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The RAAF has restored a 1950s-era Vampire fighter jet for display at Amberley.
The History and Heritage – Air Force Restoration Support Section (HH-AF RSS) brought back the aircraft, A79-440, for the RAAF’s 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron, which has not flown for 65 years. The plane had been mounted as a Gate Guardian at Amberley before being taken down and sold.
“This has been one of the best restorations we’ve done in a long time,” said Warrant Officer Paul Wendt of RSS, which had re-acquired the Vampire’s airframe in 2020.
“It took our team of mostly volunteers about 18 months to complete. 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.”
23 Squadron, which ceased flying operations in February 1960, formerly flew planes including Hawker Demons, Wirraways, Vampires, and Meteors. Currently, it is responsible for airbase operations including “airfield services, firefighters, physical training instructors, cooks, mechanics and air movements”.
A79-400 has been painted to resemble the personal aircraft of former Squadron Leader Ernest William Tonkin OBE, a WW2 and Korean war veteran who flew in numerous theatres and reached the rank of Air Commodore before discharging in 1977.
“On the 9th January 1956 he was appointed Commanding Officer of No. 23 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, leading the Squadron until the 7th of April 1958,” the RAAF said.
“On the 1st February 1957 it was identified that an association of present and ex-members of 23 Squadron should be formed to preserve the comradeship and friendship established during service.
“Squadron Leader Ernest Tonkin was promptly voted in as the first President of the 23 Squadron Association.”
23 Squadron Warrant Officer Aaron Reynolds saying the restored Vampire – which is now on static display at RAAF Amberley’s Aviation Heritage Centre – is “an important reminder to all service members of the significance of their contribution to air power”.
“For 23 Squadron personnel, the restoration of the Vampire is a reminder of the unit’s historical contribution to Australian air power, and while we don’t fly any more, we continue to enable the RAAF to operate across the globe right here from our base at Amberley,” he said.
