Meteors EE531/EE549

EE527 was never officially taken on strength by an RAF operating unit. If it was indeed used by the High Speed Flight (doubtful), then it was only as a “loaner” from Glosters.

I recall spotting EE419 in the burning area at RAF Coltishall in the sixties,turned out to be a former gate gaurd replaced by a Lightning. It expired in that location.

EE531 as we found her at Lasham:

And four photos showing how we took her apart and loaded her onto the truck to take back to Birmingham … new camo scheme courtesy of one of Meteor Ford’s paintshop guys:

EE531

Memory not 100% but here goes…

Tipped off by Alan W. Hall via Gordon Riley that this aircraft was sitting in a hangar at Lasham it is probably the first aircraft acquisition ‘targetted’ (proactive rather than reactive) by the Midland Aircraft Preservation Society (forerunner of MAM). Not having the £175 price asked for by Mr Kenworthy, Dept. F6t, MoD Harrowgate (a lot of money 40-odd years ago) we had just about raised the required sum (in loans) from MAPS members when a sponsor was found in Ford dealer Meteor Ford Ltd of Edgbaston, Birmingham. Members (mainly amateurs and without the use of manuals) dismantled, transported and re-assembled the aircraft on Meteor Ford’s courtyard to be on display for a few weeks. It then took up the nomadic life of the MAPS by travelling around the Midlands to such places as Weston Park, Shropshire; Bentham, Glos. (where it was built); Coventry Airport (pre Museum); BBC Pebble Mill, Birmingham (where it appeared with three other MAPS aeroplanes on “Pebble Mill at One”) – we used to joke that it probably did more miles by road than it had flown. We ‘amateurs’ got the moves down to a fine art – with the use of an Iron Fairy mobile crane at each end we could dismantle, transport (on a single 40ft. artic.) and re-assemble all in one day. After a spell of external display at the newly-created MAM it was restored by a Manpower Services Commission team in Coventry and became one of the first exhibits inside the Sir Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre where she remains to this day.

Note: most of the ‘accepted’ written (official?) histories of Meteor EE531 say that she was used in folding-wing trials to explore possible use off ‘carriers. We got to know the airframe fairly well with all those moves and there was no evidence of structural modifications for this purpose – either the trials didn’t proceed or it happened to a different aircraft, are there any pictures out there?

Roger Smith.

I think Sir James Robb’s replacement for SL721 was perhaps Mk XIX Spitfire PM659. 🙂

I have just the one out of focus shot.

Mark

A ‘whim’ ebay purchase of this official shot taken at the Wellesbourne Mountford BoB day of September 1950 for a mere .99p has borne fruit. I could just make out a Spitfire on the ebay image which proved to be about half an inch long on an 8×6 inch original.

A close study of the Spitfire therein shows it to be a Mk XIX on which I can just discern the codes ‘JMR’ through the spectators..and they match the positioning on my blurred and out of focus image mentioned. Sir James Robb is recorded as using this Spitfire, PM659, in 1948 as a temporary replacement for, or prior to, his famous Mk XVI SL721 and clearly it retained his markings through to at least 1950.

…and for those interested in the Wellington.

Mark

But did EE527 serve with the RAF in any capacity? Or was it simply delivered to a maintenance unit and then transferred to Argentina?

According to the Edward Shacklady book ‘the Gloster Meteor’ it served as a high speed trainer, in conjunction with the RAF High Speed Flight, as part of their second attempt on the Air Speed record in 1946.

The Argentine order was not placed until 1947, so the Aircraft had been built and operated for a couple of years by then within the RAF.

Not strictly true actually – I always thought it was as well during my ‘active’ days at the museum, however EE527 still survives in Argentina as C-027 on display in Villa Reynolds. Still it can’t be more than a few days between their ‘birthdays’ 🙂

But did EE527 serve with the RAF in any capacity? Or was it simply delivered to a maintenance unit and then transferred to Argentina?

I stand corrected Mark and bow to your superior knowledge. 😀

Either way though she still looks rather nice.

All I can tell you about Meteor EE531 is that she was built in 1946 and is the oldest surviving Meteor. Remember the Prototype never officially received the name Meteor.

Not strictly true actually – I always thought it was as well during my ‘active’ days at the museum, however EE527 still survives in Argentina as C-027 on display in Villa Reynolds. Still it can’t be more than a few days between their ‘birthdays’ 🙂

All I can tell you about Meteor EE531 is that she was built in 1946 and is the oldest surviving Meteor. Remember the Prototype never officially received the name Meteor.

Anyway EE531 was used exclusively for trials work until 1953 when she was retired. Apparantly she lay forgotton at Lasham until acquired by the museum in 1973.

does this help date things?

Meteor EE549

Built Hucclecote 1946 as standard Mark IV
Converted to “Star Meteor” status
1/8/46 Delivered to Tangmere -RAF High Speed Flight
7/9/46 Absolute Air Speed Record – GC E M Donaldson
3/10/46 Returned to Glosters
-/11/46 to Le Bourget/Paris Salon
16/1/47 return to Croydon and then back to Glosters on same day
to
22/5/47 modification including fitting short span wings
29/5/47 delivery to Fighter Command Communications Squadron, Bovingdon
29/3/48 to CFE, West Raynham
2/7/48 damaged, repaired
10/6/52 retired to Cranwell Station Museum 7008M
4/6/58 moved to RAF Fulbeck for storage
-/-/67 moved to RAF St Athan -restoration, including replacement of long span wings
-/-/68 Horse Guards Parade London
-/-/68 return to St Athan
-/-/71 moved to Hendon
-/-/- on loan to Tangmere Museum

JM-R, JMR

AVM John Boothman, of Schneider trophy fame, borrowed SL721 in early July 1948 and managed to land wheels up, with repairs taking until December.

This may be the the MK XIX interlude.

Mark

Ah…! Then presumably EE549 replaced PM659? The World Air Speed Record in EE549 was 1946, so I have no idea how long after SL721 and PM659 were “JMR” that EE549 came onto the scene. Or maybe it was before…or even in tandem?? Would be nice to know. Andy

Yes, thats right. I think this is taken at Horsham St Faith, although I am not sure if his use of EE549 was post the World Air Speed record by Donaldson. Presumably it was, and James Milne-Robb just picked his SL721 replacement to be EE549 – the “fastest” and most prestigious machine in the fleet! Andy Saunders

After it’s “Star Meteor” role it went back to Glosters and had (iirc) long span wings fitted before transfer to the Metropolitan Communications Squadron based at Bovingdon – presumably this was a flag of convenience for it’s use by Sir James Robb

Short span wings were refitted during it’s restoration to Star Meteor status

Yes, thats right. I think this is taken at Horsham St Faith, although I am not sure if his use of EE549 was post the World Air Speed record by Donaldson. Presumably it was, and James Milne-Robb just picked his SL721 replacement to be EE549 – the “fastest” and most prestigious machine in the fleet! Andy Saunders

I think Sir James Robb’s replacement for SL721 was perhaps Mk XIX Spitfire PM659. 🙂

I have just the one out of focus shot.

Mark

presumably it was Sir James Robb’s replacement for SL721

Yes, thats right. I think this is taken at Horsham St Faith, although I am not sure if his use of EE549 was post the World Air Speed record by Donaldson. Presumably it was, and James Milne-Robb just picked his SL721 replacement to be EE549 – the “fastest” and most prestigious machine in the fleet! Andy Saunders

presumably it was Sir James Robb’s replacement for SL721

Here’s a different image of EE549….!