Vampire ejections

[Charlotte Bailey]

This is a long shot, I know. But here we go.
As part of an upcoming 'Vampire Stories' book, I'm collecting anecdotes from those who flew and worked on her (so if you have any, please do message me!)
However, one outstanding chapter hasn't been covered - finding somebody who ejected (or bailed, before the retrofit bang seat in the T.11) from a Vampire in operational service.
Martin-Baker have been very helpful with images, but in respect to data protection rules, can't point me in the direction of anyone on their records.
Any help or leads greatly appreciated!

[H Peacock]

Charlotte. The RAF Vintage Pair Vampire T11 XH304 crashed in May 86, both crew successfully ejected. Their names are easy to find on the interweb!

[Charlotte Bailey]

Ah, where would we be without google.... thanks very much for the heads up, I'll get reading up on it.

[SpazSinbad]

BTW found this old VAMPIRE thread: https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/594142-vampire-rips-up-runway.html

& anotherie: https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/588450-raaf-50th-reunion-5.html

LINK to post about Fred Goodfellow from 1st thread: PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Vampire rips up runway... (https://www.pprune.org/9759433-post47.html)

Sadly this [ejection history] website was very detailed about 'ejection seat history' however it is archived in the WAYBACK MACHINE but sadly it won't allow me access: www.ejection-history.org.uk (http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/) & the WAYBACK MACHINE (for Oz for example): Australia (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20140911203834/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/Australia.htm) UK does not have a link? Anyway there are a few RAAF Vampire ejections noted. The 3 page PDF attached is PRN meaning it has been reprinted to remove extraneous fonts to reduce the file size. LCDR Fred Goodfellow RAN crashed whilst ejecting so he went into the front windshield frame surviving with a broken back. IF you search this forum you will find more detail. I'm investigating more about the WAYBACK ' Project: Get Out & Walk' for Vampire Ejections.

[EngAl]

Charlotte
I've got a picture of XH304 in formation with meteor WA669. If you're interested in it I could scan it in or send a photograph of it.
Regards
EngAl

[wiggy]

Sadly this [ejection history] website was very detailed about 'ejection seat history' however it is archived in the WAYBACK MACHINE but sadly it won't allow me access: www.ejection-history.org.uk (http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/)


That site was an absolute gold mine but it ceased to exist a few years again…….terrible shame because it was an incredible resource.

[Tashengurt]

That site was an absolute gold mine but it ceased to exist a few years again…….terrible shame because it was an incredible resource.

It was a great site. I know the owners wife passed away and he stepped back. It's a shame it wasn't left as a viewable archive though.

[lsh]

If you wish to pm me, I should be able to put you in touch with a Vampire ejectee, who survived despite being outside seat limits.
An interesting story, which he has all packaged-up, with photos.

lsh

[tigershoot]

The Rhodesians used them extensively so maybe ask in the comments section of the many Youtube videos that have been appearing lately from John Van Zyl. He might be able to put you in touch with some experts. Perhaps the last combat loss of a Vampire was the RhAF one in November 1977 when the pilot, Air Lt Haigh was killed. Surely no other air force was using them in combat after this date??

[Charlotte Bailey]

Completely agree, it's a shame it wasn't left for reference.

[SpazSinbad]

The WAYBACK MACHINE has archived some of the Project Get Out & Walk website - for example the Australian section is at the link mentioned above which has some RAAF Vampire ejection information: Australia (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20140911203834/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/Australia.htm)

There are other parts of the 'Project' website however I don't know your particular interest except VAMPIRES. The WAYBACK MACHINE seems to be difficult to navigate while my time to do so is limited along with my own interest which would be SKYHAWKS and I have those pages already.

[brakedwell]

I cannot remember any T11 ejections during my flying training time on Vampires at Swinderby in 1956/7. However a very good friend of mine, who was on the same Piston Provost course at Ternhill and went on to Oakington suffered a flame out in a Vampire FB5. He could not relight it, so he decided to carry out a forced landing in the flat country side. Just before touch down he put both feet up on the instrument paned and waited for the Vampire to come to a stop. He said there was nothing left of balsa wood nose, which saved both of his legs. Unfortunately he then left the RAF and joined the BBC, where he eventually became a successful producer.

[Just a spotter]

There was an ejection from an Irish Air Corps Vampire T.55 in 1961.

From An Cosantóir, the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces

An Cosantóir - October 2011 (http://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/43202-october-2011/25?)

JAS

[SpazSinbad]

Thanks JAS - two page PDF of the article attached.

[Quietplease]

Sir James Martin by Sarah Sharman ISBN 1-85260-551-0 lists the first 6502 ejections with names and a/c type.

[SpazSinbad]

Thanks QP. Meanwhile this link will give a list by informative URL of the pages available for the PGO&W website archived on the WAYbentMachina:
Wayback Machine (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/*)
___________________

Perhaps :-) this URL more useful: Project Get Out and Walk - Contents (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20140712110830/http://ejection-history.org.uk/0000/contents01.htm)
&
years (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20150108045530/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/project/year_table.htm) [b]Ejections and Bale-Outs by Year [so I selected 1961 for the IRISH LAD]
to:
1961: 2005 (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20141112092526/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/PROJECT/YEAR_Pages/1961.htm)
to: IRISH entry then a T11 RAF in 04 Sep 1961 example entry
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1644x765/irishvampejectionmay1961pgo_wwayback_8b6c326dbbfa71ceca4c9a6 fbb12889cb7970461.gif
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1470x234/t11vamprafeject04sep1961pgo_wwaybackentry_8b495a3dbc831cd43a 2526bf1e380d14f3cc4804.gif

[SpazSinbad]

PDF page attached made with LIVE LINKS per year as seen on this page: years (archive.org) (https://web.archive.org/web/20150108045530/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/project/year_table.htm)

[Fixed Cross]

Hi Charlotte,

I was one of the founder members of the Vintage Pair along with the late Sqn Ldr Bruce McDonald - but I never ejected fortunately. If I can provide you with any relevant information I am at your disposal.

George L;ee

[Charlotte Bailey]

What a wonderful resource!

[Four Turbo]

Two T11s, both solo students, collided on the Cranwell approach in 1959. I remember being on the funeral parade, so at least one did not make it. Could be the 17 April entry on the above records.

[esa-aardvark]

Not ejection. I worked with a guy who took his Vampire through
the sea wall at St Athan. Where might that incident have been recorded ?

[SpazSinbad]

Year/date will be helpful to find the accident in this database: UK Serials (http://www.ukserials.com/) [click on 'LOSSES' at top of page]

UK Military Aircraft Losses (http://www.ukserials.com/losses_index.htm)

Then BY TYPE will have a cross reference at the bottom of the LOSSES page :

Cross Reference by Type and Serial (http://www.ukserials.com/losses_xref.htm)

28 page PDF attached has live URL links to YEAR with the Cross Reference by Type & Serial pages added.

[goofer3]

Two T11s, both solo students, collided on the Cranwell approach in 1959. I remember being on the funeral parade, so at least one did not make it. Could be the 17 April entry on the above records.
The Vampire crash on the 7th April, 1959 from CFS was T11 XK631. Crashed at Dedstone Water killing a cow. The crew baled out over Bromyard, Herts, due to engine fire.
The fatal MAC was on 31st January, 1959 when FB9 WR194 had just taken off from Cranwell and was struck by T11 XE936 which had not called up prior to joining the circuit. Both aircraft crashed killing the 3 crew.

[condor17]

The Rhodesians used them extensively so maybe ask in the comments section of the many Youtube videos that have been appearing lately from John Van Zyl. He might be able to put you in touch with some experts. Perhaps the last combat loss of a Vampire was the RhAF one in November 1977 when the pilot, Air Lt Haigh was killed. Surely no other air force was using them in combat after this date??

Phillip Haigh and family were friends of my mother . Managed to take mum out to see them in Gwelo in '76 when he was on 'Lynx' [ C337 push me pull yous].
Short news info in Telegraph at the time . Never sure if a flame out or combat damage , and ended up in a Wadi . Again not sure if ejection tried or not able to .
Phillip was ex RAF , got as far as Lightning OCU , before leaving . Was a bad time aviation jobs [ I was redeployed then ] .

rgds condor .

[Video Mixdown]

The Vampire crash on the 7th April, 1959 from CFS was T11 XK631. Crashed at Dedstone Water killing a cow. The crew baled out over Bromyard, Herts, due to engine fire.
If this event is likely to be mentioned in a book, it might be worth noting:
Bromyard is in Herefordshire, not Hertfordshire (Herts). There is no place called 'Dedstone Water'. It's presumably a mis-spelling of Tedstone Wafer, a small village near Bromyard.