Vampire ejections
 

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!

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!

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

BTW found this old VAMPIRE thread: https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...up-runway.html

& anotherie: https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...reunion-5.html

LINK to post about Fred Goodfellow from 1st thread: PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Vampire rips up runway...

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 & the WAYBACK MACHINE (for Oz for example): Australia (archive.org) 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.

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

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.

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

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??

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

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)

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.

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.

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

JAS

Thanks JAS - two page PDF of the article attached.

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

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) [bleedin' useless UNTIL BINGO! see below]
___________________

Perhaps :-) this URL more useful: Project Get Out and Walk - Contents (archive.org)
&
years (archive.org) Ejections and Bale-Outs by Year [so I selected 1961 for the IRISH LAD]
to:
1961: 2005 (archive.org)
to: IRISH entry then a T11 RAF in 04 Sep 1961 example entry
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....9cb7970461.gif
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....14f3cc4804.gif

PDF page attached made with LIVE LINKS per year as seen on this page: years (archive.org)

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

What a wonderful resource!

Vampire ejections
 

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.