Gloster Meteor PR10, Photo Reconnaissance
Developed at the same time as the FR9 the Meteor PR10 was designed for high altitude reconaissance. It was based around the center section of the F8 and had the same forward fuselage as the FR9 except that the armament was removed. To improve high altitude performance it had the the old style rounded long span wings of the Mk III, and the early style banjo rear fuselage used on the Mk III, Mk IV and T7 trainer. The two ventral F24 cameras fitted in the rear fuselage were installed for for on track imaging and controlled remotely from the cockpit and protected by covers which were jettisoned after take-off.
Note the early style half glazed canopy which would probably have been updated in service
The first prototype PR10, VS968 flew in March 1950 and went into service with 541 Squadron initially from Benson later operating from Gutersloh in Germany from February 1951. The PR10 could reach 47,000 ft and with ventral and wing tanks fitted had a maximum endurance of 3 hours and forty minutes giving it an absolute range of around 1000 nautical miles. The type was only ever operated by the RAF being flown by 2, 13, 81 and 541 sqn's in addition to two operational conversion units (231 & 237 OCU later combined). None of the 59 PR10's survived their service with the RAF.
A PR10 in flight showing the combination of the F8 forward fuselage, long span wings and early style tail.
This aircraft has the later type of fully glazed F8 canopy.