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Ex-Indian
Air Force De Havilland Vampire FB52 IB-1686 at the 'SpruceGoose'
Evergreen Aviation Museum in Oregon!. Photo Courtesy: www.shanaberger.com
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Visitors to the Evergreen museum in Oregon would never have
a clue that the single seater De Havilland FB52 Vampire jet fighter on restoration there
is an Ex Indian Air Force Veteran - with the serial IB-1686
It is one of 4 Vampires imported into the US by
Lance Aircraft Supplies of Texas . This Vampire is/was owned by Don
Fitzgerald of Portland Oregon. Don was having trouble with the FAA as he had
no paperwork with the aircraft.
| As with most Vampires in the
Indian Subcontinent, IB-1686 seems to have gone extensive restoration of
the forward cockpit area ahead of the engine firewall. Photo Courtesy: www.shanaberger.com |
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IB-1686 's front view reveals
the Cannon gun ports and the drop tanks under its wings. Photo Courtesy: www.shanaberger.com |
Another Vampire in the USA is IB-882 with Reid
Moorhead of Alhambra California. Reid got this upto taxiable
condition at Chino with the help of Jim Kerr. Vampire IB-427 is at Albert France. Finally
a two seater Vampire T55 BY-385 is owned by Allen Dunn and Frank Kirchoff Willmington De.
The status of this aircraft is not known.
| Aircraft Type |
Serial No |
Current
Location |
| Vampire FB52 |
IB-1638 |
Evergreen Museum, Oregon |
| Vampire FB52 |
IB-882 |
Alhambra CA |
| Vampire FB52 |
IB-427 |
Albert France |
| Vampire T55 |
BY-385 |
Willmington DE |
Sources:
1. Vampire Registry at Warbirds Resource Group.
2. Vampire IB-1686 photographs from www.shanaberger.com
3. Email from Paul Mc Millan - info from Air Britain.
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