At the time of this incident Vampire WA382 was on charge with No.118 Squadron and this unit was based at Fassberg, Germany. On 15th July 1952 twelve of the squadron's aircraft moved on detachment to Wattisham to undertake operational exercises in the UK over the following few days. On 23rd July 1952 four of these aircraft were flown to Thornaby which acted as forward base in preparation for them to be used in an air to ground demonstration in the Barnard Castle area. On 24th July 1952 this air to ground demonstration took place but one of the aircraft was damaged as the result of a bird strike. The pilot was able to land at Thornaby but the squadron then left it there when the others then returned to Wattisham and then back to Fassberg on 31st July 1952 with their records noting that only eleven returned to Germany and not the twelve that left.
The 60 Maintenance Unit record book (air29/2039) lists all the aeroplanes that they were tasked with making servicable. For this aircraft it states that it was ready during the month of October 1952 and they repaired it at Thornaby. It was then flown back to Germany but joined No.266 Squadron at Wunstorf.
Pilot - Name unknown.