Useful Links
Some of the excellent sites that I have come across in my research. They are not all about Meteors but all worth a look. All the links open in a new window and are in alphabetical order for neatness. If any of these links stop working then please let me know so it can be investigated and if possible fixed.
* New - Nov 2009 * Associations & Organisations
RAF Yatesbury Association:Also covers RAF Compton Bassett, Cherhill and Townsend.
The National Service (RAF) Association:Open to anyone who served between 1939 & 1964.
Museums & Reference sites
ADF Serials: Dedicated to the Australian defence force, primarily a source for tracking individual aircraft history by their serial numbers it also has alot of good quality historical information on types operated by the RAAF including of course one or two Meteors!
Aeroventure: Aeroventure have T7, WA662 and the cockpit section of FR WL131 on display. They have recently moved to a new site and have a brand new website to go along with it.
Australian National Aviation Museum: This excellent museum can be found ar Moorabbin Airport near Melbourne, South Australia and features an extensive collection of aircraft covering Australian aviation history.
Bentwaters Aviation Society: In January 2005 they took delivery of ex Llanbedr F8/ U16 WH453 which they plan to restore back to its configuration when serving with 72nd Squadron. They also run the Bentwaters Cold War Museum where the aircraft will be eventually displayed.
Cosford Aerospace Museum: Associated with the RAF Museum at Hendon this site also has an extensive collection of aircraft including the prototype F9/40 Meteor DG202.
De havilland Hornet Project: No complete Hornet's or Sea Hornets survived. This project aims to create a static airframe using as many original parts as possible. They have made excellent progress and the quality of their work is of the highest standard.
Driffield AerodromeNo.203 Advanced Flying School which was established at Driffield. Phillip Rhodes is looking for more information on surviviving Meteor F4 & T7's that once flew from the airfield.
History in Illustration (Chris Banyai-Riepl): A great page to visit if you are looking for some interesting colour schemes for the Meteor F8 and FR9.
History Journal : A rather nice not for profit place with a real mix of interesting stuff which is well worth a browse. Its aviation centered but not specific to the jet age although Guy Ellis has an association with the Jet Age Museum which is how we came across one another.
Hunter Wing : G-LOSM is the only airworthy Meteor Nightfighter in the world. It was converted back to NF11 standard after retirement from target towing duties as a TT20. The aircraft is now owned by Air Atlantique at Coventry.
Martin-Baker : World-leading manufacturer of aircraft ejection seats. They operate two of the last airworthy Meteors as test aircraft for ejection seat development. The primary aircraft is WA638 which was rebuilt over a five year period and returned to service in 2002 after 24 years in storage.
Hooton Park Trust : The Hooton Park Trust is building up an interesting collection of artefacts and airframes representative of types and squadrons that operated from the airfield over the years including Both 610 (County of Chester) and 611 (West Lancashire) Squadrons in the 1950's. They currently have Mike Davey's WK914 which is being restored long term to ground running condition.
Jet Age Museum : The Jet Age Museum currently has three Meteor airframes and one of the two surviving F3 cockpit sections. It is in the process of building a new display center for its collection.
Meteors in Israel : Along with Australia the Israelis were another country to use the Meteor in combat operations during the suez conflict.
* New - Nov 2009 * Midlands Air Museum : Good display about Frank Whittle and WS838 on loan from Cosford.
Mike's Meteor Pages : Worth a visit, with lots of nice photos and useful historical information.
RAAF Museum : The museum has a number of Meteors on display.
RAF Hendon: Premier aviation museum in North London with a large collection of most of the key aircraft that have served the RAF. On the site they have recently added pages for both their Meteors:, F8, WH301 and T7, WA634
Temora Aviation Museum: The home of VZ467, the only flying Meteor F8 now repainted as the historic A77-851 'Halestorm' which shot down two MIG15's in the korean war.
Thunder & Lightnings: An interesting site which while focused on the lightnings has expanded to include links to various preservation groups who have post war airframes under static restoration. They don't currently have any information on Meteors but I will work on that!.
Science Museum: At Kensington (London) they have preserved the Gloster E28/39, Britains first jet aircraft. Open the site and search the site for "Gloster", Here are two pages that you can visit directly: 1, 2.
Solway Aviation Museum:Nice site for the Solway Aviation museum in Carlisle including an individual page for their NF14 WS832 which despite being on outdoor display is in excellent condition.
Vampire Preservation Group : This group operate a two seat vampire and own two others that they hope to restore to airworthiness, possibilities here of a renewed vintage pair.
British Aircraft Directory : An interesting directory of British aircraft types with a nice and fairly accurate page on the meteor although WA591 isn't listed in there directory of survivors.
Warbird Index : Details of projects to restore aircraft to airworthiness around the world.
Products & Services
www.AeroplaneModel.com: High quality custom built models including two beautiful Meteor models a T7 and the world speed record breaker 'Yellow Peril'. There is no financial benefit to me if you choose to purchase these or any other products.
Flight simulator for Meteor T7 : Rick Piper has designed and released a freeware flight simulator model for the T7 Meteor. The cockpit images look really great although I haven't tried flying it yet, Here is an image from the program, looks nice.