Corgi AA37305 De Havilland Vampire T.11, WZ507, based at North Weald

The Vampire was the first RAF single engine jet fighter to enter service, the prototype first flying on September 20, 1943. The Vampire T11 trainer first flew in 1950, serving the RAF until 1968. Built in 1952 at Christchurch, Dorset, WZ507 was delivered to the RAF in March 1953, serving with 229 OCU, 8 FTS, 5 FTS, 3 CAACU and finally CATCS at Shawbury. Retired from RAF service in 1969, WZ507 became the first ex-military jet to be put onto the UK civilian register, after being restored to full flying condition in 1980, and registered G-VTII. Bought by its present owners in 2002, in 2008 it was repainted in the markings of No.219 Sqn, which operated Venom NF.2s from Driffield, Yorkshire during 1955-57, with a Vampire T.11 for training/hack duties. WZ507 is believed to be the only British-built, ex-RAF Vampire T11 flying in the world and is based at North Weald airfield in Essex.