Q&A May 2020

Are you seeking the answer to a thorny aviation question, or trying to trace an old aviation friend? Our ‘questions and answers’ page might help

COMPILER: BARRY WHEELER

WRITE TO: Aeroplane, Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1XQ, UK

E-MAIL: aeroplane@keypublishing.com, putting ‘Q&A’ in the header

Homing Eye Meteor

Q A surprise item at a recent jumble sale at Church Crookham, Hampshire, was this photograph of a Meteor NF11, serial WM180. Purchased by Anthony Knight, the picture was taken in July 1954 and shows the Armstrong Whitworth-built aircraft with what a faded official form on the reverse suggests is an optical detector mounted in the nose referred to as a ‘Homing Eye’. The aircraft was loaned by the Air Ministry and based with the Telecommunications Research Establishment from January 1953 through to May 1958 when it was to be replaced by a Canberra “when available”. Trials were completed, and WM180 was sold and struck off charge on 16 June 1958. Does anyone know any details about the ‘homing eye’ system and its intended role?

Blenheim crew?

Q Chris Anderson forwarded this picture which he found among the effects of his uncle, Sgt Observer George Durie. I…

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