An interesting tidbit. In 1957, a Vampire fighter jet crashed into Castlereagh State Forest. The pilot ejected safely. From the adf-serials website:ADF Serial #: A79-601
Construction #: 4122
Type: T.35
Details: Crashed 15/08/57 into the Castlereagh State Forest, 5 nm south-southeast of RAAF Richmond, NSW. Flying Officer Gavin Collins suffered loss of control during post-contractor acceptance test flight. According to Flightpath Magazine, Vol.6 No.1 " A left hand spin was carried out without problem. A right hand spin was initiated from 30,000 feet when the aircraft rolled on to its back and an uncontrollable inverted spin developed. The rate of rotation increased and the dive steepened. The front windscreen misted over and after one more failed attempt at recovery the pilot made the decision to eject at 10,000 feet" He was the first RAAF pilot to eject from a Vampire. Pilot ejected at 5,000 ft and 100 kts with only minor injuries. RAAF Ejection number 12. Ejection seat was retained as a training aid. Remains of aircraft found in 1992.
More information and pictures can be found at the ejection-history website.
Read more about the Vampire at the Temora Aviation Museum website.
