Meteor, but which one?

Any more? :rolleyes:

There’s another photo of several 63 Sqn Meteors in 1950 in the Crowood book but they also are wearing squadron chequered markings (and no codes). 56 Sqn were at Thorney Island together with 63 Sqn and they also used single letter codes but I can’t find out which aircraft was A,
Jim

There’s another photo of several 63 Sqn Meteors in 1950 in the Crowood book but they also are wearing squadron chequered markings (and no codes). 56 Sqn were at Thorney Island together with 63 Sqn and they also used single letter codes but I can’t find out which aircraft was A,
Jim

Mmmm – I wonder?

In October 1950, Commonwealth Ministers and their families gathered at West Malling and were entertained to a demonstration by civil and military aircraft at what, as the newspapers described as being, a “Miniature Farnborough Display”. A team of Vampires from 72 Squadron provided the aerobatic display for the visitors, whilst four Meteors from 63 Squadron led by the CO, Sqn Ldr R A L Morant, gave a fine exhibition of formation drill.

Mmmm – I wonder?

In October 1950, Commonwealth Ministers and their families gathered at West Malling and were entertained to a demonstration by civil and military aircraft at what, as the newspapers described as being, a “Miniature Farnborough Display”. A team of Vampires from 72 Squadron provided the aerobatic display for the visitors, whilst four Meteors from 63 Squadron led by the CO, Sqn Ldr R A L Morant, gave a fine exhibition of formation drill.

The truck looks to me to be a Humber Snipe Variant.

John

The truck looks to me to be a Humber Snipe Variant.

John

According to Air Britain, VT267 was coded HX-W while with 226 OCU. How about VZ417:63 Squadron / A?

I’ve found a photo of VZ417/A. It was taken at Thorney Island in 1950 and, I think, the squadron markings had only recently been added, but 63 Sqn operated F4s from June 1948 so you could well be right Dave.
Jim

According to Air Britain, VT267 was coded HX-W while with 226 OCU. How about VZ417:63 Squadron / A?

I’ve found a photo of VZ417/A. It was taken at Thorney Island in 1950 and, I think, the squadron markings had only recently been added, but 63 Sqn operated F4s from June 1948 so you could well be right Dave.
Jim

The serial looks like it could be VT187.

FC

The serial looks like it could be VT187.

FC

When blown up that 6 looks possibly a 5 so 257 is another possibility but that was SW-T with 43 Sqn. The A may have been the code with the handling Sqn??
Frustrating init!
Jim

When blown up that 6 looks possibly a 5 so 257 is another possibility but that was SW-T with 43 Sqn. The A may have been the code with the handling Sqn??
Frustrating init!
Jim

According to Air Britain, VT267 was coded HX-W while with 226 OCU. How about VZ417:63 Squadron / A?

According to Air Britain, VT267 was coded HX-W while with 226 OCU. How about VZ417:63 Squadron / A?

Thanks Jim, nice detective work. It would be nice to know where it was taken. The truck looks more American that British, but I suppose it could be an ex-USAF one left over after the war. Guess I’ll never know!

Thanks Jim, nice detective work. It would be nice to know where it was taken. The truck looks more American that British, but I suppose it could be an ex-USAF one left over after the war. Guess I’ll never know!

It certainly seems to be VT*67 so the only possibility is VT267 which S.J.Bond has as: Handling Sqn. 226 OCU w/o 21.3.50,

226 was at Bentwaters then Stradishall during the period you mention.

Jim

It certainly seems to be VT*67 so the only possibility is VT267 which S.J.Bond has as: Handling Sqn. 226 OCU w/o 21.3.50,

226 was at Bentwaters then Stradishall during the period you mention.

Jim

I’m afraid that’s how it came! I’ve had a magnifying glass on the print and still can’t decide what it is. I was wondering if the truck may have given a clue to where it was taken. My father worked for Fairey Aviation at Hayes and later for English Electric at Luton, so my guess would be White Waltham or Luton, but at that time, I can’t see either of them needing a follow me van. The only other thought would be Farnborough as I know he attended the 1951 SBAC show.

Just a sugggestion: perhaps the pickup was merely providing personnel transport.