Vampire in a field near Henley

[Torque Tonight]

I was flying today near Henley-on-Thames and looked down to see what appeared to be a DH Vampire on the ground in a large field (although I suppose it could have been a Venom). Anyone any ideas what it was doing there? Just curious. It seemed like an unusual place to stumble across a de Havilland jet.

The location is here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en-GB&ie=UTF8&ll=51.522269,-0.884421&spn=0.005581,0.013733&t=h&z=16) - looks like it might be a polo ground or similar to me.

[Cubs2jets]

I don't see a jet. Must be camoflaged, eh? :}

C2j

[Tercarley]

Well that is a polo ground along the Henley Shiplake road. What a venom or vampire would be doing there I dont know. Helicopters fly in and out of there all the time though. Along that road opposite where that polo ground is what is laughingly called Henley airport as light a/craft fly in and out of there all the time.

[aseanaero]

maybe it was a 'phantom' ...

[Torque Tonight]

I wasn't imagining it! I had another look a couple of days ago:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/bofns/IMAG0023-1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/bofns/IMAG0023-Copy.jpg

Definitely a Vampire and in Swiss Air Force markings. Funny place to leave it - wonder what it's doing there.

[Bravo73]

FWIW, TT, there used to be a Sea Harrier in the same polo field:

http://www.pprune.org/spectators-balcony-spotters-corner/279479-harrier-park.html

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/290001-harrier-jump-jet-field-berks.html


HTH

[Tercarley]

I lived in Henley for 15 years quite close to the polo ground and I have never seen that! You havent photoshopped it onto the picture have you (joke) as I also cant see it in the first picture you posted.

[Tercarley]

Just remembered the chap that owned that house and polo grounds is a Swiss/German chap, but he does not live there anymore as he has moved to the hills above Henley. He used to own Perpetual Life but its called something else now.

Perhaps thats why the Swiss markings are on the Vampire - perhaps hes left it there so that it can be flown out of there lol!!!!!

[Shar mender]

The Seaharrier you mention in your thread is FA2 ZD582 in 800 Sqdn markings. That was on loan / hire over the period of April2007 to September 2007 the fees going to the Ark childrens charity. Myself and a team of ex Seaharrier engineers moved the aircraft from the owners house near Silverstone to Henley, Reasembled it in more or less the same place as the Vampire, but closer to the viewing stand between the two polo fields. Then collected it in the September and returned it to the owners. I have some pictures of the aircraft one of which was taken when we collected it but I don't know how to attach them to this sight.

[Geezers of Nazareth]

Lots of speculation about the aircraft, but very little hard info ... so I went for a drive.

It is a Vampire FB.6 in Swiss markings, serial number J-1169.

I have done some research into this aircraft, and it was formerly displayed at the main gate of Samedan Airfield in Switzerland.

Looks a little out of place in Henley!
I have a few (poor) photos, taken with my camera phone.

[Torque Tonight]

Thanks for the interesting replies everyone. I look forward to the day when I can park my assorted fast jets on my own polo field!

GofN, please feel free to upload the pictures you took - would be good to get a slightly closer look.

Cheers, TT:ok:

[Adverse Jaw]

Polo field belongs to Urs Schwarzenbach, a very rich Swiss banker

[Tercarley]

Urs S used to own that property but dont know whether he still does as he has left the house and dont know whether he still owns the polo club and field. It is called the Black or Brown Bears team. As I said he now lives in a property in the hills above HOT.

Hew was always in trouble with people in Shiplake for the helicopters coming in to land in his fields. He is a very nice chap to meet socially and is a patrron of the Henley Music Festival - held after the regatta every year for a week.

[Red Snow]

Black Bears - as in URS(bear) SCHWARZ(black)enbach.

Went to have a look at the Vampire today. The white building in the middle of the field looks a bit like a control tower and has the words 'Cresta Run' written on it. No clue why the Vampire is there but my son's classmate's dad works for the polo club and lives on the estate, so will ask!

Indicentally, there is an airstrip and small hangar just the other side of the A-road, visible in the GE image.

[Tercarley]

Known locally as Henley Airport!

[The B Word]

Here is the Sea Harrier - lies at Rowler Manor between RAF Croughton and (ex RAF) Hinton-in-the-Hedges. Here are a couple of photos. I saw it today when I was flying into Hinton.

Sea Harrier...002 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/3801804910/in/photostream/)

Rowler Manor... on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupperware_pilot/3801803794/in/photostream/)

The owner is reputedly an "arms dealer" !