How legendary fighter jets which blasted German Luftwaffe out the sky in airborne tussles ended up in muddy field
FIGHTER jets which blasted German Luftwaffe out of the sky in airborne tussles now lie in an eerie plane graveyard.
A collection of private military planes can be seen being reclaimed by nature at a farm in Birlingham near Pershore in Worcestershire.
The aircraft have sat outside and are gradually succumbing to rust and rot.
One of two De Havilland Vampire T11 cockpit sections is completely lost to the elements.
This was the second jet fighter to be used by the RAF and had a top speed exceeding 500mph.
It was developed during WWII and is immediately identifiable through its twin boom configuration.
The remaining five airframes, including the sole complete De Vampire, sit further up a hill.
The Gloster Meteor is said to be often visited by ex-aircrew who once flew her.
The Meteor is the first and only Allied fighter jet to see action in WWII.
Birlingham Jet Aircraft Collection
THE jet aircraft collection comprises the following airframes:
- Hunting Jet Provost T.3 XN632 (wears XN623)
- Gloster Meteor T.7 WH166
- De Havilland Vampire T.11 WZ425
- De Havilland Vampire T.11 XE979 – cockpit section rotted away
- Hawker Hunter F.6 XF526
- Hawker Seahawk FB.5 WF299 (wears WF105)
They blasted Hermann Göring’s German Luftwaffe out the sky during relentless airborne tussles with the rival Messerschmitt Me 262.
The Hunter in its Raspberry Ripple scheme boasts a Rolls Royce engine.
The British-made aircraft is considered one of the most successful jets ever produced by Hawker and was exported to 21 other countries.
Nearly 2,000 were produced from 1951 and the 730mph jet saw active service in the Aden and Malayan Emergency.
Incredibly, the Hawker Hunter was still in active service with the Lebanese Air Force, until 2014, according to BAE Systems.
The Seahawk was once on display at Flambards amusement park near Helston, hence its Flambards pink colour.
The other dormant craft slowly being reclaimed by nature is a Hunting Jet Provost training aircraft.
Margaret Flo McEwan, 58, snapped the airplane graveyard in all its decaying beauty.
She explained that she’s got a keen interest in military history and revealed that enthusiasts like her would love to see the planes restored to their former glory.
Margaret, who is from Berkshire, said: “The planes have been here for many years.
“Aviation enthusiasts would love to see them restored to their former glory, but their owner has chosen to leave them untouched.
“They seem destined to be reclaimed by nature.”