About Our Aircraft - WZ507
WZ507 (c/n 15127) was built in 1952 by the De Havilland Aircraft
Company at Christchurch, Dorset. It was delivered to the RAF
in March 1953 and served with 229 OCU Chivenor, 8 FTS Swinderby,
5 FTS Oakington, 3 CAACU Exeter and finally CATCS (Central Air
Traffic Control School) at Shawbury.
 WZ507
retired from RAF service in 1969 and was acquired from the
Ministry of Defence by the Solway
Aviation Society (SAS), based at Carlisle airport. The
airframe was originally put on static display for a number
of years, but in 1980 WZ507 became the first ex-military jet
to be put onto the UK civilian register, after being restored
to full flying condition by the SAS.
 If
you flew or maintained this aircraft in the RAF, or have any
photographs or other information about its history, please
contact us - we
are always pleased to hear from people who have worked with
WZ507 in the past.
WZ507 is privately funded by a small group of dedicated
enthusiasts and has displayed at air-shows all around the
UK; we anticipate another busy display season this year. Please
look at our Airshow
Bookings section for more information about the displays
we have attended, or contact
us if you would like to enquire about booking WZ507 for
either a static or flying display. We are always willing to
display this aircraft for the public and have a selection
of Display Authorised pilots available.
Facts and Figures
| Crew: |
2 |
| Engine: |
De
Havilland Goblin 3 |
| Span: |
38'
0" |
| Length: |
34'
5" |
| Height: |
6'
7" |
| Wing
Area: |
262
sq ft |
| Max
Weight: |
11000
lb |
| Max
Speed at Sea Level: |
350
kts |
| Ceiling: |
40000
ft |
| Range: |
730
nm |
Pilot Profiles
Brian Grant (Chief Instructor)
 Brian
is probably the most experienced fast-jet pilot in the world
with nearly 14,000 fast jet hours and over 9000 hours instructing!
We are extremely privileged to have someone of his considerable
experience looking after us.
Brian started his service career in the RAF, earning his
wings in 1960 on the Vampire T11. After a work up on Hunters
at Chivenor he was posted to the Javelin OCU, flying these
aircraft between 1961 and 1965.
In 1965 Brian transferred over to the Royal Navy to fly the
Sea Vixen. He was assigned to 890 Squadron on Ark Royal, then
766 Squadron at Yeovilton. In 1967 he went to Valley to become
a QFI on the Gnat, staying there for three years. In 1970
he officially left the services to join FRADU (Fleet Requirements
and Directions Unit) back at Yeovilton. Here he once again
flew the Vixen, Hunter and the Canberra on a variety of Naval
support tasks, before finally 'retiring' in 1994.
Since then he has periodically flown Hawks at Culdrose and
acts as senior pilot on the Hunter fleet at Exeter. Brian
has amassed almost 14,000 hours on fast jets of which 2,000
were on Sea Vixens and some 8,000 on the Hunter.
Matt Hampton (Chief Pilot)
 Matt
flies the Boeing 757 and 767 for a large British Airline and
helped form the Vampire Preservation Group in 2005.
Matt started flying in 1992, gaining his PPL in Alderney.
Over the next seven years he spent his spare time gradually
obtaining more experience and ratings. In 2000 he joined Cityflyer
at Gatwick, as a First Officer on the ATR 42/72. After a year
he moved onto the RJ100 fleet, before returning to the ATR
as a Captain.
Matt first flew the Vampire in 2002 - he had always been
a fan of the aircraft and jumped at the opportunity to fly
in it! He will be displaying the Vampire at various airshows
during 2007.
Mark Hooton
 Mark
flies the 757 and has nearly 9000 hours experience. He first
flew the Vampire in 2003 and will also be displaying the aircraft
during 2007.
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