WA591 - Airshow debut
WA591 Airshow debut, Duxford - 16th October 2011
WA591 - On display at Duxford on the 16th October (Tom Howard)
24th Dec 2011:
WA591/ G-BWMF was on display at the Coventry Airbase event in early December where she continues to impress after the meticulous restoration by the Meteor Flight team. Its expected to be a busy display season next year so get your booking requests in early! Her airshow debut at Duxford by Dan Griffith was widely reported and very popular after a static appearance at RAF Fairford for RIAT which almost didn't happen due to the discovery of a cracked starboard jet pipe. Inspections revealed cracks in the jet pipes of Meteor NF11 G-LOSM which we now have an approved repair scheme for, the cracks are likely to have been caused by a combination of age and insufficient use with moisture accumulations not being burnt off regularly enough by operational use.
10th Nov 2011:
Posted some nice static images by Alex Walsh & Jean-Claude Foulon from its flight into Coventry during which they also completed the final tests required for the issue of its permit to fly which included a climb to 30,000 feet. Its a very simple but effective scheme and its hard to believe that it ever looked like this. It is a stunning transformation with probably tens of thousands of hours of voluntary labour and a huge number of companies who have donated parts either free or at cost, its the only airworthy Meteor T7 in the world as Martin Baker's Meteors, although T7's are heavily modified for their ejection seat test role.
16th Oct 2011:
WA591 made her airshow debut at Duxford on the 16th of October 2011 in her fantastic RAF 1950's training colours. It was a great display and a great addition to the historic fleet, were now back up to Five Airworthy Meteors although two are technically still working as ejection seat test beds at Martin-Baker.
14th June 2011:
After many delays the first flight of WA591 took place from Kemble on the 14th June 2011, there was only a few hours notice of the flight which meant that few of the supporters of the project were able to witness the event. The flight was marred by an undercarriage warning light which requires some investigation but the aircraft landed safely and the pilot Dan Griffith reported that it flew smoothly.
 Flight Test action, gear up! |  Coventry flypast |  It can't be 50+ years old! |
10th June 2011:
The CAA inspector was at Kemble on Tuesday the 14th for his final inspection visit. They are hoping for approval to begin flight testing within a few days of his visit. You can watch WA591 on its taxi trials at Kemble, the aircraft will be painted after the test flights in a period 1950's RAF training scheme and will be the sole airworthy Gloster Meteor T Mk 7 in the world and one of the worlds oldest airworthy jet aircraft.
27th May 2011:
Still waiting for the all important AAN (Airworthiness Approval Note). It must be emphasised that this is not a matter of the CAA dragging its feet, they are certifying a 1940's design as a new civilian type which also incorporates essential 21st century technological updates. Its taken them fifteen years to get here, whats a few more weeks?
4th May 2011:
The first flight of WA591 is now expected in the next two weeks following the successful taxi trials on the 7th April.
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.
12th March 2011:
The start of taxi trials has been delayed by a faulty voltage regulator which proved difficult to replace as they are exposed to the elements inside the undercarriage bay and hence often in poor condition. They still haven't finished with the radio and navigation systems which have to be shoehorned into some very cramped spaces.
10th November 2010:
Major milestone today as the aircraft was fully fuelled up and weighed followed by some maximum power engine runs. The photos and some video footage will be posted as soon as possible, this should be within a few days. If your on the notification list a message will go out when the pictures are online.
23rd September 2010:
The engines were run again on the 22nd September, everything was fine with the port engine but they had a minor problem with the JPT (Jet Pipe Temperature) readings for the starboard engine, they have already found a solution for. The second series of engines runs followed the first engine runs on the 1st September with photos from that day shown below. Thanks to Norman Pratlett & Alex Walsh for the pictures.
19th Feb 2010:
Not new photos but three more nice images from Norm Pratlett a volunteer who is handy with a camera. I met him at Kemble in January and he sent me through some interesting shots of WA591 being reassembled.
24th January 2010:
The day after the Kemble rollout they took the aircraft apart again and started final assembly, system by system the aircraft is coming together with duplicate inspections required by CAA although with Sandy Mullen as Restoration Manager standards are no issue. They have made many minor modifications to bring critical systems up to modern day standards with all new wiring and the need to fit things like a GPS and transponder into a 1950's cockpit that started off crowded. The most trivial item can hold up progress but they are still planning for first ground runs in March and would be very keen to talk to anyone willing to help with fuel costs which will run to at least £500.00 per test flight.
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16th July 2009:
WA591 was rolled out for an open day at Kemble, externally complete there is plenty to do under the skin before a possible first flight next summer. The first flight is heavily dependant on funding and they would appreciate any help to keep the project moving forward.
 Engine Install, June 09 |  Easy does it |
 It fits! |  |
 Is it nice out? |  |
 Steady as she goes |  |
 Almost there |  The Team |
16th March 2009:
The move to Kemble really improved the working conditions with more natural light and no more leaks from Yatesburys WW2 era roof. The move took longer than expected and was quite disruptive to progress but things have now picked up again. Its current tail-dragger configuration makes it easy to move around as required to complete the work on the rear fuselage, with the center section resting on the main undercarriage and weight of the rear fuselage supported on a castoring dolly. Three more volunteers have joined up since the move, John Holder and Sid Griffiths assisted with the restoration of a Hunter, lightning and Meteor WS774 at Quedgeley while Ian Horner an ex-Halton apprentice has lost none of the skills he gained in fifteen years of aiframe fitting, they are welcome additions to the team.
The current work in progress is mainly electrical with new wiring looms to install and connect up to inverters, thermocouples and the compass control panel. The electrical work also extends to the forward fuselage, back in its rollover stand it will be fitted with the new battery tray and 24V ground power installation which is waiting approval, they are being brought up to NF14 standard and will greatly improve operation and accessibility. The delay in obtaining approval is holding up final reskinning of the forward fuselage so in the meantime work has moved onto assembly of the instrument panels initially with test instruments which have been trial fitted so that they can work out wiring routes. This has involved a great deal of work by Colin Bates who has waded through masses of modifications and counter modifications to ensure we have the correct items and fittings.
 Kemble, March 2009 |  |
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 Steady as it goes |
 Almost ready |  Arrival Kemble |  Unloading |
A vast amount of "off aircraft" work has been carried out to ensure serviceability of components and sub-assemblies restored over the years or of 'New' parts from stores. This included identifying a complete and carefully chosen windscreen assembly and nose undercarriage which are now waiting as kits ready for fitting after cleaning and inspection. The wings have returned from Coventry, cleaned and etch primed by two Delta Jets volunteers the aileron controls have been fitted. The aircraft will have MOD 1092 (Aileron Spring Tabs), an easy modification as we have suitable kits for this. A small amount of corrosion was detected on the starboard wing which has been repaired, it would have been better to replace the part but our spares from other wings proved non interchangeable.
The tailplane selected for WA591 has been stripped and etch primed. Its ready to be fitted with port and starboard elevators. The lower and upper rudders have been inspected, re-assembled and balanced ready for fitting. The ailerons have also been painted and mass balanced ready to fit. You can also see the engine exhaust units and jet pipes which have been installed and temporarily connected. It has been decided to apply a final two part bright sliver polyurethane epoxy to the control services before fitting. We hope to avoid the need to remove them again when the airframe is painted. The paint currently has a satin finish but if we decide on a gloss finish then a clear topcoat can be applied as required.