat 3. With the withdrawal of the Harrier fleet, repairs were abandoned and the airframe became Cat 5 and struck off charge.
The aircraft is actually returning to Duxford, having starred in the Classic Jet And Fighter Display 2-6-96. For ZD461 fans, you can still get the Hobbymaster 1/72 diecast of this aircraft…
My final view of the Vampire today, I notice WZ590 was built 1952, anyone have a first flight date ?
She is very near her 60th birthday.
Today also marks exactly 30 years since the arrival of Vulcan B.2 XJ824 at Duxford on 13-3-82.
My final view of the Vampire today, I notice WZ590 was built 1952, anyone have a first flight date ?
She is very near her 60th birthday.
Today also marks exactly 30 years since the arrival of Vulcan B.2 XJ824 at Duxford on 13-3-82.
Duxford Tuesday March 13th:
Here’s some more detail on today’s Vampire roll-out. I’ll try not to duplicate the angles already posted.
The story began yesterday in the early morning fog, when WZ590 was moved from the workshop in Hangar 5 to AirSpace.
While I was waiting to record the aircraft in the Airspace Conservation area yesterday, it was remarkable how many museum visitors were drawn straight to the Vampire. It was the background aircraft of choice for many family portraits and school group photos.
This morning at 1100, the aircraft was presented to the Press and invited guests, with many staff and visitors in attendance:
I overheard the reaction by photographers described as a feeding frenzy:
The opportunity was taken for a group shot. I can’t name every face in the picture, there are both IWM conservation staff and volunteers represented:
The lack of sunshine today didn’t reduce the Vampire’s spectacular presence:
The Vampire was then towed airside for more photography:
And finally towed back to AirSpace, where she will remain until display in Hangar 4.
This shot from Sunday shows the completed cockpit. Wherever possible, instruments and controls have been carefully conserved in their in-service condition:
The engine remains to be installed, work continues with assembly in Hangar 5:
The standards achieved on the Vampire are unparalleled, the most common question being asked this morning was ‘What’s next?’.
From this:
To this in eleven months:
Duxford Tuesday March 13th:
Here’s some more detail on today’s Vampire roll-out. I’ll try not to duplicate the angles already posted.
The story began yesterday in the early morning fog, when WZ590 was moved from the workshop in Hangar 5 to AirSpace.
While I was waiting to record the aircraft in the Airspace Conservation area yesterday, it was remarkable how many museum visitors were drawn straight to the Vampire. It was the background aircraft of choice for many family portraits and school group photos.
This morning at 1100, the aircraft was presented to the Press and invited guests, with many staff and visitors in attendance:
I overheard the reaction by photographers described as a feeding frenzy:
The opportunity was taken for a group shot. I can’t name every face in the picture, there are both IWM conservation staff and volunteers represented:
The lack of sunshine today didn’t reduce the Vampire’s spectacular presence:
The Vampire was then towed airside for more photography:
And finally towed back to AirSpace, where she will remain until display in Hangar 4.
This shot from Sunday shows the completed cockpit. Wherever possible, instruments and controls have been carefully conserved in their in-service condition:
The engine remains to be installed, work continues with assembly in Hangar 5:
The standards achieved on the Vampire are unparalleled, the most common question being asked this morning was ‘What’s next?’.
From this:
To this in eleven months:
With many thanks to Bomberflight, I can offer a spectacular photo from last night’s TFC event. Hopefully more later…
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