It was a pair of T11’s ( I know now) doing aerobatics in the direction of RAF Newton (I know now) , that hooked me on ‘planes’ -as a very small child in Edwalton! Beautiful in a majestic summer sky! 1958/59. The first of many parental grumbles over cold dinners!
I remember 2 of these playing tic-tac-toe way up in the clear blue sky above out town in the late 50's or early 60's here in NZ, I was in primary school in recess so everyone was watching.. Am 70 now but have always remembered this day. Safe travels. Ken.
Thanks Ken interesting feedback much appreciated. Not sure if you are subscribed but forgive me for asking. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
These (the T-11 /T-55 variant) were used by the Irish Air Corps from 1956 untill 1977 and there is still one on display hanging from the ceiling in the "soldiers and chiefs" exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland....formerly Collins army barrackis in Dublin.@GULLPERCHFLYER
I saw one which crashed on Balmedie Beach circa 4/5 miles North of Aberdeen . That must have been around 1956 . It seemed to ‘backfire’ and then lost height and landed on the beach . It was based at RAF Dyce .
The sound of squadrons of vampires roaming the skies of the Western Cape (South Africa) in the sixties, from Langebaan Road Airbase, still fixed on my mind! What a sound, what a beautiful aeroplane!
Many thanks for your feedback from South Africa very much appreciated. Please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
It's interesting how DH aircraft always had that "form follows function" kind of beauty, and very cool to see the "wooden wonder" heritage of the Mosquito and Hornet being used successfully in a jet!
Many thanks for that, copyright often prevents the use of film footage from good films sadly. Do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
It's interesting how DH aircraft always had that "form follows function" kind of beauty, and very cool to see the "wooden wonder" heritage of the Mosquito and Hornet being used successfully in a jet! It struck me that, with its size, construction, and overall simplicity, that it would be a good candidate for a private aircraft, albeit with a newer engine type, if one could find a way to put a bit of a 'bump' in the fuselage to accommodate a turbofan engine...what fun that thing would be!
Great documentary! A slippery airframe by the looks of the trailing edge speedbrakes and the large split flaps. (Split flaps were invented by Orville Wright - not a lot of people know that 😀).
Many thanks, as I recall Anthony Squire the director acquired an Avro Lancaster to use in the film as well. Chris. Do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
That's quite interesting, Chris, because the exact same number 74 vampire is hanging up on my ceiling in my room. I always debated whether it was a vampire or not because I never remembered if it was a two seater or a single seat. Thank you for taking the time to make these amazing videos 🛩
They sure are neat little jets , last September I had the chance to get my hands on a airworthy vampire and a sea venom and inspect every sq inch. It's always been a favorite of mine and I'm a round engine guy
I met the late Ed Stead in Manchester New Hampshire (1995) who had recently bought one from the very same outfit you mentioned at Bournemouth Airport and had it shipped over (along with a single seat hunter) He kindly took me up for memorable flight - we even did a low flypast a local US Army Air Base - many of the personnel lined up to watch us whizz by. I remember the need to run high revs on approach with full flaps extended. Still have a big grin thinking about it. Loved the video - Learnt a lot.
that's mighty impressive tarmac-lifting, good way to get ready for resurfacing ! You've done a vreat job of collecting interesting footage, and our thanks to those who contributed!
Well put together and presented. I still have a lot of respect for Eric Winkel Brown! A lot machine and such a skilled flyer are hard to emulate! Tdonddhank you for reminding me of the work done by such talented techs and Mechs. Thank you!
As a small boy I used to visit my maternal grandparents at Hatfield around 1947, Vampires were regularly seen in the air there, presumably testing. After one high-speed flyby at a high angle of bank my grandfather solemnly declared “That’s John Cunningham” (DH test pilot).
Thanks Anthony you may like to follow me on facebook I posted up a bit about Group Captain John Cunningham a few days ago, 'gull perch' ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
@@GULLPERCHFLYER The mosquito and the Meteor we're used for target towing over Pembray West Wales and the last Vampire was used for Airport Fire training.
Thank you for another great video. As a boy the vampire was one of my favourite aeroplanes along with the Vulcan and DC3. The RNZAF flew them and one of my sister’s friends flew them, possibly also in the Malayan emergency. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
@@GULLPERCHFLYER yes I have subscribed, a while ago. Have a look at the video about the opening of Wellington Airport in 1959, the video is about fifteen minutes long and covers the three near accidents that day, one being the vampire display.
interesting vid, these and the later sea vixens were built here in DH at Christchurch in Dorset. I can still remember the roar of the engines being tested ,there is just a small section of the original DH factory left.
Gull Perch !. Haven't subscribed in ages. Float plane ?. Great video on Vampires a beautiful plane. You must have noticed the Mercedes estate crossing thè runway as Vampire comes in to land. Swiss eh. 😮😊. Thanks/regards. Dave
In Australia, De Havilland built 80 single seat (110 dual) aircraft at their Bankstown factory, with the first Australian built aircraft flying for the first time in June 1949. The single seat aircraft were powered by Rolls Royce Nene engines, built under license by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in Melbourne. These were the first jet engines built in Australia
Many thanks for your very interesting feedback about Vampire production in Australia. Be appreciated if you can subscribe to my channel. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
In the early 1970s, I was working at the Executive Jet Centre, when a strange-looking aircraft came taxying onto our hard-standing at Heathrow. It was obviously a much-modified DH Vampire with several windows along a much-extended nose section. Clearly, this was a private executive aircraft.😊
That sounds very interesting, I wonder what became of the aircraft. Do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I found an article in a copy of "Flight" from maybe the late forties mabey the early fifties. The journalist, a pilot, was allowed to fly solo in a Vampire, never having flown a jet before.
Many thanks as far as I know the first two seat Vampire training version, the Vampire T11, first flew in 1950 and served in Britain until 1968. Do please ponder subscribing to my channel. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Thanks. According to YT I am already subscribed. I remember as a kid in the early 1950's there were Vampires to be seen in the sky almost every day.
My first posting as an 18yo out of training was to a flying training school. The Vampire was a nice jet, but in 1963 had a few problems. There was a few months when the canopies would jettison themselves. Most unnerving particularly if the trainee pilot was flying solo! I understand that a few Lincolnshire farmers used the canopies as cloches. That may or may not be true. I was in the runway caravan one day, when a pilot stated 3 greens but hadn't put his wheels down! A warning veri pistol was fired just in time as the plane was only around 12 inches from the runway before the engine spooled enough up to go around again. Good times.
Many thanks for taking the time to post your memories from back in the sixties. Please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Remember Vampires flying in NZ and years later a Mr Smith in Mapua NZ passed now but left his life collection of aircraft including a de Havland Mosquito in good hands for restoration including a crated up Vampire jet engine. UPDATE - Mosquito restored in 4 year project and will fly this Easter at 'War Birds Over Wanaka' before being dismantled crated and shipped to new owner in America.
Chris, maybe you shpuld have mentioned the DH 112 Venom? This was the development of the Vampire with the DH Ghost engine, swept wing and thinner chord. It replaced the Vampire in RAF service and served as the Sea Venom in RN Service. Worth a look perhaps?
Thanks John its interesting how these films develop, I spent several weeks researching the Vampire alone and I did look at a few other types especially when Winkle Brown made the first carrier take off and landing. Its often easy to branch off and then if I am not careful lose focus, I will take a look at the Venom and see what footage is out there. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER subscribed :) I saw him the other week he said he just missed out on the rocketry and he did mainly air to air gunnery. When asked what plane he wished he could have flown he, like so many other ex RAF from That period right through to the 80s, said he wished he could have flown a spitfire! He was a kid during the war and just missed out by a few years but he saw the dog fights overhead and it must have lit a fire inside him to become a pilot. He took my dad up in a string bag a couple of times and he said to the purists that is ‘real flying’ Although for me, being powered by a jet and doing several hundred mph sounds more exciting 😏
For anyone interested in seeing one of these vampire’s in real life. There is one, in the park, in a small town called Wingham (Taree NSW) It was placed there in 1971 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Australian airforce.
The first time I saw the Australian Vampire and Sea Venom up close, I thought, 'Well I'll be buggered, De-Havilland are still making them with plywood, like the Mosquito'. Both were made under licence here in Australia. We got the Goblin engine first because the UK always sends it's rubbish down under first. Been doing in since the Convicts. We did receive the Gibb Brothers (Bee Gees) and the Youngs (Easybeats and AC-DC) so some good came from the '£10 Poms' after the war. There is a Vampire fixed to a pole in Wingham, NSW, outside a Returned Servicemen Club. I often look at it and wonder how long it will be before the club is offered a vast sum of money to sell it to someone who wants to restore it.
Yes that would be far better than landing in an Oak Wood on Brill hill breaking up into three bits after Engine Fire on take off ... ex of Oakley OTU ... just down the road from Thame lol ...
at the age of 8yrs around 1955 i lived in punchbowl nsw australia. not far from bankstown airport. coming home from school one afternoon i was shocked by a very load bang which landed me on my bum. the bankstown times news paper had a report of a vampire jet breaking the sound barrier in a dive over bankstown aiport . i will never forget this but i have never been able to confirm this. please let me know if anyone knows about this.
Researching I find it is possible the DH 108 Swallow may have broken the sound barrier and a Vampire may also got to this speed but not under test conditions as far as I can find. Chris. Do please have a subscribe to my channel. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Many thanks Gursharan I hope you enjoyed my short film please be kind enough to consider subscribing to my channel. Chris ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Yes those Vampires were very much there in active role with Indian Air Force, in large numbers, during 1965 war with Pakistan. I have seen them patrolling the sky of Kolkata(Calcutta)and surrounding areas from the Air Force base of Palta, at Barrackpore area of West Bengal. Their whistling sound was something different. As they were no match against F86 Sabre & after lose of four Vampire at Chamb area, they were withdrawn immediately in favour of Mystere Mk IV & Folland Gnat( the great little warplane).
I don't understand why single engined jet aircraft were considered inadequate in the early days, because the thrust of these engines exceeded the thrust put out by a Merlin. I think that it was more a case of the width of the engines creating problems with installation, plus the exhaust heat and turbulence affecting the tail fins.
Interesting Colin jus been reading about Frank Whittle, The Whittle engine first flew on the Gloster E28 in 1939. Chris. Please subscribe Colin. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
well done lovely plane ps one of the irish vampires had a two seat ejection one seat fired and the canopy. the plane landed ok the canopy was found later the student pilot was ok
Yes the ME 262 was faster than the Meteor and the Vampire, yes my headline should have included single engine jet as both the 262 and the Meteor were twin engine jets, right at the start of my film I do make it clear the Vampire was the first single engine jet aircraft to exceed 500mph. Chris. Please have a subscribe and watch the film. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Thanks John I find it interesting out of a 19 minute film which took me several weeks to research and edit together your single comment is ' all metal design' which in my audio was directly followed by an explanation of the construction which stated the Vampire had a timber cockpit, this included much metal both in the canopy and the internal supports for the panel and pilot seats, the wings and tail boom were metal. Chris.
Yes while i worked in Switzerland 1970/71 ... Also the RNZAF they used fly up our valley to the off shore bombing and firing range .. additionally about 1957/8 at an open day i sat in one at a local air base ... . ... my father witnessed a jet when landing on an air base because of bad weather ... during a cross country low level exercise in a Wellington ... 😮 😂😂😂
Thanks Joseph please check out my channel I made a short film about a Wellington landing wheels up at RAF Bolt Head Salcombe in Devon in 1946. ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
The Vampire is single engine, the Me 262 has two engines, please have a subscribe to my channel and check out my other films, 'gull perch flyer' Chris.
Sadly I saw a Vampire and Meteor mid air collision at an airshow at RAF Mildenhall (UK US airforce base) They flew as the Vintage Pair.
Interesting and sad to hear Edward. Chris.
It was a pair of T11’s ( I know now) doing aerobatics in the direction of RAF Newton (I know now) , that hooked me on ‘planes’ -as a very small child in Edwalton! Beautiful in a majestic summer sky! 1958/59. The first of many parental grumbles over cold dinners!
Interesting Paul, do please ponder subscribing. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
1957 or thereabouts, we ATC NCOs got rides in Sea Venoms (side-by-side Vampire) at RAF Thorney Island). Wonderful!
Thanks Roger sounds like happy days. Chris.
I remember 2 of these playing tic-tac-toe way up in the clear blue sky above out town in the late 50's or early 60's here in NZ, I was in primary school in recess so everyone was watching.. Am 70 now but have always remembered this day. Safe travels. Ken.
Thanks Ken interesting feedback much appreciated. Not sure if you are subscribed but forgive me for asking. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
These (the T-11 /T-55 variant) were used by the Irish Air Corps from 1956 untill 1977 and there is still one on display hanging from the ceiling in the "soldiers and chiefs" exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland....formerly Collins army barrackis in Dublin.@GULLPERCHFLYER
Saw them flying in south africa at waterkloof afb
Thanks Nico hopefully you can subscribe. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I saw one which crashed on Balmedie Beach circa 4/5 miles North of Aberdeen . That must have been around 1956 . It seemed to ‘backfire’ and then lost height and landed on the beach . It was based at RAF Dyce .
Appreciate your interesting feedback George. Chris.
Looks like that tarmac was laid by the same gang responsible for most of the roads in the UK!
Not wrong there Bob, do check out some of my other films.
Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Will do.
Made by immigrants
The sound of squadrons of vampires roaming the skies of the Western Cape (South Africa) in the sixties, from Langebaan Road Airbase, still fixed on my mind! What a sound, what a beautiful aeroplane!
Many thanks for your feedback from South Africa very much appreciated. Please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Along with the P-51 Mustang, the DH-100 Vampire is one of the prettiest airplanes ever built.
The Vampire is a neat looking aircraft for sure. Chris.
Do please have a subscribe to my channel.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
It's interesting how DH aircraft always had that "form follows function" kind of beauty, and very cool to see the "wooden wonder" heritage of the Mosquito and Hornet being used successfully in a jet!
The Vampire is a neat looking aircraft. Chris.
Lots of Vampire footage in the British 1954 film "Conflict of wings"
Many thanks for that, copyright often prevents the use of film footage from good films sadly. Do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
My service record states me to be a specialist on the T11. They were used for jet training at RAF Valley in the early 1960’s.
Thanks Michael very interesting, please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Done!
It's interesting how DH aircraft always had that "form follows function" kind of beauty, and very cool to see the "wooden wonder" heritage of the Mosquito and Hornet being used successfully in a jet!
It struck me that, with its size, construction, and overall simplicity, that it would be a good candidate for a private aircraft, albeit with a newer engine type, if one could find a way to put a bit of a 'bump' in the fuselage to accommodate a turbofan engine...what fun that thing would be!
You are right there. Chris.
Great documentary! A slippery airframe by the looks of the trailing edge speedbrakes and the large split flaps. (Split flaps were invented by Orville Wright - not a lot of people know that 😀).
Glad you enjoyed it Roger please consider subscribing. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
En republica dominicana hubo vampiros,conoci un gran piloto de vampiro y p51,el general juan n folch perez,un gran señor
Muchas gracias por tus interesantes comentarios, suscríbete a mi canal Chris.
As I recall, the Vampire was in the Brit. movie Breaking the Sound Barrier.
Many thanks, as I recall Anthony Squire the director acquired an Avro Lancaster to use in the film as well. Chris.
Do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
That's quite interesting, Chris, because the exact same number 74 vampire is hanging up on my ceiling in my room. I always debated whether it was a vampire or not because I never remembered if it was a two seater or a single seat. Thank you for taking the time to make these amazing videos 🛩
Appreciate that feedback. Very Best Chris.
They sure are neat little jets , last September I had the chance to get my hands on a airworthy vampire and a sea venom and inspect every sq inch. It's always been a favorite of mine and I'm a round engine guy
Thanks Stuart glad it was of interest. Chris.
One of my favourite aircraft, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed the film John. Chris.
I met the late Ed Stead in Manchester New Hampshire (1995) who had recently bought one from the very same outfit you mentioned at Bournemouth Airport and had it shipped over (along with a single seat hunter) He kindly took me up for memorable flight - we even did a low flypast a local US Army Air Base - many of the personnel lined up to watch us whizz by. I remember the need to run high revs on approach with full flaps extended. Still have a big grin thinking about it. Loved the video - Learnt a lot.
That is an interesting account Philip, do please have a subscribe. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I am designing and building a T 11 Vampire radio controlled plane and your video is enormously helpful and enjoyable .
Glad it was helpful Chuck. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I'v definitely enjoyed this video...
Many thanks Andy appreciate your kind feedback. Chris.
Excellent coverage UK.
Many Thanks David. Do please ponder subscribing it would be very much appreciated. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Nice historical tour Chris, thanks.
Thanks Steve glad you enjoyed the film. Chris.
that's mighty impressive tarmac-lifting, good way to get ready for resurfacing ! You've done a vreat job of collecting interesting footage, and our thanks to those who contributed!
Thank you very much please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Also for drying the runway or clearing snow
As you said Super Scenery !
A really nice review !
Glad you enjoyed it Rathlin. Best Regards. Chris.
Well put together and presented. I still have a lot of respect for Eric Winkel Brown! A lot machine and such a skilled flyer are hard to emulate! Tdonddhank you for reminding me of the work done by such talented techs and Mechs. Thank you!
Much appreciated Kerry please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
As a small boy I used to visit my maternal grandparents at Hatfield around 1947, Vampires were regularly seen in the air there, presumably testing. After one high-speed flyby at a high angle of bank my grandfather solemnly declared “That’s John Cunningham” (DH test pilot).
Thanks Anthony you may like to follow me on facebook I posted up a bit about Group Captain John Cunningham a few days ago, 'gull perch'
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Hi Chris I remember them well at Exeter in the early 60s also the mosquito and meteor.
That's interesting Hefin. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER The mosquito and the Meteor we're used for target towing over Pembray West Wales and the last Vampire was used for Airport Fire training.
A beautiful aircraft, Chris. Thanks for the amazing footage you put together 👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks for watching along Kevin. Chris.
Thank you for another great video. As a boy the vampire was one of my favourite aeroplanes along with the Vulcan and DC3. The RNZAF flew them and one of my sister’s friends flew them, possibly also in the Malayan emergency. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
Glad you enjoyed it Scott hopefully you can subscribe. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
@@GULLPERCHFLYER yes I have subscribed, a while ago. Have a look at the video about the opening of Wellington Airport in 1959, the video is about fifteen minutes long and covers the three near accidents that day, one being the vampire display.
interesting vid, these and the later sea vixens were built here in DH at Christchurch in Dorset. I can still remember the roar of the engines being tested ,there is just a small section of the original DH factory left.
Many thanks Phillip appreciate your feedback, do please check out my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I can remember these flying over Sek Kong to and from RAF Sek Kongin the mid 50’s.
Thanks for your interesting feedback, be great if you could have a subscribe. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Gull Perch !. Haven't subscribed in ages. Float plane ?. Great video on Vampires a beautiful plane. You must have noticed the Mercedes estate crossing thè runway as Vampire comes in to land. Swiss eh. 😮😊. Thanks/regards. Dave
Hello Dave yes that was at St. Stephan, in the Swiss Alps. Chris.
In Australia, De Havilland built 80 single seat (110 dual) aircraft at their Bankstown factory, with the first Australian built aircraft flying for the first time in June 1949. The single seat aircraft were powered by Rolls Royce Nene engines, built under license by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in Melbourne. These were the first jet engines built in Australia
Many thanks for your very interesting feedback about Vampire production in Australia. Be appreciated if you can subscribe to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I remember number 74 on the ramp at Manchester Airport, Plus St Albans aeronautical college had three of them !
Appreciate your feedback William do please ponder subscribing to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
In the early 1970s, I was working at the Executive Jet Centre, when a strange-looking aircraft came taxying onto our hard-standing at Heathrow. It was obviously a much-modified DH Vampire with several windows along a much-extended nose section. Clearly, this was a private executive aircraft.😊
That sounds very interesting, I wonder what became of the aircraft.
Do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
I found an article in a copy of "Flight" from maybe the late forties mabey the early fifties. The journalist, a pilot, was allowed to fly solo in a Vampire, never having flown a jet before.
Many thanks as far as I know the first two seat Vampire training version, the Vampire T11, first flew in 1950 and served in Britain until 1968.
Do please ponder subscribing to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Thanks. According to YT I am already subscribed. I remember as a kid in the early 1950's there were Vampires to be seen in the sky almost every day.
Very Good.
Great video.
Cheers
Glad you enjoyed it Ian. All the Best Chris.
My first posting as an 18yo out of training was to a flying training school. The Vampire was a nice jet, but in 1963 had a few problems. There was a few months when the canopies would jettison themselves. Most unnerving particularly if the trainee pilot was flying solo! I understand that a few Lincolnshire farmers used the canopies as cloches. That may or may not be true. I was in the runway caravan one day, when a pilot stated 3 greens but hadn't put his wheels down! A warning veri pistol was fired just in time as the plane was only around 12 inches from the runway before the engine spooled enough up to go around again. Good times.
Many thanks for taking the time to post your memories from back in the sixties.
Please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Remember Vampires flying in NZ and years later a Mr Smith in Mapua NZ passed now but left his life collection of aircraft including a de Havland Mosquito in good hands for restoration including a crated up Vampire jet engine.
UPDATE - Mosquito restored in 4 year project and will fly this Easter at 'War Birds Over Wanaka' before being dismantled crated and shipped to new owner in America.
Very interesting Richard I have some films on Mosquitoes on my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Chris, maybe you shpuld have mentioned the DH 112 Venom? This was the development of the Vampire with the DH Ghost engine, swept wing and thinner chord. It replaced the Vampire in RAF service and served as the Sea Venom in RN Service. Worth a look perhaps?
Thanks John its interesting how these films develop, I spent several weeks researching the Vampire alone and I did look at a few other types especially when Winkle Brown made the first carrier take off and landing. Its often easy to branch off and then if I am not careful lose focus, I will take a look at the Venom and see what footage is out there. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER sorry yes, it does take a lot of research - just a mention though like the Jav and Hunter received 🙂
A very good video
Glad you enjoyed it Brian. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
Having graduated from Tiger Moths, Harvards and Meteors the Vampire was the final aircraft my father flew in the early 50’s.
Many thanks for your interesting feedback Ray, please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
ruclips.net/channel/UCOh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ
My great uncle flew these, then onto the venom and then the hunter ❤
Quite some career then back in the 50' and 60's.
Please have a subscribe. Chris.
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@@GULLPERCHFLYER subscribed :) I saw him the other week he said he just missed out on the rocketry and he did mainly air to air gunnery.
When asked what plane he wished he could have flown he, like so many other ex RAF from That period right through to the 80s, said he wished he could have flown a spitfire!
He was a kid during the war and just missed out by a few years but he saw the dog fights overhead and it must have lit a fire inside him to become a pilot.
He took my dad up in a string bag a couple of times and he said to the purists that is ‘real flying’
Although for me, being powered by a jet and doing several hundred mph sounds more exciting 😏
For anyone interested in seeing one of these vampire’s in real life. There is one, in the park, in a small town called Wingham (Taree NSW)
It was placed there in 1971 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Australian airforce.
Many Thanks do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
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The first time I saw the Australian Vampire and Sea Venom up close, I thought, 'Well I'll be buggered, De-Havilland are still making them with plywood, like the Mosquito'. Both were made under licence here in Australia. We got the Goblin engine first because the UK always sends it's rubbish down under first. Been doing in since the Convicts. We did receive the Gibb Brothers (Bee Gees) and the Youngs (Easybeats and AC-DC) so some good came from the '£10 Poms' after the war. There is a Vampire fixed to a pole in Wingham, NSW, outside a Returned Servicemen Club. I often look at it and wonder how long it will be before the club is offered a vast sum of money to sell it to someone who wants to restore it.
Many Thanks for your very interesting feedback, please consider subscribing to my channel. Chris.
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Super movie!
Thanks Graham do ponder subscribing . Chris.
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@@GULLPERCHFLYER subscribed some time ago. Great channel.
Thanks Graham. Chris.
Yes that would be far better than landing in an Oak Wood on Brill hill breaking up into three bits after Engine Fire on take off ... ex of Oakley OTU ... just down the road from Thame lol ...
Interesting Joseph please check out my other channel films and have a subscribe. Chris.
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at the age of 8yrs around 1955 i lived in punchbowl nsw australia. not far from bankstown airport. coming home from school one afternoon i was shocked by a very load bang which landed me on my bum. the bankstown times news paper had a report of a vampire jet breaking the sound barrier in a dive over bankstown aiport . i will never forget this but i have never been able to confirm this. please let me know if anyone knows about this.
Researching I find it is possible the DH 108 Swallow may have broken the sound barrier and a Vampire may also got to this speed but not under test conditions as far as I can find. Chris.
Do please have a subscribe to my channel.
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Sir the vampires were also part of Indian Air Force fleet and I am a witness to its flying during the 70's when I was a in 5th standard.
Many thanks Gursharan I hope you enjoyed my short film please be kind enough to consider subscribing to my channel. Chris
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Yes those Vampires were very much there in active role with Indian Air Force, in large numbers, during 1965 war with Pakistan. I have seen them patrolling the sky of Kolkata(Calcutta)and surrounding areas from the Air Force base of Palta, at Barrackpore area of West Bengal. Their whistling sound was something different. As they were no match against F86 Sabre & after lose of four Vampire at Chamb area, they were withdrawn immediately in favour of Mystere Mk IV & Folland Gnat( the great little warplane).
Which swiss base has that show with the vintage aircraft? Is it the same one that has the famous "Jets Crossing" sign on the road?
St Stephan in the Swiss Alps. Chris.
I don't understand why single engined jet aircraft were considered inadequate in the early days, because the thrust of these engines exceeded the thrust put out by a Merlin. I think that it was more a case of the width of the engines creating problems with installation, plus the exhaust heat and turbulence affecting the tail fins.
Interesting Colin jus been reading about Frank Whittle, The Whittle engine first flew on the Gloster E28 in 1939. Chris.
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well done lovely plane ps one of the irish vampires had a two seat ejection one seat fired and the canopy. the plane landed ok the canopy was found later the student pilot was ok
Wow amazing event thanks for posting up. Chris.
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Surely the ME262 was easily doing 500 plus in about 1943/4
Yes the ME 262 was faster than the Meteor and the Vampire, yes my headline should have included single engine jet as both the 262 and the Meteor were twin engine jets, right at the start of my film I do make it clear the Vampire was the first single engine jet aircraft to exceed 500mph. Chris.
Please have a subscribe and watch the film.
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@@GULLPERCHFLYER no worries,, its not a hanging offence
Irelands first jets two seaters
Thanks Gerry do please have a subscribe to my channel. Chris.
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‘All metal’ design?
Thanks John I find it interesting out of a 19 minute film which took me several weeks to research and edit together your single comment is ' all metal design' which in my audio was directly followed by an explanation of the construction which stated the Vampire had a timber cockpit, this included much metal both in the canopy and the internal supports for the panel and pilot seats, the wings and tail boom were metal. Chris.
The rear of the plane must have gotten quite hot🤔
Interesting where the engine thrust tears up the runway, please subscribe Tom. Chris.
Yes while i worked in Switzerland 1970/71 ...
Also the RNZAF they used fly up our valley to the off shore bombing and firing range .. additionally about 1957/8 at an open day i sat in one at a local air base ... .
... my father witnessed a jet when landing on an air base because of bad weather ... during a cross country low level exercise in a Wellington ... 😮 😂😂😂
Thanks Joseph please check out my channel I made a short film about a Wellington landing wheels up at RAF Bolt Head Salcombe in Devon in 1946.
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Many thanks please subscribe. Chris.
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The german Me 262 has a max speed of 540 mph!
... with the much better axial engine (Anselm Franz)
The Vampire is single engine, the Me 262 has two engines, please have a subscribe to my channel and check out my other films, 'gull perch flyer' Chris.
Maybe but the Me 262 had two engines and the Vampire one. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER ok and I do it.Paul :)
When Britain ruled the skyes.
Much appreciated and very true. Chris.
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