On 24th March 1956 this aircraft was force-landed near Acklam following an engine failure immediately
after take off from Thornaby. Air historian Howard Newbould reports that the aircraft just missed houses
on Farley Drive, Acklam, some five hundred yards from Stainsby Hill Farm.
Pilot - F/O H Bates RAF.
Vampire VZ227 was built to contract 6/ACFT/2467 by E.E.C. at Salmesbury and delivered to the RAF in November 1949
and issued to 247 Squadron at Odiham in December 1949 when to unit converted to the type. 247 Squadron ceased operarting
Vampire FB.5's in May 1951 and after a period of storage the aircraft was issued to 608 Squadron. It sustained
Cat.5/FA damage as a result of the incident at Acklam.