1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

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Stefan
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1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by Stefan »

Hi,

We have received the following request;
This is quite a long-shot and I really hope that you can help me? We are currently preparing an item to co-incide with the No.16 Squadron, RAF Association meeting next year and we hope to resolve a question that has gone unanswered for the last sixty years.

On 15 August 1953, No.16 Squadron sent a formation aerobatic display team from Celle to Leeuwarden to take part in that year’s airshow. What was special about the team was that its four Vampire fighters debuted a colour scheme, which was specially devised for the show. This scheme was an exotic combination of silver, black and red.

The problem is that no-one can recall the serial numbers of the four squadron Vampires which appeared at Leeuwarden on that day and, at the risk of imposing upon your patience and generosity, I wonder if there is a record, log, etc., of all the individual aircraft which took part in the event? Even if you could direct me to someone who could help with the show would be a great help to your search?

Thank you in advance for any help that you can provide.
Anyone able and willing to help?

Regards,
Stefan
roberto
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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by roberto »

From the milspotters DB, the only 4 RAF Vampires on that day
15-08-1953 VZ836 Vampire FB.5 94 Sq. RAFG
15-08-1953 VZ842 Vampire FB.5 94 Sq. RAFG
15-08-1953 WA226? Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG
15-08-1953 VV444? Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG
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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by Cloudhopper »

Ik krijg er nog eentje meer uit de milspotters database:
15-08-1953 VV469 Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG tbv luchtvaartdag.4x(aerobatic team)
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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by Vampiredave »

Cloudhopper: Do you have any more information on the Vampire serials of the aerobatic team as I think that VV469 is definitely one of the 16 Squadron team? Is there a link to the database link you mention?
Cloudhopper wrote:Ik krijg er nog eentje meer uit de milspotters database:
15-08-1953 VV469 Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG tbv luchtvaartdag.4x(aerobatic team)
Roberto: the two serials WA226 and VV444 are from 16 Squadron. Is there a link?
roberto wrote:From the milspotters DB, the only 4 RAF Vampires on that day
15-08-1953 VZ836 Vampire FB.5 94 Sq. RAFG
15-08-1953 VZ842 Vampire FB.5 94 Sq. RAFG
15-08-1953 WA226? Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG
15-08-1953 VV444? Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG
Thank you in advance for any further help you can provide.
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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by roberto »

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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by Vampiredave »

Roberto: Thank you
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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by frank kramer »

slightly off-topic: the DB-log also has a picture of what are supposed to be 3 B-26B Invaders from 38BG/USAF(E), stationed at Laon (France). However, the picture actually shows three USAF B-45A Tornado's: the four jet engines mounted in two wing pods are giveaways (no props, just smoke!). The B-45's were operated by the 47th BG out of RAF Sculthorpe between 1952 and 1957 (three squadrons of bombers, later in 1954 augmented by a recce-squadron of RB-45's). The Tornado's were not included in the logs of this open day (while the Invaders were logged), and I wasn't there (still 7 years away from being born, actually :wink: ), so I cannot say whether they were there on that day or whether this picture was taken somewhere/sometime else... Anyone still around with memories of that day :fadein: ?
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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by RW.Laskewitz »

Vampiredave wrote:Cloudhopper: Do you have any more information on the Vampire serials of the aerobatic team as I think that VV469 is definitely one of the 16 Squadron team? Is there a link to the database link you mention?
Cloudhopper wrote:Ik krijg er nog eentje meer uit de milspotters database:
15-08-1953 VV469 Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG tbv luchtvaartdag.4x(aerobatic team)
Roberto: the two serials WA226 and VV444 are from 16 Squadron. Is there a link?
roberto wrote:From the milspotters DB, the only 4 RAF Vampires on that day
15-08-1953 VZ836 Vampire FB.5 94 Sq. RAFG
15-08-1953 VZ842 Vampire FB.5 94 Sq. RAFG
15-08-1953 WA226? Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG
15-08-1953 VV444? Vampire FB.5 Wunstorf? RAFG
Thank you in advance for any further help you can provide.
Well if you look in the last column 'static' is mentioned at Vampire "VV444?"; so that should make the other four for the airshow I suppose...
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Re: 1953 air show 16sq Vampires request

Post by Vampiredave »

I have recently spoken to one of former members of the 16 Squadron display team and he mentioned that it performed at the R.Neth.AF display at Leeuwarden with its Vampires (VV469?, VZ278, VZ359 and WA252) painted in a locally-applied red and black colour scheme, featuring a gold 'crossed keys' insignia on the fins. No.16 Squadron was based at Celle at this time, yet the two Vampire serials quoted were with 94 Squadron, also from Celle?
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