Vampire rising: RAAF successfully completes 1950s de Havilland restoration

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)’s 23 Squadron has successfully restored a 1950s de Havilland Vampire aircraft.

This is the first aircraft that the squadron has acquired after a 65-year break from flying. The restoration was accomplished along with the History and Heritage – Air Force Restoration Support Section (HH-AF RSS).

The RAAF’s 23 Squadron was formed in 1937, and operated a variety of aircraft types, from Hawker Demon biplanes at RAAF Base Laverton in Victoria and Second World War-era Wirraways in Papua New Guinea, to Vampire and Meteor jets at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland.

The squadron ceased its flying operations in February 1960, and one of its Vampires (A79-440) was mounted as a gate guardian near the entrance at Amberley Base. However, more space was required when the base expanded, so the aircraft was taken down and sold.

In 2020, the HH-AF re-acquired the aircraft and volunteers from the restoration support section worked to restore it as a static display.

Warrant Officer Paul Wendt, of RSS said that it took his team of mostly volunteers about 18 months to restore the aircraft. 

“Our aim is to avoid refabricating parts as much as we can, so we ended up picking the best pieces from other aircraft and restoring them to their original condition,” Wendt said, adding that the project has been one of the best restorations his team has done in a long time. 

The refurbished Vampire aircraft is currently on display at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre.

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