Identification & Site Information

Aircraft Type: de Havilland English Electric Vampire Mk. III

Serial Number: RAF VP682 (not marked on the airframe)

RCAF Number: 17009

Role: Jet Fighter/Trainer

Operator: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)

Base of Operation: Central Flying School, RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario

Date Taken on Strength: 6 March 1948

Date of Incident: 16 June 1948

Location: Lake Ontario (exact coordinates unknown)

Status: Missing; presumed destroyed in crash

Aircraft Description

The de Havilland Vampire Mk. III was an early jet-powered fighter aircraft designed and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company in the United Kingdom. Notable for its twin-boom configuration and single jet engine, the Vampire was one of the first jet fighters widely used in post-WWII military aviation.

•Length: 30 ft 9 in (9.37 m)

•Wingspan: 38 ft (11.58 m)

•Engine: Goblin turbojet (Armstrong Siddeley Goblin 2 or Goblin 3 variants)

•Speed: Up to 548 mph (882 km/h)

•Armament: Typically fitted with 4 × 20mm Hispano cannons (not used in trainer configurations)

•Primary Role: Training and fighter operations

Historical Context

The Vampire Mk. III, with RAF serial VP682, was assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force under the serial 17009. It was operated by the Central Flying School at RCAF Station Trenton. The jet represented a significant step in jet-powered aviation for Canada, as the RCAF was transitioning from propeller-driven aircraft to jet-powered fighters in the late 1940s.

Incident Details

On 16 June 1948, the Vampire Mk. III, piloted by Squadron Leader S. Broadbent, crashed into Lake Ontario. The crash resulted in the death of S/L Broadbent. Investigators at the time suspected a faulty oxygen system contributed to the incident, potentially causing the pilot to lose consciousness or suffer from hypoxia during the flight.

Final Disposition

The aircraft was officially struck off strength on 24 August 1948, following the crash. Despite searches, the exact location of the wreck in Lake Ontario has not been determined. The remains of the aircraft are presumed to lie on the lakebed, though no formal recovery or definitive sighting of the wreckage has been documented.

Legacy

The crash of the Vampire Mk. III (17009) highlights the challenges of early jet aviation, particularly with systems such as oxygen supply that were still undergoing refinement for high-speed, high-altitude operations. S/L Broadbent’s loss serves as a reminder of the risks faced by pilots at the forefront of aviation technology.

Resources and Links

•RCAF Historical Records: Archives Canada – Historical information on aircraft operations and incidents in the RCAF.

•Aviation Safety Network: Database of military aircraft losses.

•Lake Ontario Shipwreck and Aviation Wrecks Archives: Resources related to underwater wreckage in Lake Ontario.

Conclusion

The crash of Vampire Mk. III 17009 into Lake Ontario remains a missing piece of Canadian aviation history. The incident underscores the growing pains of jet-powered flight in the post-war era and the sacrifices made by those who pioneered modern air force operations. The aircraft’s final resting place remains unknown, offering a potential mystery for aviation historians and underwater explorers.

Keywords

Vampire Mk. III, 17009, de Havilland Vampire, RCAF Trenton, Lake Ontario aviation wrecks, S/L S. Broadbent, RAF VP682, jet aviation history, 1948 crash.