Ex-Indian Air Force De Havilland Vampire FB52 IB-1686 at the 'SpruceGoose' Evergreen Aviation Museum in Oregon
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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 |
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.
