TWO years after it joined an air museum collection, one of the world's earliest jet aircraft has been put on show after extensive restoration.

The Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, is displaying the De Havilland Vampire T11, which had spent time being stored outside and needed repairs to its wooden fuselage.

But the intricate work is now complete, in time to mark the 60th anniversary of the Vampire's first flight on September 20, 1943.

The museum's operations manager, Ian Dewar, said: "The Vampire was one of the first jet aircraft to enter RAF service and, along with the Gloster Meteor, formed the backbone of Britain's Fighter Command for many years.

"It also flew with many other countries and several examples are still flying today.

"Ours was last restored 15 years ago, and had been stored outside until its arrival at the museum.

"A major problem we encountered was the damage done by water, but this has now dried out completely and much of the wood has been replaced."