Exports - France


EE523 in France (JP Veret)

EE523 as F-BEPQ (J Leborg collection via JP Veret)
The first French Meteor was F Mk. IV, EE523 delivered according to official records on the July 23rd 1948 although it actually flew in France as early as the 15th of June. On its arrival it was registered F-WEPQ but later reserialled F-BEPQ.


It kept its RAF overall aluminium finish throughout its life with the addition of a small french flag on the fin and was used extensively in test flights by ONERA (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aeronautiques) up until 1954 and with the CEV* until June 1955. It was stripped of its engines and other servicable parts and scrapped in 1956.

A second F4, RA491 had a much shorter life in France, Bought by the French Government after its service as a flying test bed for the Rolls Royce Avon it was fitted with two ATAR B 21 turbojets, a Martin-Baker ejector seat and an F8 forward fuselage at Hamble in September 1951. Despite the expected problems with lateral stability it was delivered to France in March 1952 but due to its poor performance only undertook 8 flights before being grounded in December 1952 and scrapped. ATAR development was continued using Ouragan and Mysteres fighters which had not originally been available.



RA491 fitted with ATAR turbojets, F8 forward fuselage and early style canopy (via JP Veret)

The next Meteors to arrive in France were two T7 trainers, built for Syria they were diverted to France after the middle-east arms embargo took effect. Arriving in February 1951 they were joined by eleven further T7's in 1952 and 1953 all refurbished former RAF aircraft. The first six T7's went to the CEV with the remainder to 30° ECN** for pilot training ahead of the delivery of NF11 nightfighters to the Armee de l'Air. The T7's were used for crew training until the early 1960's and with the CEV and EPNER*** until late 1967 when the last two were retired. A final T7 was delivered in April 1955 and registered F-BEAR, this flew in ejection-seat and STRIM glide-bomb trials for SNCASO (Quest Aviation) until February 1957 when it was lost in an accident which killed both crew.

Night Fighters

In 1952 the French government choose the NF11 to replace its Mosquito nightfighters. 41 NF11's were ordered. The first 25 aircraft were new built aircraft diverted from RAF production, the remaining 16 ex-RAF aircraft refurbished by Armstrong-Whitworth before delivery by air. Of the 41 aircraft, the first 9 were were allocated to the CEV with the remining 32 initially serving with three squadrons of the 30° ECN air wing (1/30 Loire, 2/30 Camargue and 3/30 Lorraine). A number also operated with the 346° CITT**** training Vautour bomber crews and with 1/71 ECN surveying the borders of Algeria in 1959. On their retirement from front-line service the survivors were re-allocated to the CEV.



NF-11-1 (Left) was fitted with an unusual nose probe, It flew extensive tests for the CEV only retiring from service in 1985. It is preserved at Musee Europe en de la Chasse, Montelimar (G. Vaugeois via JP Veret).




NF-11-24 at Istres in 1964, The aircraft possibly began life as WM301 with the RAF and was operated by 30° ECN until transferred to the CEV in 1958. flew with the CEV and EPNER until 1967. It is preserved at Savigny-les-Beaune (JP Veret).

In addition to the NF11's, the French also purchased two NF13's and two NF14's in 1955/ 1956. All were former RAF aircraft and took part in radar, missile and electronic counter-measures trials with the CEV. The last of these NF14-747 was finally retired at Le Bourget in 1985 were it is currently preserved.

A final delivery of Meteors was made to France in 1974, It comprised six TT20's which were flown to Bretigny from Kemble in November and December of 1974. Purchased as a source of spares for the ageing CEV fleet they were stripped of their engines and usable parts on arrival with the remainder of the airframes being scrapped in october 1975. In buying only 61 aircraft, France were not major users of the type although they served over a period of almost forty years, second only to the UK if you include Martin-Bakers T7's which are still on the military register.

* CEV - Centre d'Essai en Vol (The equivalent of A&AEE, Boscombe down)
** ECN - Escadre de Chasse de Nuit (Night Fighter squadron)
*** EPNER - Ecole du Personel Navigant des Assais de Reception (Test pilot flying school)
**** CITT - Centre d' Instruction Tout Temps (All Weather training school)