I don’t know where the software writers of Microsoft’s FS3 got their performance figures from but they’re really easy to shoot down in a Vampire!

I can’t comment on flight-sims, having never tried one, but apart from maybe raw acceleration, the vampire should be seen as a good dog-fighter for a first generation jet? In concept, it had 4 closely mounted 20mm cannon, an excellent all round view for the pilot, good speed, and well balanced controls. Also, having a single centrally mounted engine gave it a good roll rate.

In 1945, the advanced prop-driven fighters: Mustang, Tempest, Griffon Spitfires, etc. had the upper hand in acceleration and manouverability, but if pure jet-to-jet combat had ever been made, then you would have had 2 opposing jets with poor acceleration and equally wide turning circles, so bringing superiority back to differences in the pilots ability again.

David, your numbers are slightly out – there are three FB5’s, including Jons, and three FB6’s. I think you forgot the one at Cosford, and the one in the field at Henley.
Bruce

Hi Bruce,
I was thinking of the FB6 in Henley. Have I missed another obvious one? (UK based)

Proto Yeovilton
F1 MAM Coventry
F3 Hendon
FB5 VZ193 cockpit
FB5 Cosford
FB5 VV217 DH Museum
FB6 DH museum
FB6 Henley
(FB6 – Former Source collection just exported to South Africa).
FB9 Bournmouth?

You seem to be going to an awful lot of trouble to resurruct a Kiddy Kar. No offence I hope, but it is very encouraging to see so much work being done to show us what was a significant aeroplane.

Peter, although I appreciate you don’t mean any offence by your statement … this is entirely why this very significant RAF fighter type has almost dissapeared from the UK, in comparison with its contemporaries: Spitfire and Meteor.

There are only the following single seat vampires in the UK.

Proto x1
F1 x1
F3 x1
FB5 x1.5 (including Jon’s)
FB6 x2 (both Swiss)
FB9 x1

How many Spitfires and Meteors in comparison???

The Vampire fighter has always been overlooked, but it played an important role with the Meteor in forming the back bone of the immediate post-ww2 RAF.

Jon, keep up the good work. Bring this Vampire back to life! 😀

Saving money

In these times of trying to save money and fill the £100+ Billion black hole in UK Gov. finances, let alone the hidden debt on the public’s credit cards, etc. why does every new architectural statement building cost £40M here, £80M there???

It just smacks of vulgar over indulgence.

We live in the UK. Its classed as a wet environment. Ideally you keep aircraft indoors. Does it really cost that amount to build a new T2 hangar (or similar) that could comfortably contain loads of airframes and an educational centre.

However something like this is funded, either through the Lottery, fundraising, or loans, ultimately its our money they are spending.

What???

Now let me see, £80M can be spent on an “architectural statement” to educate the young, but they can’t raise a penny to restore the Halifax!

Fitment of the R2800 has done a power of good to the shape of the cowling. The Ash cowlings look awful – like a thruppenny bit.

Bruce

The R2800 probably doesn’t sound like a bag of spanners either! 😀

[QUOTE=merkle;1574935]and of interest for you Mr Collins, a crash site recovered radio panel from a DH Hornet.. i will forward pics, i wondered if it was of use to you ?? [QUOTE]

Sounds interesting! Let me know when you have photos please.

Does it look like this?