This Vampire was built for the RAF as VP720, but was never marked as such. Taken on charge by the RCAF as 17031 10 April 1948, withdrawn from use in 1956 and struck off charge 24 April 1958. Sold to the USA and became N41J. Stored derelict by 1969, and was part of the Western Aerospace Museum (Lancaster, CA) from 1973 to 1977. Restored to flying condition in the 1980s/1990s, first flew again on 12 April 1991 at Arlington, WA. Part of the Comox Air Force Museum since 5 May 2000. Arrived there in flying condition but was declared a static artifact in Feb 2001. It's not on display in the museum's 19 Wing Heritage Air Park at Comox, but for protection it has since its arrival been stored in the non-public 407 Sqn hangar, as seen here.

Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose. AIMP involves several individual projects to acquire, integrate and install new mission systems and sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance onto the RCAF CP-140s.

Taxiing out for take-off. Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose. AIMP involves several individual projects to acquire, integrate and install new mission systems and sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance onto the RCAF CP-140s.

Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose.

Taxiing out for take-off.

Parked in the 442 Sqn hangar at Comox.

Being worked on in the 442 Sqn hangar.

A very early production Buffalo receiving some TLC in the 442 Sqn hangar.

Magnificant Cormorant helicopter receiving maintenance in the Comox 442 Sqn hangar.

Taxiing past for departure.

Great CAF Buffalo taxiing out for take-off.

Nice Aurora line-up on the operational apron at Comox. In front is 140110, followed by 140114 and 140118.

With a bit of a rainbow in the top left corner... Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose. AIMP involves several individual projects to acquire, integrate and install new mission systems and sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance onto the RCAF CP-140s.

Hawaii Mars resting on Sproat Lake, awaiting its next firefighting mission.

Philippine Mars' engine #4 is receiving some necessary TLC. The next day it would be ready for its next mission and be launched onto Sproat Lake, for one of the last times in its career. This venerable lady was withdrawn from use at the end of this 2006 fire season, at the respectable age of 60.