Dates

Event

Constructed as a Vampire F.3.

Was allocated s/n VP773 with the Royal Air Force but was not taken up.

From 7 September 1948 to 17 June 1958

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Canadian Air Force with s/n 17072.

To Fliteways Inc, of West Bend, WI with new c/r N6878D.

After July 1958

To John E. Morgan, Pittsburg, PA keeping c/r N6878D.
Markings added: Johnny Rocket

1959

To Frank G. Tallman, Orange County, CA, keeping c/r N6878D.

1966

To Rosen Novak Auto Co, Omaha, NE, keeping c/r N6878D.

29 May 1968

To James F. Brucker, Somis, CA, keeping c/r N6878D.

1970

To Jet Craft Inc, Las Vegas, NV, keeping c/r N6878D.

December 1970

To Pete Regina, Van Nuys, CA keeping c/r N6878D.

1973

To Al Letcher and Associates, Lancaster, CA, keeping c/r N6878D.

From 9 October 1974 to 13 October 1974

Unknown Race #.
The race number is not known. The primary pilot was Al Lecher. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 362.392 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 379.249 mph.

June 1975

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: At Mojave Air Races, California

3 October 1978

Photographer: Phillip Dawe
Notes: N6878D - Vampire F.3 - ex-Royal Canadian Air Force - Mojave

1 February 1981

Photographer: Al Clegg
Notes: Taken at Mojave, California 2-81

1986

To John T. Downing, Cumming, GA keeping c/r N6878D.

April 1988

To Randall K. Hames, Gaffney, SC, keeping c/r N6878D.

1989

To John Travolta/Alto Inc, Studio City, CA keeping c/r N6878D.

30 October 1990

Certificate of airworthiness for N6878D (VAMPIRE MK-3, 17072) issued.

To Canadian Air Land and Sea Museum, Markham, Toronto, ON.
View the Location Dossier

9 February 2001

To Lake Air Inc, Fort Lauderdale, FL keeping c/r N6878D.

15 February 2006

To Wings of Flight Inc, Batavia, NY keeping c/r N6878D.

To Genesee Warbirds, Genesee County Airport, Batavia, NY.
View the Location Dossier

6 June 2009

Crashed.
There was one serious injury. The accident occurred at the Rochester International Airport (ROC) Rochester, NY, United States while on decent. The damage was substantial. While en-route to his destination, as the airplane climbed through 3500 feet, the pilot heard a noise coming from the engine and initiated a return to his departure airport. The noise got louder and the pilot felt the airplane vibrate during the return. While on final approach for the runway, the engine lost total power...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

10 September 2014

Civil registration, N6878D, cancelled.