North Coates Strike Wing 1946

NARSES2 · July 10, 2013, 06:50:53 AM

Whilst working on the Meteor, Glosters also played around with the new fangled turbo prop engines. Now although this might at first have seemed a backward step and was at first seen to be merely a fallback position in case the Meteor failed in reality it proved to be quite succesfull.

Such was the positive feedback from the test pilots that Glosters immediately looked at a production aircraft and these were soon ordered for both RAF and FAA use. In the RAF they were to be used by some of the coastal strike wings as their improved range/loiter time over that of the jet Meteor was thought to be more usefull in this role. Initialy known as the Turbo Meteor she was soon officialy named the Meteorite by their Airships and in FAA use was known as the Sea Meteorite.

Squadrons operating these aircraft tended to operate in mixed wings where the other squadrons used either Mosquitoes or Beaufighters. Armament could be bombs, rockets or a mix of the two, whilst some flights specialised in torpedo use.

So here is a torpedo armed Meteortite of C (Primrose) flight, 162 Sqd RAF North Coates May 1946.

The kit is the MPM/Special Hobby boxing which builds really well. The torpedo is from a Trumpeter Wyvren and the markings are from the kit and an RAFDEC's sheet. Colour scheme is Xtra Dark Sea Grey over white courtesy of Halfords and Lifecolour. There were some Coastal Command strike aircraft in a short lived EDSG/Slate Grey over white scheme with a high demarcation but it was short lived. I've just updated it. The only change to the kit was to lengthen all the undercarriage legs as otherwise there is no way she could have been armed.

As a first for me she is fixed to a simple base - yes there is no where near enough weight in the nose

Overall a very enjoyable project and I'll be getting another one

kitnut617 · July 10, 2013, 07:14:49 AM

I like that Chris

Mossie · July 10, 2013, 07:24:49 AM

Very different looking Meteor Chris, nice job.

NARSES2 · July 10, 2013, 07:27:02 AM

On looking at this again it may well be that either I've got the undercarriage legs on backwards (which I don't think I have) or I've got the wheel bays back to front (which I think I have

) May explain why there wasn't enough weight ?

I'm putting it down to a modification from the prototype

Thanks for the heads up Robert. When I build the next one I'll try and find some decent drawings/pictures and get it right.

kitnut617 · July 10, 2013, 07:33:00 AM

Here's a good pic showing the u/c gear orientation Chris

NARSES2 · July 10, 2013, 07:56:28 AM

Right, thanks that's nice and clear. I'm wrong

but then again the instruction drawing is a little at odds with that...or it is to me. Mind you the last time I really had to try and interpret any technical drawing was in my school days. Maybe it's the fact the drawings are upside down ??

Anyway am I bothered - not really

But at least I can get the next one right, thanks again Robert. May give the next one contra-props as well (probably get them wrong way round as well

)

Chris

Dizzyfugu · July 10, 2013, 07:56:57 AM

Interesting! The colors suit the Meteor well, BTW.

kitnut617 · July 10, 2013, 08:11:57 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on July 10, 2013, 07:56:28 AM
Right, thanks that's nice and clear. I'm wrong but then again the instruction drawing is a little at odds with that...or it is to me. Mind you the last time I really had to try and interpret any technical drawing was in my school days. Maybe it's the fact the drawings are upside down ??

Anyway am I bothered - not really But at least I can get the next one right, thanks again Robert. May give the next one contra-props as well (probably get them wrong way round as well )

Chris

I still like what you've done Chris, it's given me an idea for my Trent Meteor (got the Unicraft conversion though)

Weaver · July 10, 2013, 09:32:22 AM

Nice to see one built and interesting use onf it.

I'm still trying to get one of the Special Hobby ones at a sensible price. I want to make a tank buster with the nosewheel off-set to one side and a BFG in a belly pack...

PR19_Kit · July 10, 2013, 09:56:21 AM

That looks excellent Chris, and a wholly believable backstory too.

I know what you mean about Meteor under-carriages, it's almost as if Gloster DESIGNED them to be a pain in the neck!

Gondor · July 10, 2013, 10:16:10 AM

I like it, although I would have changed the canopy for one from an F3 myself. What's the yellow extension to the fairing on the tail?

Gondor

Hotte · July 10, 2013, 12:42:45 PM

Nice Meteor

Hotte

lancer · July 10, 2013, 01:23:26 PM

Oh that is very very very nice.

markmarples · July 10, 2013, 01:28:24 PM

I lie that a lot

NARSES2 · July 11, 2013, 12:55:27 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on July 10, 2013, 07:56:57 AM
Interesting! The colors suit the Meteor well, BTW.

They do don't they. Would not work on a single engine aircraft I think ? Will be using them again on a Brigand (which I think may actually have used something very, very similar)