THE GLOSTER METEOR - many images in the 1950s to early 1960s

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THE GLOSTER METEOR - AN IMAGE HEAVY THREAD

I've always had something of a 'soft spot' for the Gloster Meteor, from the finesse of the rounded, sleek lines of the F.8 to the strong rugged bulk of the NF.14. I included some Meteor images on a photo thread of 1950s fighters posted in 2012 from the 'MAS Collection' a box of 'bring and buy' prints kept in the MAS Clubroom until 1986. These I'll incorporate into this thread, mostly towards the end. The majority of these images are from the Don Stephens Collection, some his own work, some collected over the years - but untouched since around 1965. Don Stephens was the compiling editor for the first 2 editions of 'Wrecks and Relics' in 1961 and 1963. His interest in wrecks and relics shows in this first post of early Meteors, featuring a number of gate guardians.

This is destined to become a major thread, with around a hundred images. I'll split the posts by aircraft mark, logically commencing with prototype and early fighter marks including the Meteor F.4. While the early fighter marks are not easy to tell apart, they are easily distinguished from most later marks by being single seaters with the 'rounded' tail, though the PR.10 (with a modified nose profile) is an exception to the rule. The rounded tail is also a feature of the two-seat T.7.

GLOSTER METEOR PROTOTYPE & METEOR F.3 & F.4

1, 2, 3. There were a number of prototypes, and a number of different engine types installed in them. Only one has survived, DG202 designated as a Gloster F9/40, before the production name Meteor was adopted. In the upper photo seen during August 1962 at RAF Yatesbury. A number of maintenance serials have been quoted over time, 6850M, 5798M with it now usually quoted as 5758M. At Yatesbury it slowly fell into disrepair until its historic value was realised and taken to RAF Cosford for restoration. The lower pair of photos of DG202/G is just after initial restoration at RAF Cosford seen during March 1965 at a time that Don was experimenting with colour film and two cameras. Today DG202/G is deep store with the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford.



4. Meteor F.3 (with shorter nacelles) 5897M coded B on the nose wheel door, formerly EE405 seen guarding the gate at RAF Bridgenorth on 6th May 1960, and was before that on the gate at RAF Hednesford.





5, 6. There was a period in the mid/late '50s when it appears to have been policy to display RAF base 'gate guardians' in an all silver scheme with no markings other than roundels and fin flash. Spitfires and Meteors being the main types in use as gate guardians at the time. This caused great confusion to the spotters of the period. Both these shots are dated 26th April 1960, on the occasion of a MGAE official visit around No.8 Technical Training Unit at RAF Weeton, near Kirkham. The report in the MGAE 'Northern Aeronews' (the precursor of 'Flypast') states the aircraft in the upper photo to have been once 5783M and was formerly EE241 and had seen service with 616 Sqdn and displayed on the gate (along with a Hawker Hunter). The lower one being Meteor F.4 7221M (incorrectly applied as M7221), formerly RA449 and at the time of the photo was awaiting the scrapman, having been replaced Hawker Hunter F.2s.



7. This undated photo of 7222M, formerly RA456, a Meteor F.4 is also at RAF Weeton - but not seen on the April 1960 visit, so I'm assuming this is earlier, the Meteors there having largely been replaced by newer Hunters by 1960. With a FOD guard over the intake, this could have been kept outside for engine runs. The aircraft over on the right is a Supermarine Swift. RA456 saw service with 205 AFS and despite being a single seater, wears yellow T-bands.



8. A much earlier image, one that presumably Don acquired. Dated 7th June 1954 at Yeadon. RA-476 (note serial presentation) is a Meteor F.4. and a travelling exhibit with the Exhibition Pool at Olympia.



9. VT214 a Meteor F.4 dumped at RAF Danbury, photographed on 1st September 1960. It had previously seen service with 12 FTS as code 77 and was sold as scrap in 1954.



10. Gloster Meteor F.4 VT283 in what appear to be 56 Squadron markings, but she last saw service with 203 AFS. No location or date.



11A. No registration worn, no date, no location. A Meteor F.3 with longer wings. Clearly a gate guardian at a RAF station or ATC unit, other than that a nice photo of a Meteor!



11B. Another 'confuse-a-spotter' anonymous Meteor gate-guardian. No date, but the print is annotated RAF Hornchurch, so according an early W&R this aircraft was once VW790. However, it is suggested that this could be the world speed record holder EE549/7008M while on the gate at RAF Innsworth. The evidence for this is that she has a combination of F.4 nacelles with long wings and no guns.

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THE TWO-SEAT METEOR T.7

Nearly 40 images of the two seat, type conversion trainer, the Meteor T.7. Not only operated by the Operation Conversion Unit, but each squadron would usually have 1 or 2 on strength for check flights etc, no matter what mark of Meteor the unit operated. I'll keep this post to mainly in-service photos.





12, 13. Gloster's civil registered Meteor T.7 G-ANSO. The lower image is at Farnborough and the print undated. However there is also a photo of the Whirlwind with tail of the Meteor in the background which is dated 10th September 1954. As far as I am aware, the wing-tip tanks were never fitted to service aircraft. Also of note is that this aircraft has the square-top larger fin of the F.8, rather than the usual rounded-top to the fin of the F.3, F.4 and production T.7s. G-ANSO was registered to the Gloster Aircraft Company in June 1954 and cancelled on sale to Sweden, August 1959. Have sine read that G-ANSO started life as Meteor F.8 then converted with a two-seat nose added - this would explain the F.8 'square' tail on trainer.



14. Possibly the oldest dated Meteor image in the Collection is this shot of WA621 coded HX:P of No.226 O.C.U., seen at Farnborough 8th July 1950. This aircraft was written of during 1952.



15. Not too much known about this one, simply captioned Aldergrove 1955, the registration is not recorded. No squadron colour bar around the roundel, but has whole fin markings, likely denoting a R.Aux.A.F. unit's commanding officer's personal aircraft. Anyone know more?





16, 17. WF770/F Meteor T.7 with 611 Squadron at RAF Hooton Park. Neither photo is dated, although prior to March 1957. Several weeks after posting have realised that these are the same image, one having been cropped in the darkroom many years ago.



18. WF785/K Meteor T.7 with 610 Squadron at RAF Hooton Park, photo dated 28th August 1954. These 3 I have used before on the RAF Hooton thread.





19, 20. WA634 a Meteor T.7 modified by Martin-Baker for ejection seat research. Both photos are at RAF Hooton, while only the lower one is dated 11th June 1955, they appear to be the same occasion.



21. A slightly odd one this. Nothing on the back of the print to help with date or location. The building behind, with verandas could well be overseas, while the pairing of a Meteor T.7 with a Bristol Beaufighter out on the airfield is certainly worthy of note, especially as both seem to be wearing black and yellow 'target tug' undersides. Since posting, NWAN member 'Sabre', surprised at seeing a Meteor and Beaufighter together has looked into this scene. The last RAF Beaufighter (a TT.10) flight was at RAF Seletar in May 1960 and the background barracks are similar to images found on a 'Google' of Seletar in the '60s. Clearly a photo 'acquired' by Don somewhere along the line.





22, 23. RAF Gaydon Battle of Britain air displays. WL468/- appeared in the static park on 14th September 1963. WL378/W of 85 Sqdn (but no unit markings) on 19th September 1964. Both are in solid dayglo and silver scheme. Both almost certainly the products of Don's own camera.





24, 25. RAF Tern Hill Battle of Britain air displays. WA593/- appeared in the static park on 14th September 1963. WH166/27 with the CFS, Central Flying School on 18th September 1965 in solid dayglo and silver scheme. Also almost certainly the product of Don's own camera.



26. RAF Woodvale 25th June 1960, WH127/- Meteor T.7



27. Finally in this batch to show that the Meteor was not just produced for the Royal Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force Meteor T.7 I-320 seen at Beek 8th July 1975. Not actually a correct serial number and today is preserved in Holland.

That is not all the Meteor T.7 images, some I've kept back to appear with main mark used by a unit or on a post featuring Meteors at RAF Kirkbride.

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THE GLOSTER METEOR F.8

The most numerous of the Meteor variants produced is the F.8, also in my opinion one of the best looking of the '50s fighter designs. This post mostly looks at images of the aircraft while in R.A.F. service. Developed to greatly improve the performance of the F.4, the F.8 gained more powerful engines in the RR Derwent, a fuselage stretch and a larger, reshaped fin to counter the greater length of aircraft and a true 'tear-drop' canopy.



28. WH456/L of 616 Sqdn with yellow diamonds on a green background. Date and place unknown but circa 1955 and like so many Meteor F.8s sold as scrap 1958.





29, 30. Although there are more Hooton based Meteor F.8 images on a Hooton Park thread, here just a sample with a line-up of 9 aircraft headed by WH386/P of 610 Squadron and WK988 of with the tail colours denoting the mouth of the Commanding Officer of 610 Squadron



31. The other R.Aux.A.F. Meteor F.8 unit at Hooton was 611 Squadron with roundel bars best seen in colour. Here WH365/D at RAF Hooton with an early 'solid' canopy, but later camouflage scheme. The application of the 'W' in the registration is non-standard with a very narrow base, so appears rather like a 'V'. Possibly the rear section of the 'tear-drop' canopy has been painted over, to appears at a glance more like a Meteor F.4?





32, 33. Upper photo: WL135/- Meteor F.8. This photo is dated 1st April 1959 and taken in the scrapping fields of RAF Kirkbride. Lots of images of the scrapping fields to follow later, however this image is annotated 245 Squadron and was the Commanding Officer's aircraft with a yellow tail and blue flashes. Lower photo: WK928/possibly C, location not known, a 245 Squadron aircraft, with blue and yellow checker-board markings while still in service. 245 Sqdn had their Meteor F.8s 6/50 to 3/57 based at RAF Horsham St.Faith then RAF Stradishall.



34. While this image of VZ495/L (or is it VZ485/L?) of 222 Squadron has a blue and red checker-board, on a b&w photo looking very similar to those of 245 Sqdn above! The aircraft hiding behind XD384/- a DH.115 Vampire T.11 at RAF Ouston on 19th September 1954.





35, 36. WK884 Meteor F.8 at RAF Woodvale 25th June 1960 upper image, at the time serving with 5 CAACU with a target towing pack underneath the fuselage. The lower shot, WF711 an all silver with dayglo strips Meteor F.8 at RAF Woodvale on 9th June 1965, also with 5 CAACU.



37. WK692/F in overall silver with 604 Squadron's yellow and red coloured triangles in the roundel bar. Look closely at the background and this is at London Air Port/Heathrow, although 604 Sqdn were based at North Weald. Undated, but before the aircraft was written off in 1954







38, 39, 40. All three aircraft are with the Armament Practise School (APS) at RAF Acklington. No dates to go with these. The upper pair are earlier unit markings with the use of WWII style squadron letters and yellow T-bands, the camouflaged aircraft with single fin letter is later. The aircraft being WF819/WH:G Meteor T.7 and WK747/WH:O Meteor F.8 at the same location and in later markings WA832/M Meteor F.8 at Acklington. The unit disbanded in 1958.



41. This George Jones hangar shot of a Meteor F.8, Meteor T.7 and a late mark five-blade prop Spitfire is dated 22.2.60 and operated by the Communications Flight at RAF Martlesham Heath. Resident Meteor NF.12 unit, 153 Squadron is depicted in the same hangar on a photo on the Meteor NF.s post. However 153 Squadron disbanded in 1958 while operating NF.14s. Which when all put together means that something is awry, most likely the date.



42. WH476 Meteor F.8 in camouflage without unit markings or individual code. Date and location not known.





43, 44. Two Meteor F.8s in a field. 7294M/U (formerly WF759 and ex 600 Sqdn with red and white triangles) and 7320M/J (formerly WF742 end ex 34 Sqdn, Tangmere, with black and yellow checks) ended their days at the Halton with No.1 SoTT and were sold as scrap during 1961. Images undated and no location provided.



45. Meteor F.8 WA820 was modified to trial the Sapphire engine. This better-then-most print is stamped 'Official Photo' and likely a Farnborough give-away. The circular logo on the nose reads 'Hawker Siddeley', the word at the bottom unreadable and a winged logo in the middle. This logo appears on two Night Fighter shots coming up shortly too.



46. Once in service very few Meteor aircraft were modified sufficiently to require a new mark number. Two exceptions were the similar U.15/U.16/U.21 derived from the Meteor F.8 and the TT.20 derived from the NF.11. The U.15/16/21 were F.8s converted to fly as drones, either with or without a pilot. WA991/F which started life as a Meteor F.8, later converted to Meteor U.16 (although often referred to as a D.16) seen while with the RAE at Llanbedr in high-visibility red and yellow scheme. Date & photographer currently unknown, but this photo was used in MAS Flypast at some time. Sometime I'll spot this when going through back issues.

THE METEOR FR.9 AND PR.10

The Fighter-Reconnaissance Meteor FR.9 was derived from the Meteor F.8, as was the photo-reconnaissance PR.10 - both had a slightly modified nose for cameras. What Wikipedia's account of the history of the Gloster Meteor does not explain is why the PR.10 retained the rounded tail of the F.4.



47. Meteor FR.9 WL256 in the static park of the RAF Hawarden Battle of Britain air display 15th September 1956. Probably 79 Squadron with no markings applied, the aircraft later became 7477M and scrapped 1959.



48. Meteor FR.9 WH552 in the scrapping fields of likely RAF Kirkbride. No location or date, although the aircraft was SOC as scrap 1957. The roundel bar has a single white triangle in the centre of the bar, so is No.2 Squadron who did operate the Meteor FR.9 12/50 to 5/56. Included this one here, rather than in a later post of scrap-yard Meteors, as the nose with camera windows is on end over in the right corner of the image.



49. WB157 Meteor PR.10 is at RAF Kirkbride, date unknown although the aircraft was with the Ministry of Supply January 1958. In addition to the PR.10 returning to the rounded fin, it would appear that the nose mounted guns have been deleted from the photo-reconnaissance version.





50, 51. Meteor PR.10s WB172/F and WB162/H appear without a roundel bar are both from the same unit, Egypt based 13 Squadron. No date or location is provided for either photograph. Note the engine intakes and the PR adapted nose cone stacked on their ends to the right of the image.



52. WB167 Meteor PR.10 at the RAF Hawarden Battle of Britain air display on 15th September 1956 with PRU blue undersides

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THE GLOSTER METEOR NF.11, NF.12, NF.14 and TT.20

The final new-build marks of the Gloster Meteor were all night-fighters, with a two-seat cockpit to carry a radar operator and an elongated nose to house an air-to-air radar. The earlier night fighter marks had a heavy-framed multi-panel canopy, the final development, the NF.14s a single piece clear canopy. Some NF.14s were converted to NF(T).14 with a training role and Meteor NF.11s to Meteor TT.20 in a target-towing role.





53, 54. Two views of the RAF Exhibition Unit's Meteor NF.11 WM185 at the Wavertree Show, Liverpool. The upper image is known to be 10th August 1954 and is a Don Stephens own-camera photo, the lower one is undated and could easily be a different year. In 6/56 allocated 7359M.





55, 56. Meteor NF.11s, WD664/H and WD682/U, from the aircraft markings and quality of paper used for the print, clearly these images are taken at the same place and time, well processed if not taken! Both aircraft were operated by 68 Sqdn based at Wahn and later briefly at Laarbruch. Odd the aircraft have individual codes applied but no unit roundel bars applied, the band of colour around the rear fuselage could be an exercise marking. WD664 went for scrap 9/59 while WD682/U was written-off in a midair collision with WH236 near Bonn 9/55.



57. Meteor NF.11 WM245/Q seen a Blackbushe, year unknown, but likely in September at the time of SBAC Farnborough. The roundel bar is that 151 Squadron, in blue and white. They had the Meteor NF.11 briefly April 1953 to September 1955 and were based at RAF Leuchars. In the background are an Avro 19, Dakota and a Vampire T.11. The aircraft later became a TT.20 and served at Changi before being scrapped 10/68.





58, 59. WM143/V and WM145/A Meteor NF.11s with a familiar roundel bar, as 29 Squadron still wear it on a few of their Typhoon FGR.4 aircraft. 29 Squadron had their Meteor NF.11s August 1951 to November 1957 while based at RAF Acklington. No date or location. WM143/V to scrap 5/58 and WM145/A to scrap 10/63. Both prints are initialled, the top one is the work of Michael Bowyer (MJFB) and the lower one John Rawlings (JDRR).



60. Meteor NF.11 WD790 with the clue T/S (but is that for Teesside or test ship?) and dated 1st August 1961 on the back. WD790 was certainly used for radar trials with various modified nose profiles. Broken up 1984, the nose section of this aircraft is today with the NEASAM at Usworth.



61. WM166 Meteor NF.11, the round logo on the nose is inscribed Hawker Siddeley with a winged logo in the centre. This also featured earlier applied to a Meteor T.7.



62. Meteor NF.12 WS613/J in unusual light grey overall colours rather than camouflage. The unit insignia looks like the bat logo of No.9 Sqdn - except they never flew Meteor NF.12s! Thanks to member 'Avro 748', the unit is identified as 153 Sqdn who operated the NF.12 March 1955 to July 1958 at RAF Waterbeach. Seen in the same hangar as features in image 41. earlier.



63. Meteor NF.12 WS665 in 25 Sqdn markings, so the photo dates from between March 1954 and March 1959, the unit based at RAF West Malling and later at RAF Tangmere. Aircraft SOC for scrap 4/59.



64. WS692/C (also with serial 7605M) a Meteor NF.12 formerly active with 72 Squadron but seen at RAF Henlow SoTT on 1st September 1960. This machine has been with the Newark Air Museum since 1981.



65. WS848 Meteor NF.14 on finals. Print dated September 1954 and was provided by Michael Bowyers (MJFB). Like F.8 Sapphire image 45 and NF.11 image 61, this also has the Hawker Siddeley logo on the nose. The aircraft was the final one to be constructed by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, and served with the RAF until sold for scrap 12/63.

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66. Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS841/X without squadron colours seen at the RAF Hawarden Battle of Britain display 15th September 1960, likley serving with 33 Sqdn and ws SOC for scrap 3/62.



67. Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS793/5 with the Empire Test Pilot's School (ETPS) at Farnborough, seen during the SBAC display on 10th September 1960.



68. Meteor NF.14 WS790/H noted in the first week of January 1958 at RAF Driffield, Yorkshire. In 33 Sqdn marks, who only operated the mark from September '57 to July '58. Aircraft sold for scrap 3/62







69, 70, 71. A trio of Meteors with a fawn and black roundel bar showing them to be 264 Squadron, who had their NF.14s October 1954 to September 1957 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and a few months at RAF Middleton St.George. The upper shot is WD779/E in the scrapping field at RAF Kirkbride, 4th April 1959. The middle one WS844/JCF and the lower one a Meteor T.7 WH209 also clearly with the same roundel bars, however location and date are unknown. WS844/JCF was the Wing Commander's aircraft and bore his initials along with yellow and black fin stripes on the fin. Confusingly WS788, now under a painstaking refurbishment in the Yorkshire Air Museum, was for a while painted as WS844/JCF when it was the gate guardian at RAF Leeming. This shot is certainly of the original and genuine WS844/JCF.

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72. Meteor NF(T).14 WS726 with 1855 Sqdn ATC at Royton near Manchester, seen on 3rd April 1977. It was delivered from Kemble to Royton August 1967, and remained at Royton with the Air Cadets for 55 years, in the later years painted as WS726/H in its own 25 Sqdn markings and camouflage scheme. It was sold by auction October 2021 and removed in April 2022, taken by road for refurbishment in Essex.



73. This aircraft started out as a Meteor NF.11, converted to a Meteor TT.20 and seen here at Yeovilton Air Day 1963, WD643/585:HF with 728 Sqdn Royal Navy. The 'HF' indicating home based at Hal Far, Malta.



74. Another Royal Navy Meteor TT.20, WD952/864:HF, 728 Sqdn RN. Both these images have also been used in MAS Flypast at some time, so the caption then might throw light on the details. Could easily be at the same location/time as the Royal Navy image above.

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No.12 MAINTENANCE UNIT AT R.A.F. KIRKBRIDE

There are 4 photos in the collection all dated 30th December 1958, two pairs of images inside No.12 M.U. Rather an usual date for a guided tour, so I suspect these have been given to Don Stephens at some stage by someone connected with the Unit, although none of 4 photos are credited.





75, 76. This first pair show Meteor T.7 WL378/U in 616 RAuxAF markings undergoing heavy maintenance





77, 78. The Meteor F.8 WK935 modified to take both a pilot in the prone position and in a normal cockpit seat to evaluate the effects of G forces on an alternative seating position. This aircraft re-entered trials after this major maintenance and last flew 12th June 1959. Then for many years has been on display with the RAF Museum at RAF Cosford.

No.12 M.U. at R.A.F. KIRKBRIDE - THE SCRAPPING FIELDS, 1st APRIL 1959

The MSAE organised an official visit around the MU on 1st April 1959. The political decision to disband the many flying unit of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force was made effective on 10th March 1957. As a result a large number of aircraft became surplus to requirements at the same time and were quickly processed for scrap. The visit was clearly well timed as many of the aircraft went straight to scrapping still in their former unit markings. Most of these images have the date and location on the reverse, a couple are dated 4th April (which I take to be an error), while a few are not dated or located, but the subject and background scream Kirkbride. No 12.MU at RAF Kirkbride which was heavily dependent on the Meteor (and Valetta) itself was closed down in June 1960.



79. Meteor F.8 VZ484, camouflaged, no unit insignia but last with 611 Sqdn - indeed looks fresh out of overhaul and the paint shop! SOC for scrap 5/59



80. Meteor F.8, WB109/K wings removed, no insignia but last with 229 OCU, SOC for scrap 5/59.



81. WK713 Meteor F.8 formerly 222 Sqdn, with red and blue chequers, SOC for scrap 5/59.



82. WE891/M Meteor F.8, formerly 610 RAuxAF based at Hooton. SOC as scrap 5/59



83. WK 810/E Meteor F.8, formerly with 615 Sqdn, blue zig-zag on white. SOC as scrap 5759



84. VZ505/W Meteor F.8. The red and white triangles are those of 600 Sqdn, although a number of units used various 2-colour combination triangles on the roundel bars.



85. ·····/Y, likely formerly 245 Sqdn; with ·····/M of 610 Sqdn, formerly at RAF Hooton beyond



86. WK892/R Meteor F.8, formerly 245 Sqdn with mid blue and yellow chequers, with WF748/-, formerly of 500 Sqdn beyond



87. ·····/L Meteor F.8, although the pattern is clear, the colours are not. Could be WK743/L formerly of 604 Squadron



88. Meteor F.8s all in a line: WA929/L formerly 611 Sqdn, WF678/ - and WL776/S formerly 610 Sqdn - not surprisingly, an image I've used before on the RAF Hooton thread.



89. Tail on



90. Meteor F.8s: WF547/D 615 Sqdn (white and blue zig-zags), WA831/- 611 Sqdn and VZ505/W ex 600 Sqdn (red and white triangles)





91, 92. A wider view across the scrapping fields of RAF Kirkbride 1st April 1959.





93, 94. WD779/E Meteor NF.11 of 256 Sqdn (light blue/white/dark blue wavy), with a close-up of squadron badge below the front of the canopy.





95, 96. Two Meteor NF.11s from the same unit, WM244/E and WM264/F, 96 Sqdn (blue and yellow).

THESE ARE NOT LOCATED, OR DATED, BUT COULD ALL BE THE SAME OCCASION AT R.A.F. KIRKBRIDE?

97. On first glance these are the blue and white markings of 151 Sqdn, however that unit only operated Meteor NF.11s (see photo 57). VZ501/K is in 609 Squadron marks and during 1957 was with No.12 MU at Kirkbride.



98. WF845/P formerly 604 Sqdn, a green bar with a red outline. Also in view Meteor T.7 WF791.





99, 100. Meteor T.7 WF838/Y with the roundel bar of 603 Sqdn (which was a Vampire unit), with in the lower shot VZ63·/Y no unit markings.



101. WA637/4 Meteor T.7, of 208 Sqdn a Meteor FR.9 unit, based at various airfields around the Eastern Mediterranean..



102. WG935 Meteor T.7, 67 Squadron (red bar, blue triangles outlined in yellow), a Hawker Hunter unit. Behind is WX962 a FR.9 formerly with 208 Sqdn as Q.



103. A mix of Meteor T.7s and F.8s. Meteor F.8 coded KR:A was formerly with 226 OCU, while Meteor T.7 - /F has the green and yellow of 616 Sqdn.

THESE FEW ARE AT No.5 M.U. SEEN OVER THE FENCE AT R.A.F. KEMBLE, August 1963

104. VW456/X is a target colours (Yellow/black underside) Meteor T.7 shared between co-located units as it features the roundel bars of two units, one is the triple X of 29 Sqdn which were primarily based at RAF Tangmere and a short period at RAF Acklington.



105. The distinctive marks of 603 Sqdn (light blue and dark blue squares with black above and below) on this Meteor T.7 WG949/Z. See also photos 100 & 101. above.

MY MANY THANKS TO: Don Stephens for collecting/taking/keeping most of the 100+ photographs above. My very great thanks to, to 'Acklington' for sorting out most of the Squadron markings and providing colour notes to interpret the shade of grey on the images.

As we at the end of the thread you can now leave any comments, additional details, 'ya ha you have that wrong!' comments, further photos on the Meteor theme etc.

FURTHER TYPE THEMED AND `50's THREADS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST:

If you came across this thread on a 'Google', then some of these links might be of interest, although you are welcome to browse around the forum's other sections/threads too:

English Electric Canberra: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/10617/canberra-photos-all-images-restored

English Electric Lightning: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/10476/javelin-hunter-lightning-replaced

Wyvern/Scimitar/Swift/Hunters/Javelins: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/10476/ (a work in progress Aug '23)

Blackburn Buccaneer: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/13474/blackburn-buccaneer-thread-images-replaced

The F-4 Phantom: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/13378/donnell-douglas-phantom-photo-thread (Photos restored)

Photos with a 'wow' factor: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/10443/photographs-wow-factor-images-restored

No.610 & 611 Sqdns R.Aux.A.F. at Hooton plus Airshows: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/6279/hooton-park-rauxafcols-1950s-images

RNAY Stretton Air displays and more: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/1946/rnas-stretton-blackcap

RAF Hawarden Battle of Britain Displays 1954 & 1956 etc: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/22279/hawarden-battle-britain-displays-1956