The Meteor suffered particularly badly during its gestation from heavy aileron loads – especially as speed increased. Spring Tabs were fitted to help with trimming but a final solution was the Servo Tab, which was fitted to all Mk’s of Meteor right up until the last of the NF series.

The Servo Tab came in with the later F.4’s and was standard on the Mk.8 – though with many versions of Meteors in the air in the 1950’s (Mk’s 4, 7, 8 and the NF series) many types of trim tab could be seen as the problem was worked through and solved. The final (successful) combination was an aileron trim tab and balance tab on each aileron covering the entire trailing of that control surface.

Anon.

Excellent gentlemen, Thank you Terry P and Anon. I now see why there are a confusing number of aileron types in use over the same time frame. I know the Spring-tab type were to reduce the aileron forces for RP use.

Thank you again, QED.

John