Wings Over Wairarapa 2011: Post 15 - de Havilland Vampire

With the demise of the much anticipated de Havilland Venom [it had a landing accident the day before the airshow], it was left to the DH115 Mk.55 Trainer Vampire to represent the post-war British jet industry.

ZK-RVM is painted in RNZAF colours, although the registration NZ5712 was never worn by an RNZAF aircraft [the final Vampire has the military registration of NZ5711].

It was good to see this aircraft again, although I'm looking forward to seeing the Venom [hopefully in a couple of years at the next airshow]. On another note - I hear rumour that there might be an ex-RNZAF Strikemaster at the Classic Fighters airshow at Omaka over Easter this year. That would be awesome!