By: Steve Bond
- 3rd December 2015 at 14:46Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
If it does not breach the commercial rules of the forum. I am the author of 'Meteor Boys' which is being published by Grub Street as one of their successful 'Boys' series of books which focus on personal accounts by air and ground crew of the type. I have interviewed around 70 Meteor chaps covering every aspects of its service.
By: Robert Whitton
- 3rd December 2015 at 15:04Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
These are some pictures of G-ARCX the NF14 prototype taken over the years. The cockpit used to opened at times but I dont know if that is the case nowadays.
By: PeterVerney
- 3rd December 2015 at 19:47Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I am very interested in this, served on 152 as a nav/rad and flew in WS788 several times. I took this photo in Oct 54 on my first roll of colour film off Gt Yarmouth. Will be interested to see the finished article.
By: PeterVerney
- 5th December 2015 at 20:00Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I remember there were a mixture of black and tan radomes but cannot now remember if it indicated the flight although I'm fairly certain not. Note the tailbone of WS788 is blue which does indicate the flight. The factory no doubt had a shortage of black paint.
By: Blue_2
- 7th December 2015 at 15:19Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
07/12/15 Update
Not a working day as such, but I popped in to the museum yesterday in passing to make sure all was well with the Meteor given the high winds the North has endured recently. I'm pleased to say she hasn't suffered any ill effects and is still quite snug under her cover!
I'd just like to say a big thankyou to all those who have stepped forward with parts, advice etc so far. And Peter, thankyou for posting the in service pic of 788! She is in good hands now.
By: H.M.S Vulture
- 7th December 2015 at 21:10Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
And Seahawk!
These are some pictures of G-ARCX the NF14 prototype taken over the years. The cockpit used to opened at times but I dont know if that is the case nowadays.
By: Blue_2
- 14th December 2015 at 10:21Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
11/12/2015 Update
A sneaky Friday off meant I could get a bit done on the Meteor. While I can't make a proper start until the jet is moved over to the Handley Page building, there is much to do with some of the bits and pieces already off the jet. My plan for the day was to rub down and prime the 2 lower fillet panels I took off the other week, and have a go at removing the flaps. The plan was scuppered by spending the morning showing a couple of chaps around the museum who I hope could prove beneficial to the museum's aircraft in the long term, so I decided to just get the 2 fillet panels rubbed down and sorted.
First victim!
I get the feeling my new sander is not going to stay pristine for very long...
While rubbing back I found what I take to be an inspector's stamp and a part number. As with the Victor I shall try to record any and all such discoveries
It was certainly a good afternoon to be working indoors, as the weather outside had really taken a turn for the worse!
Morale soared as the prep of one panel was completed... then dropped as the second, worse panel took its place on the bench!
Though by the end of the day both panels were ready to be primed. Or turned into a piece of abstract sculpture, whichever you prefer
After the primer had dried I took them over to the Meteor's temporary component store, the pallet the nose cone currently lives on.
While I was working in the HP I also found under one of the desks the kit of parts that constitutes the missing kick-step.
Has anyone got a better one kicking around? Or even some better innards than this poor specimen has?
As the afternoon darkened, I called it a day
But not before catching 788 looking 'reflective' after the afternoon's downpour!
By: Blue_2
- 14th December 2015 at 17:12Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I shall do my best, thanks for the support chaps! I'm not sure when she will move, I'm hoping after Christmas.
Another odd request, I have read that when she came off guard duties at Leeming, 788 was moved across the airfield slung under a Chinook. Would anyone on here have photos of this occurring?
Posts: 11,141
By: charliehunt - 3rd December 2015 at 14:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
More information on "Meteor Boys" please - if it has been discussed here I have missed it!:apologetic:
Posts: 1,777
By: Steve Bond - 3rd December 2015 at 14:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
If it does not breach the commercial rules of the forum. I am the author of 'Meteor Boys' which is being published by Grub Street as one of their successful 'Boys' series of books which focus on personal accounts by air and ground crew of the type. I have interviewed around 70 Meteor chaps covering every aspects of its service.
Thanks for asking.
Posts: 5,088
By: Blue_2 - 3rd December 2015 at 14:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Sounds good. Will have to add that to my shelf I think Steve!
Posts: 1,317
By: Robert Whitton - 3rd December 2015 at 15:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
These are some pictures of G-ARCX the NF14 prototype taken over the years. The cockpit used to opened at times but I dont know if that is the case nowadays.
Posts: 11,141
By: charliehunt - 3rd December 2015 at 15:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks Steve - will certainly be on my list for next Autumn.
Posts: 1,020
By: PeterVerney - 3rd December 2015 at 19:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I am very interested in this, served on 152 as a nav/rad and flew in WS788 several times. I took this photo in Oct 54 on my first roll of colour film off Gt Yarmouth. Will be interested to see the finished article.
Posts: 10,168
By: Peter - 4th December 2015 at 00:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
She looks in pretty good state inside Blue!
Posts: 286
By: Monsun - 4th December 2015 at 16:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Nice photo Peter. Does the red radome denote 'B' Flight?
Posts: 1,777
By: Steve Bond - 4th December 2015 at 19:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
You'll find it's not red, just the natural colour of the material used.
Posts: 1,020
By: PeterVerney - 4th December 2015 at 20:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes it was natural sort of tan colour, and yes we were in B flight.
Posts: 43
By: Marka1967 - 4th December 2015 at 21:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
All the best on your latest venture B2 hope to get up to Elvington in the near future for a look see.
Posts: 286
By: Monsun - 4th December 2015 at 22:23 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks for that. Was asking the question as I have a photo of nine 152 Sqn Meteors in an arrow head formation and some have black radomes.
Posts: 1,020
By: PeterVerney - 5th December 2015 at 20:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I remember there were a mixture of black and tan radomes but cannot now remember if it indicated the flight although I'm fairly certain not. Note the tailbone of WS788 is blue which does indicate the flight. The factory no doubt had a shortage of black paint.
Posts: 5,088
By: Blue_2 - 7th December 2015 at 15:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
07/12/15 Update
Not a working day as such, but I popped in to the museum yesterday in passing to make sure all was well with the Meteor given the high winds the North has endured recently. I'm pleased to say she hasn't suffered any ill effects and is still quite snug under her cover!
I'd just like to say a big thankyou to all those who have stepped forward with parts, advice etc so far. And Peter, thankyou for posting the in service pic of 788! She is in good hands now.
Posts: 365
By: H.M.S Vulture - 7th December 2015 at 21:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
And Seahawk!
Posts: 5,088
By: Blue_2 - 14th December 2015 at 10:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
11/12/2015 Update
A sneaky Friday off meant I could get a bit done on the Meteor. While I can't make a proper start until the jet is moved over to the Handley Page building, there is much to do with some of the bits and pieces already off the jet. My plan for the day was to rub down and prime the 2 lower fillet panels I took off the other week, and have a go at removing the flaps. The plan was scuppered by spending the morning showing a couple of chaps around the museum who I hope could prove beneficial to the museum's aircraft in the long term, so I decided to just get the 2 fillet panels rubbed down and sorted.
First victim!
I get the feeling my new sander is not going to stay pristine for very long...
While rubbing back I found what I take to be an inspector's stamp and a part number. As with the Victor I shall try to record any and all such discoveries
It was certainly a good afternoon to be working indoors, as the weather outside had really taken a turn for the worse!
Morale soared as the prep of one panel was completed... then dropped as the second, worse panel took its place on the bench!
Though by the end of the day both panels were ready to be primed. Or turned into a piece of abstract sculpture, whichever you prefer
After the primer had dried I took them over to the Meteor's temporary component store, the pallet the nose cone currently lives on.
While I was working in the HP I also found under one of the desks the kit of parts that constitutes the missing kick-step.
Has anyone got a better one kicking around? Or even some better innards than this poor specimen has?
As the afternoon darkened, I called it a day
But not before catching 788 looking 'reflective' after the afternoon's downpour!
Posts: 7,017
By: trumper - 14th December 2015 at 11:30 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
:eagerness: Well done,thanks for the updates :) Good luck.
Posts: 24
By: Mark H W - 14th December 2015 at 16:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Please keep the updates coming Blue I'm really interested to see the fruits of your labours and to see how 788 develops over the coming months/years.
Posts: 11,141
By: charliehunt - 14th December 2015 at 16:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Me too, Blue. When does the old girl move to the HP building you mentioned?
Posts: 5,088
By: Blue_2 - 14th December 2015 at 17:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I shall do my best, thanks for the support chaps! I'm not sure when she will move, I'm hoping after Christmas.
Another odd request, I have read that when she came off guard duties at Leeming, 788 was moved across the airfield slung under a Chinook. Would anyone on here have photos of this occurring?