I know there's some interest in the Wyvern among users here so I thought you might like to see these superb air-to-air shots.
Recently, someone donated 3 boxes of 4.5" x 3.5" glass plate negatives to the museum at Tangmere. Unfortunately, none of the plates are labelled (apart from the letters 'ASM' and a one-or two-digit number on the Wyverns' envelopes) so I've no idea when, where, why or by whom these were taken. If anyone has any information or suggestions I'd be pleased to hear them so that the photos can be properly catalogued in the Museum's photo library. The aircraft's serial is VW868 if that's of any help to anyone.
Very nice pictures. VW868 was one of the first batch of 20 production standard TF.2s used for flight handling and engine evelopment, in the pictures you've posted it's still got the early production tailplane configuration without the extra finlets. I'm fairly sure that places the phots as being taken between 1950 and '52 as they were upgraded to S.4 standard before actually entering service in '53 which included the finlets. The lack of wing fence inboard of the ailerons indicates it's still fitted with the TF.1 style wing so it's most likely '50-'51 as it looks like the conversions took place in the second half of '52 although I can't get exact dates from my sources.
Your best bet is to contact the FAA Museum as they've probably got the aircraft's complete history stashed in the archives.
