The Classic Flyers Museum, Tauranga, Thread

[kiwi285]

The boys are working on Vampire NZ5767 to get this ready to mount on a stand in the childrens play area. The old Swordfish will be removed to make way for the Vampire. One of the problems we had in completing the airframe is the missing fairings around the tailplane to boom joint and the fairings for the ens of the booms. After exhausting all options available to us we took the aluminium fairings from NZ5751 and created fibreglass moulds so that we could produce those required from the same material. We have finally made these inhouse and they are now mounted on the aircraft. I thyink they have come up alright if you dont get too picky.

Vampire in Hangar 090623 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr

20230809_105336 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr

20230825_112233 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr

Vampire fairings (3) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr

Vampire fairings completed (1) by Mike Feisst, on Flickr

[kiwi285]

Now we can finally get back to making the 500lb bombs that started out about 8 months ago. We are getting ready to join the two halves of the first one we have made inhouse.

20231001_122126 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr

20231001_122137 by Mike Feisst, on Flickr

[chrism]

Is this Vampire an intact original example?

[l29]

Oct 2, 2023 16:53:15 GMT 12 chrism said:

Is this Vampire an intact original example?

Yes. Hopefully not staying outside.

[Venomnut]

And like every other Vampire and Venom left outside on display it will rot away past the point anyone will want to repair it.
Disappointing guys.

[chrism]

Don't put this outside in the childrens play area. It will deteriorate and be damaged for sure. Disgusted if that is the plan. Or am I missing something?

[shorty]

I'll endorse the comments about having a Vampire in a kids playground, have you not seen what happened to the T-Bird at Blenheim ,the single seater at Woodbourne the one that was at Cave and every other one that has been placed where kids can get at it.

[Dave Homewood]

Perhaps stick the plastic Spitfire V in your garden and leave the historic Vampire indoors.

[ZacYates]

I'm very surprised to learn the Vampire is to go into the playground. I know what I say has no weight but it seems like a waste of a terrific exhibit. I had to re-read the post to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

I like Dave's suggestion of putting the Spitfire outside instead.

Please don't put the Vampire outside.