Vampire VF320 at Thornaby airfield.

On 3rd September 1950 bad weather hampered flying by 608 Squadron during the morning. The weather improved by the afternoon and the squadron took part in an exercise that involved four pilots and aircraft practicing intercepting a squadron of Meteor aircraft, almost certainly those based at Linton on Ouse and in that area. The pilot of Vampire VF318 made an approach to land at Linton on Ouse but was too low and undershort. The other three Vampires later returned to Thornaby, where 608 Squadron was based, but one (VF320) also undershot on landing in a similar way to the one at Linton on Ouse.

Pilot - P/O Robert William Harry Goodrum DFC RAF (185228).

Vampire VF320 was built to contract ACFT/5421 by English Electric Co. at Samlesbury and was delivered to the RAF in April 1947. It remained in MU storage until being issued to 73 Squadron at Takali, Malta in August 1948. At some point it returned to the UK and found it's way to 608 Squadron soon after December 1949 when this unit started to convert to Vampire F.3's. It sustained Cat.E2/FA damage at Thornaby on 3rd September 1950 but does not appear to have been struck off charge straight away as it was eventually transferred to the Ministry of Supply on 19th April 1955 before being written off.

Back to yearly selection.