Gloster Meteor F.8(R)

[kitbasher]

Hurrah!  That's the Meteor essentially built, just need to finish painting and fitting the ejection seat and then of course the canopy before starting the main painting.  With the GB done there's no point in posting progress pics, it'll just be the final product.

[kitbasher]

A mere 18 months after the GB's extended deadline.....it's done!

In 1955, No 6 Joint Services Trials Unit was established at Valley as a lodger unit to undertake trials with the Fairey Fireflash air-to-air guided missile, which had first been test fired from Gloster Meteor NF.11s.  Meanwhile, the Firestreak missile (then code-named Blue Jay) was being tested, first launch taking place in 1955 from a de Havilland Sea Venom, the target drone - a Fairey Firefly - being destroyed. 
Intensive trials of the both missiles were required using single-seat aircraft, to be conducted with the redesignated No 1 Guided Weapons Development Squadron in 1957 with 10 modified Supermarine Swift F7s acting as Fireflash carriers.  The unit was also engaged on the trials programme of the Firestreak infra-red homing missile, using a mix of specially-modified Meteor F.8s and Javelins of various marks.
Not wanting to further modify Swifts, and with plenty of airframes available for modification, the Air Ministry modified 10 Meteor F.8s to F.8(R) standard, the '(R)' suffix referring to the Ferranti Airpass radars fitted to Meteors, in recovered/refurbished NF.11 nose sections.  The Meteor was a highly adaptable aircraft, the F.8(R) being no exception, the additional modification being the fitting of wingtip missile rails.  The first (WK988) was delivered from No 60 Maintenance Unit at RAF Leconfield in late 1956.  Unlike the Swifts which were delivered straight from Fairey, the reworked Meteors were delivered in 60 MU colours that were worn for the duration of the Meteor trials and would later be seen on several Lightning F.1s (e.g. XM144). 
While Fireflash was only ever used as a training missile, Firestreak entered operational service with the RAF and the Royal Navy in August 1958; it was the first effective British air-to-air missile and remained in use until 1988.





The model depicts WK988 as delivered, with dummy Firestreaks attached.

[PR19_Kit]

Oh yes, I DO like that Dave! 

Is it an F8 with an NF11 radome, or an NF11 with an F8 cockpit though?

[kitbasher]

Oh yes, I DO like that Dave! 

Is it an F8 with an NF11 radome, or an NF11 with an F8 cockpit though?

an F8 with an NF11 radome, Kit.

although the build is actually a Matchbox Meteor NF with an Aeroclub F8/FR9 decking plus a Merlin F8 canopy (as it was the only one I had in my spares box apart from one with the solid rear end, which wouldn't be in keeping with the timeline).

[PR19_Kit]

Hehehe, so you started with an NF11, converted it to an F8 and left the NF11 radome on it? 

I like it, Whiffgeneering to the max! 

[kitbasher]

Hehehe, so you started with an NF11, converted it to an F8 and left the NF11 radome on it? 

Yup 

[Knightflyer]

A very smart looking finished product. Well done 

[NARSES2]

A very smart looking finished product. Well done 

Totally agree 

If you'd like it moved to normal build thread let me know mate

[The Wooksta!]

A two seater in a training/development role isn't too much of a stretch either.  Possibly NF14s but with bang seats too?

[kitbasher]

A two seater in a training/development role isn't too much of a stretch either.  Possibly NF14s but with bang seats too?

I'm sure the Meteor T7 must have been a cheap as chips to build and operate as I've wondered why an NF14-based trainer as described by Lee never happened?

Now I've 2 Matchbox NFs in the stash (one as an 11, the other a 14), so if one were to be replaced by a Special Hobby NF.14, and assuming I can find a non-radar nose and get the right seats......

[PR19_Kit]

T7s were all over the place in the day, every Meteor Squadron had a couple of them, and many were just around as Station hacks.

When I was at Benson the Ferry Training Flight had half a dozen T7s, and two T7.5s as well, plus the Station had four T7s just hanging around. 

[The Wooksta!]

A two seater in a training/development role isn't too much of a stretch either.  Possibly NF14s but with bang seats too?

I'm sure the Meteor T7 must have been a cheap as chips to build and operate as I've wondered why an NF14-based trainer as described by Lee never happened?

Now I've 2 Matchbox NFs in the stash (one as an 11, the other a 14), so if one were to be replaced by a Special Hobby NF.14, and assuming I can find a non-radar nose and get the right seats......

I did an NF14 based trainer years back in an overall black scheme and FAA markings, but I doubt there's any photos on here.  IIRC, it was a straight Matchbox kit with an Airfix F3 nose and Aeroclub bang seats (apparently the NF14 was going to get them hence the revised canopy and the Treasury said the RAF couldn't have the cash.  There's a very subtle one - have I enough Matchbox bits? Edit - yes. Unfortunately.).

I meant a "straight" NF14, with the wingtip missiles and bang seats, possibly as a De Havilland development aircraft instead of the Venom that they did use.

Dave, use the Matchbox ones for whiffing and just get the new Special Hobby one for  the real thing.  That's what I'd do.  IIRC I might have the mould somewhere for a standard nose but I may have a gash fuselage kicking about too.  Yours if and when you want it. 

Edit: found a cast resin fighter nose that's of no use to me.  You may need to add a few shims of plastic card on the back but it's perfectly useable.  I did find a gash Airfix Meteor nose, but only one half...

[kitbasher]

If you'd like it moved to normal build thread let me know mate

Very kind Chris but it can stay here.

I meant a "straight" NF14, with the wingtip missiles and bang seats, possibly as a De Havilland development aircraft instead of the Venom that they did use.

Dave, use the Matchbox ones for whiffing and just get the new Special Hobby one for the real thing.  That's what I'd do.  IIRC I might have the mould somewhere for a standard nose but I may have a gash fuselage kicking about too.  Yours if and when you want it. 

Edit: found a cast resin fighter nose that's of no use to me.  You may need to add a few shims of plastic card on the back but it's perfectly useable.  I did find a gash Airfix Meteor nose, but only one half...

Aah, all clear now, Lee.  Missile-armed NF14 Firestreak test-bed makes sense.  I think I may have a fighter nose available (or at least an FR9/PR10 nose that could be adapted.  Let me look.

[sandiego89]

Great result!  glad you drug her out.  Three months, two/three years, what's the difference? - deadlines are flexible.....you don't work for government do you? 

Nice job

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Subtle, smart & plausible - I like it!