One of the three Vampires preserved in Mexico. Mk 3 No 5 at the New Mexican Air Force HQ building Mexico City, January 1994.

Technicians from Fliteways assembly one of the Goblin engines at BAM-1, Santa Lucia. Note Beechcraft F2B FZB-5501 of the Photo Squadron behind.

A line-up of F.3s and T-33As. Vampire No 1 sports an extra tailboom stripe to show that it is the Squadron Commander’s aircraft.

One of the first Vampires destroyed in a accident was FAM-14 shown here in an early colour scheme with FAM-9 next to it at BAM-1.

A flight of three DH Vampire Mk 3s over the Mexican countryside. Nearest are No 4 and No 13 - which is today preserved at BAMS Zapopan, Jalisco.

Newly-arrived Vampires FAM-12 and FAM-10 parked in the area of the Escuadron de Reconocimiento Fotografico at BAM-1 Santa

The surviving Vampire fighters inside of a hangar at BAM-1 Santa Lucia after their retirement from service. Note the tear drops painted on the ‘eyes’.

Mexican President Lie Adolfo Lopez Mateos (left) inspects one of the Vampire fighters at BAM-1 Santa Lucia. Note the US Navy-type helmet and lack of gunsight on the aircraft.

Mk 3 No 13 taxiing by a Lockheed T-33A during their final years of operations - this aircraft is preserved at BAMS at Zapopan, Jalisco Mexico.

A line-up of F.3s and T-33As. Vampire No 1 sports an extra tailboom stripe to show that it is the Squadron Commander’s aircraft.

Mk 3 No 13 taxiing by a Lockheed T-33A during their final years of operations - this aircraft is preserved at BAMS at Zapopan, Jalisco Mexico.

Technicians from Fliteways assembly one of the Goblin engines at BAM-1, Santa Lucia. Note Beechcraft F2B FZB-5501 of the Photo Squadron behind.

One of the two Mk 11 trainers, No 16, at Mexico City international airport, December 1963 - note the two PBYs and C-45 of the Mexican Navy in the background.

One of the two Mk 11 trainers, No 16, at Mexico City international airport, December 1963 - note the two PBYs and C-45 of the Mexican Navy in the background.

The Squadron insignia of Escuadron Aereo Jet de Pelea 200 as applied to the Mk 11 trainers was far more detailed than those on the fighter counterparts.

One of the two Mk 11 trainers, No 16, at Mexico City international airport, December 1963 - note the two PBYs and C-45 of the Mexican Navy in the background.

Mk 11 WZ414 (ex-RAF) after its arrival in Mexico, possibly circa 1962, to help transition pilots to the single-seat fighters.