Vampire XD622 up for disposal
 

Did a quick search with no joy, but apologies if this has beed covered previously.
Stumbled on this rather sad looking Vampire for sale today via a link in one of the daily's.
http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads...pire_clean.pdf
I'm sure there must be stories and memories worth recounting from this old lady..

Poor old thing - I gather it once served at RAF Jever in the late 1950s.

Its current state rather reflects the state of the RAF of today.....

They could have at least have had the decency to take the pictures in daylight.

Lot's of fumbling through log books but it doesn't seem to have been at Oakington. The fleet number cannot be seen if it's there so difficult to establish which FTS.

So what are the ATC cadets doing about it? Why are they not raising funds to keep its in good condition:ugh:

Probably in the same boat as many other ATC gate guardians. Being disposed of on central orders as an accounting / HS&E liability.

Lots of frames up for grabs.

Ironic that the PDF file is called .....Vampire_clean.pdf

The aircraft is anything but :(

In better days.... 1980

http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1023024F.jpg

2011

http://www.airport-data.com/images/a...641/641245.jpg

Delivered new to the RAFC and then to 118 Squadron until stored at Shawbury with 27MU . Sorry no specific dates except transferred to 8160M on 2 July 1971 at Church Fenton . Moved to an air cadet squadron near Tadcaster and then to Leeming for possible gate guard duties before arriving at Usworth in April 1982 .

IMHO the Vampire was one of the prettiest aircraft we have produced. Any educated guesses on how much it will go for?

No.. The cockpit pod is wooden I think, so one would imagine looking at that it's got a fair bit of rot in it.

Vampire T11 XD622 for disposal in Sunderland

It would appear they used to look after her until H&s rules got in the way.

Poor old girl.

If I had the money and engineering know-how, I'd buy her on the spot and at least get her back in to a state where she could be displayed in a museum. She's a piece of history that has been left to rot. :-(

I had about 100 hrs on the Mks.III and V on 20 Sqdn '50-'51 and 608 (Aux) Sqdn in '51-'53. Never flew a T.11, but remember the other two as very nice-handling, docile little things with amazing forward visibility (at least to an old tail-dragger !)

Sad to see one like this. Scrap it and have done with it.

D.

Sadly she is even worse than the pictures in the tender show.

Scroll down.

Vampire T11 XD622 for disposal in Sunderland

An accomplished cabinet maker or furnture restorer would have the skill to rebuild the pod. After all it was designed to be built by the furnture trade in the first place. The metal bits are fairly simple and the hood seems to be the important bit.

Not me, but would keep somebody happy in retirement.

I think it would keep them very busy and a lot poorer but "Happy"..... :bored::bored:

I was one of the cadets that helped to restore this plane when the cadets were first given it back in 1984/85

Still exists :)


https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net...55&oe=603963CA

My first ATC squadron had Vampire T11 (XD511) on charge when I joined in the mid 1960's.
Eventually she got rot in the nacelle, then Elfan Safety came along and took out all the instruments due to radium being present.
She was scrapped in the mid to late 1970's I think, with some bits going to a museum.

Sad end!