News & Events
27th April 2013
With spring finally making an appearance news from the Classic Flight Trust who are planning a visit to Newquay on Tuesday 30th April. Dan and Jon are both available and the weather forecast looks kind, Queenie is serviceable and current plan is to complete a training flight at CVT first before refuelling and departing to NQY probably early afternoon.
WA591 looks incredible even in the middle of an overcast rainy day at Farnborough 2012 (www.meteorflight.com)
The weather for the Farnborough Air Show 2012 verged on appalling but it was still a fine show with plenty of enthusiasts prepared to get soaked. It was a great surprise to catch sight of WA591 in the static part and talk to the Classic Flight Trust, a great way to ensure the survival of many important classic British aircraft.
It will be putting on flying displays at Sywell on the 19th August, Cosby on the 8th & 9th of September and Leuchars on the 15th & 16th September, it is popular attraction for all the right reasons and I look forward to a chance to see her fly for myself. They are likely to have a second display pilot available in the near future which will give them more flexibility and options to appear at future events.
If you have a great photo then send it to us. Please get permission first if it isn't yours, previous home page images can be found in the Meteor Flight archive.
If your looking for hard to get parts for a Meteor or other jet age restoration project then send me the details and a photo and I'll post your requirement on our new market place page.Other News
Meteor NF14 Canopy needed - 28th April 2013
George Kerr at the Solway Aviation Museum has been in touch regarding a replacement canopy for their NF14 nightfighter, WS832 which was damaged in a storm. If you have any leads about a possible replacement then you can call them on (01228) 594 587 or leave a message on their website.
WA591 Coventry Flying display
On the 28th March, WA591 put on a nice flying display at its Coventry Airbase home. Its good steady footage with the take-off occurring just over 4 minutes into the footage. The pilot demonstrates just how well she performs with the extra power of its Rolls Royce Derwent IX's and brings her back for a very nice landing.
1st Dec 2011:
The process of updating the navigation is well underway but still much to do, I am also working on developing some page tracking code to help me link the pages together better and monitor the activity of the search engine 'bots'. This requires cookies to be set so I can identify that its the same person moving from page to page. While the site is undergoing its overhaul its a good idea to use the sitemap to locate content which extends to a second page. I've also started a clean-up of the pages to make better use of my global stylesheet, simplify the html and improve its layout and readability and make the pages load slightly faster where I can.
12th Feb 2011:
Sad to hear that 276 Sqn ATC at Chelmsford have lost their Meteor WH132. It has been taken back by the RAF and will become a gate guardian at RAF Leconfield. The ATC unit hadn't been able to maintain at well as they would have liked but would love a cockpit section (with instruments if possible) to take its place. If you can help get in touch and I'll pass your details onto Flt Lt Marriott the units commanding officer.
Sept 2nd 2010:
It would be nice to gets news of the two Meteors that were in Alton, Hampshire with the Second World War aircraft preservation group( F8 WH291 & NF13, WM366/ 4X-FNA). The founder Bob Coles passed away last year and the 'museum' has now closed. The aircraft were all displayed in the open and at my last visit some years ago weren't in great condition. I know of an ATC group that are looking for a restoration project, so is this a marriage made in heaven.
March 29th 2010:
I have brought the project pages for WL405 & WK914 up to date following the aquisition of WL405 by Mike and its move to Hooton Park in January where he is centralising his restoration work. I have also added a picture of WL405 landing at Farnborough in 1963 carrying a PR nose, an interesting shot via Robin Walker which was spotted by Mike on Air Britain, Robin was very quick to give me permission to use the shot.
October 2009:
Clive Thomas served as a navigator on Meteors between 1953 & 1955. His memories have faded but he very much enjoyed his National Service and his son Alan has been in contact asking for leads to identify the squadron and perhaps others who flew with him at the time. He recalls seeing pictures of Meteors with Red & White checkered fins, possibly based near Ely (Cambs) or Lincolnshire. If you have any information that might help please get in touch and I will pass the details on.
Previous news and updates
10th June 2011:
A CAA inspector will be at Kemble on Tuesday the 14th on what is expected to be a final inspection visit. It is hoped that first flight may be as early as next week but this depends on having the AAN and test pilot availability. You can watch WA591 on its taxi trials at Kemble. The test flights will be followed by a spell in the paint shop from which it will emerge in a period finish as the sole airworthy Gloster Meteor T Mk 7 in the world.
4th May 2011:
The first flight of WA591 is now expected in the next two weeks, it relies on the CAA finishing the paperwork which has proceeded very fast through their system followed by the availability of a pilot and good weather. which culminated in a fast taxi to 70 knots.
7th April 2011:
WA591 moved today under its own power at Kemble, it taxied out and went steadily down the runway then did a second high speed run to 70 knots. It has been along time coming and congratulations to everyone who has voluteered their time over the years.
10th November 2010:
Major milestone today as the aircraft was fully fuelled and weighed followed by some maximum power engine runs. It was worth the 200 mile return trip to see the progress for myself and catch up with some of the team.
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