VH-VAM      Military S/N: A79-617

The Vampire in the Museum collection is the only Australian Built Vampire flying in Australia.

The de Havilland Vampire first flew in Britain in September 1943 and three years later was ordered for the RAAF. The Vampire’s pod is constructed mainly of wood. The wings, tail and booms are made of metal. The aircraft was developed initially as a single seat fighter but was subsequently developed into a night fighter, fighter/bomber and trainer versions. A total of 3,987 were built between 1943 and 1961 in six countries, including Australia.

In Australia, de Havilland built 80 single seat aircraft at their Bankstown factory. The first Australian built aircraft flew in June 1949. The single seat aircraft were powered by Rolls Royce Nene engines, built under license by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in Melbourne. These were the first jet engines built in Australia.

The Museum's Vampire (Construction No. 4139) was delivered to the RAAF on 22 May 1958 and was put into service with the Central Flying School at East Sale in Victoria. It was subsequently transferred to No. 1 Advance Flying Training School at Pearce in WA. The aircraft served most of its RAAF time in the west until disposed of in January 1970. A79-617 was sold and exported to the USA where after many years of storage it was returned to flying condition and operated privately until purchased by David Lowy in 1998. After being shipped back to Australia the Vampire underwent extensive restoration and repainting before arriving at the Temora Aviation Museum. In February 2001 David Lowy donated the Vampire to the Temora Aviation Museum.

The Vampire is flown regularly on Museum Flying Days.