De Havilland Vampire

[CoastieJohn]

Pretty cool story and great video of this one literally blowing the runway apart during takeoff on Sunday.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/militar ... y/?ref=yfp

[Lon Moer]

that tarmac is not jet rated!

[Zac Yates]

It's not rated for anything after that, I imagine!

[Punisher05]

Yeeeeeeeah...I'll be using that video for my Airfield Inspection and Maintenance classes.

Asphalt is technically an oil-based liquid (or "flexible pavement") in the airport world. That's why we try to keep heavy aircraft from stopping on it for any length of time--especially in hot weather. It's useful life is also much shorter than pavement--and when it goes, it goes. Very impressive to see chunks blowing into the air during most of the takeoff run, though he's lucky to have not had a scratch on the bird. You also tend to see those FODing out ahead of time, so he's also quite lucky to have avoided an ingestion.

-Brandon

[Malcolm Hood]

Goblin up the tarmac

[Chris Brame]

^^^ rimshot!

[K5DH]

I used to see Vampires and Venoms at air shows quite often, but I haven't seen one fly in many, many years. I always thought they were pretty cool. Anyone know approximately how many are still operational here in the States? I know there are some in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

[Zac Yates]

In New Zealand we have three airworthy DH jets: two Vampire trainers and a single-seat Venom.

[kalamazookid]

I used to see Vampires and Venoms at air shows quite often, but I haven't seen one fly in many, many years. I always thought they were pretty cool. Anyone know approximately how many are still operational here in the States? I know there are some in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

World Heritage Air Museum in the Detroit area has an airworthy Vampire. They also have one Venom and one on loan, but I don't know their current status.

https://www.worldheritageairmuseum.org/ ... nd-vampire

https://www.worldheritageairmuseum.org/ ... land-venom

Jerry Conley also flies a Vampire regularly at airshows in North America.

http://www.dhvampire.com

[Kyleb]

With Vampires being partially constructed of wood (similar to the Mosquito), why is it that there are still quite a few "original" Vampires flying, and all of the original wooden Mossies were retired due to wood and glue concerns? Did De Havilland develop better glues after the war, or is there something else to credit for the longer service life of the Vampire prior to refurbishment?

[Zac Yates]

I think only the fuselage pod is wooden, but I think the big factor is that the Swiss kept flying them until the early 1990s.

[Lon Moer]

There were two that raced at Reno last year, although only one flew home.

[Blackbirdfan]

There were two that raced at Reno last year, although only one flew home.

The two from Reno last year.





I'm still bummed that Pete had to belly his plane in. The two vampires would have easily gone 1-2 in the jet races. They are hands down the fastest birds around the course.

Will

[phil65]

Will they be back this year ?

Phil

[Blackbirdfan]

Will they be back this year ?

Phil

I think 44 will be back. Not sure about the one that bellied in.

Will