(Tallmantz) Vampire Diaries

[aerovin2]

Just added a page to my Tallmantz sub-site about N6878D, the DH.100 Vampire that Tallmantz owned from 1963 to 1966. I tried to validate the history of this aircraft and two other Vampires also parked at Orange County Airport in the same period, N6883D and N6885D, neither of which had any connection to Mantz or Tallmantz.

Found here: https://www.aerovintage.com/vampire/

[terveurn]

What is interesting is that it appears to have been owned by John Travolta

https://www.key.aero/article/early-vampire-trenton

it also appears in this photo from the RCAF Blue Devils Team - aircraft nearest camera

https://aerobaticteams.net/sys/pic_slid ... DD0C3B.jpg

https://aerobaticteams.net/en/teams/i12 ... evils.html

excellent history on the RCAF site:

http://www.rwrwalker.ca/RCAF_Vampire_III.html

[terveurn]

good article in vintage wings of Canada

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/ ... Vegas.aspx

[aerovin2]

Dave,

Yep, that John Travolta's company owned the airplane is shown in the legal chain of ownership (see ATLO and remark).

And that is a good article (linked from the Vampire page) but there are errors in it as it does assert that N6878D was Johnny Rocket's backup plane, which does not appear to be correct. But it does have some good material and photos. I just can't figure out why N6878D was linked to Johnny Skyrocket other than the similar paintjob on the airplane.

That's an interesting photo...is that serial 17072? Looks like 17082. Curious. My eyes are not what they used to be...

[terveurn]

Scott

Pretty sure that photo is of 72

She was the only aircraft with who's last number (ie 2) was assigned to the Blue Devils display team in 1949 (you can see the marking on the nose) as well as No. 410 (F) Squadron

[aerovin2]

Okay, thanks...

[terveurn]

Very interesting with the FAA N6885D comes back as EEP42380, RAF VP751 which according to RCAF web site is 17062

17062 according to the Canadians was N701NA

N6883D seems solid - EEP42389, RAF VP772, RCAF 17071

both are Vampire F.III

and the FAA has EEP42380 as N6885D which seems correct.

So a mistake with the Canadians