The Prone Meteor close up

As promised – the prone Meteor. It was modified from an F.8 by Armstrong Whitworth on a contract from the Min of Supply to investigate prone piloting for a Bristol rocket powered interceptor, which in the event never happened. It was fitted with the Fin assembly of an NF.12 with larger area to counter the de stabilising effect of the longer nose. It had a couch and the pilot lay prone head to the front. The control column was on the right, the rudder pedals were behind the pilot. There was no emergency escape system. The aircraft was operated by the Institute of Aviation Medicine and the RAE. It flew for the first time on 10 February 1954, and flew 99 test flights before being grounded.
KeithMac.
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