D.C.W.
27th May 2011, 20:46
I've been asked to request the help of forum members regarding the painstaking restoration of Vampire T.11 WZ590 at Duxford. Progress has become more visible with the move to a different corner of Hangar 5, and the work on the 'pod' section means it is looking more like a complete aeroplane.
However, there are two areas where forum members may be able to help. A query has arisen concerning the markings used at RAF Oakington, and some equipment is needed to complete the nose section.
Firstly, the missing bits are;
1: Rebecca Mk.8 Transmitter Type TR8196 (fits in ammunition bay behind cockpit).
2: Junction Box Type 8196 (This fits onto the back of the Rebecca Transmitter when it is in its mounting tray and may be integral to the above).
3: Ballast weights (4 required) to fit on carrier in nose bay.
As for the markings, a square outlined stencilled box just forward of the cockpit seems to have been unique to 5FTS Oakington, and the wording is unknown. It can be seen faintly above the '7' of the code'57' on the picture of XD375 at:
De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T11, XD379, Royal Air Force (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1028255/)
Vampire WZ590 was delivered in November 1953 to 228 OCU at Leeming, and joined 5 FTS at RAF Oakington in November 1959. In March 1962 it moved to 8 FTS at Swinderby, retiring a year or so later on sale back to HSA. On arrival at Duxford in 1973, it was without an engine and many other equipment. It was repainted at one stage, but the current rebuild only started around 2008 on completion of the Airspace project. Some parts have been used from the Museum's Sea Vampire XG743.
If anyone has photos of WZ590 or any other 5FTS Vampires from 1959 to 1962, they could help towards the projects completion.
Any offers of help would be welcomed by the Duxford team, or I would be happy to forward any info via this thread.
Thanks in advance,
DCW
However, there are two areas where forum members may be able to help. A query has arisen concerning the markings used at RAF Oakington, and some equipment is needed to complete the nose section.
Firstly, the missing bits are;
1: Rebecca Mk.8 Transmitter Type TR8196 (fits in ammunition bay behind cockpit).
2: Junction Box Type 8196 (This fits onto the back of the Rebecca Transmitter when it is in its mounting tray and may be integral to the above).
3: Ballast weights (4 required) to fit on carrier in nose bay.
As for the markings, a square outlined stencilled box just forward of the cockpit seems to have been unique to 5FTS Oakington, and the wording is unknown. It can be seen faintly above the '7' of the code'57' on the picture of XD375 at:
De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T11, XD379, Royal Air Force (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1028255/)
Vampire WZ590 was delivered in November 1953 to 228 OCU at Leeming, and joined 5 FTS at RAF Oakington in November 1959. In March 1962 it moved to 8 FTS at Swinderby, retiring a year or so later on sale back to HSA. On arrival at Duxford in 1973, it was without an engine and many other equipment. It was repainted at one stage, but the current rebuild only started around 2008 on completion of the Airspace project. Some parts have been used from the Museum's Sea Vampire XG743.
If anyone has photos of WZ590 or any other 5FTS Vampires from 1959 to 1962, they could help towards the projects completion.
Any offers of help would be welcomed by the Duxford team, or I would be happy to forward any info via this thread.
Thanks in advance,
DCW