Vanguard Self Storage, which operates nine facilities in England, has installed a restored Vampire T11 aircraft in the atrium of its new 45,000-square-foot facility in Bath, which is slated to open early next year. The iconic airplane furthers the company’s strategy of sparking conversation by incorporating historic and cultural artifacts at its properties, according to a press release.
The WZ450 Vampire was delivered to the Royal Air Force in 1952. Until Vanguard’s acquisition last year, it spent most of its service life as an advanced training aircraft in Pembrey, England. It was restored and transported in eight sections. Once inside the storage facility on A36 Bristol Road, a team reassembled it over five days. Another three days were required to suspend it securely in its display position, the release stated.
“Restoring and displaying these iconic pieces of history is a personal passion for us,” said Vanguard Managing Director Will McCullagh. “Our business roots were in industrial moving and engineering services, which led us to acquire numerous items over 60 years. We’re delighted to share some of these treasures with local communities and welcome visitors to our stores.”
A Vanguard facility under construction in Portsmouth, England, will display a Harrier jump jet, a military plane named after a bird of prey. The company also has an English Electric Lightning XP745 fighter jet that hangs in the atrium of its Bristol facility and a former RAF Hawker Hunter fighter jet on the roof of its Staples Corner, London property. Additionally, Vanguard’s West London location has featured rooftop exhibits including a helicopter, a “Doctor Who” TARDIS time machine, a Mark IV tank and a Supermarine Spitfire.
Vanguard Self Storage is owned by Vanguard Holdings, which has roots dating back to 1964. The family-owned company also operates Vanguard Filebank, a document-storage company with locations in Bristol, London and Manchester, England.
