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.