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Author Topic: IAC Vampires  (Read 1062 times)

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Offline Silver

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IAC Vampires
« on: October 14, 2006, 07:36:58 pm »
Does anybody here know when the last IAC Vampire flight was, officially or unofficially?

I ask this as I recall seeing, what I now know to be a Vampire, flying over the Newbridge/Kilcullen area in the early '80's.

(I knew nothing of the AC back then!'<img'>)

I'm wondering if it was an IAC Vampire or a visiting aircraft?

Cheers,
Silver.
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Offline Tony Kearns

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« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2006, 09:54:09 pm »
The last Air Corps Vampire to fly was 191 in March 1976.
Tony K
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Offline Irish251

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« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2006, 11:56:57 pm »
Vampire G-VTII appeared at one of the Fairyhouse shows and, later, at Baldonnel in 1986.
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Offline 202

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« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2006, 12:02:01 am »
Now that we are on the subject ... anybody got any interesting IAC Vampire facts, figures or lore. For the first jet aircraft in Irish service (and a tenure which spanned twenty years) it gets little mention on the boards ...
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Offline Silver

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« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2006, 01:37:20 am »
Thanks guys!
I reckon it must have been the visiting Vampire I saw in '86.
(I don't think it was the '76 flight as I was only 4 at that stage:D)


Didn't a student pilot eject from a Vampire ?
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Offline RMR

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« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2006, 11:41:16 am »
Yeah,as far as i know,the aircraft got into trouble somewhere over Cavan, and the co-pilot ejected,but the pilot regained control and returned to base (without canopy obviously) Apparentley the ejection stabilised the aircraft.Some cavan farmers got a bit of a shock when the young lad appeared lookin for a lift to the nearest garda station in flight gear,i dont think theyd ever seen anything like that outside of science fiction !!The farmers said they had no transport and directed the lad to the station a good distance away.....there was the mention of money or compensation for the farmers and hey presto transport appeared.  'pilot_laugh'
 the above is open to correction if anybody has a more accurate version.



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Offline Irish251

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« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2006, 02:08:30 pm »
Quote (Silver @ 14 Oct. 2006,16:37)
I reckon it must have been the visiting Vampire I saw in '86.
(I don't think it was the '76 flight as I was only 4 at that stage:D)

G-VTII at Baldonnel in 1986.
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Offline Lurk

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« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2006, 11:07:53 am »
I was once told that the Pilot on that occasion was Jeremiah B O'Connor, later to be O/C Air Corps. Otherwise known as "The Gut O' Connor".
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Offline 202

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« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2006, 01:42:35 pm »
Lovely pic Short Finals. Apart from the well known ejection story any other memories of the Vamps in IAC service?  Did they ever fire -- air to ground? Gormanstown?
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Offline pym

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« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2006, 02:36:19 pm »
Quote (202 @ 18 Oct. 2006,04:42)
Lovely pic Short Finals. Apart from the well known ejection story any other memories of the Vamps in IAC service?  Did they ever fire -- air to ground? Gormanstown?

Well is it true one or more of the Vampires buzzed over the border in a belated, albeit deserved response to the RAF Canberra coming the other way?

If so I'd love to know more about it.
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Offline 202

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« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2006, 06:17:58 pm »
Any record of Vampires landing at airports other than Casement?
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Offline ambaiste

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« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2006, 12:43:10 pm »
Quote (pym @ 18 Oct. 2006,05:36)
Quote from: 202,18 Oct. 2006,04:42
RAF Canberra coming the other way?

If so I'd love to know more about it.



was this a common occurence?
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Offline Irish251

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« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2006, 08:44:17 pm »
Quote (202 @ 19 Oct. 2006,09:17)
Any record of Vampires landing at airports other than Casement?


I saw them doing approaches at Dublin a few times during their final years.
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Offline Tony Kearns

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« Reply #13 on: October 20, 2006, 09:16:06 pm »
Quote (202 @ 19 Oct. 2006,09:17)
Any record of Vampires landing at airports other than Casement?

Baldonnel, Shannon, Dublin A P, Chester, Hatfield.
Tony K
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Offline Broc

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« Reply #14 on: October 21, 2006, 03:29:20 pm »
Funny 191 gets a mention above, looks like its being re-assembled in Bal at the moment.  'thumbsup'
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