Tracking down a Gloster Meteor #North Weald #39 #1980s/90s

The 2022, 26th edition of Ken Ellis’s ‘Wrecks & Relics’ provides an outline ‘time-line’ history for WM224 and confirmation that it was the one carrying marks ‘WM311’ at North Weald.

Built by Armstrong Whitworth Aviation at Coventry as a Gloster Meteor NF.11 in 1952.  Operated by 228 OCU and 29 Sqdn.

Converted to a Meteor TT.20 and served with 3/4 CAACU, 3 CAACU and 5 CAACU. (CAACU – Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit)

To the CSDE at RAF Swanton Morley (Central Servicing Development Establishment) and allocated maintenance serial 8177M on 15.10.71

Subsequently to Mr D Walker, a tractor-collector at Watering Farm, East Dereham by road on 16.11.75. (W&R 5 1976).

To North Weald Bassett by 3/77 for use as an attraction outside the ‘King’s Head’ public house (W&R  6 1978).  Which neatly adds detail to ‘Sabrejet’s’ recollections.  By W&R 7 (1980) recorded as having moved to North Weald Aerodrome, less wings.  In W&R 8 (1982) reported to be with the Air Restoration Wing who were establishing a museum collection at North Weald and by W&R 9 (1984) the collection was open to public at weekends and the Meteor to be under restoration.  Later while at North Weald, identity ‘WM311’ was applied. 

To East Midlands Aeropark Museum on 12.01.03 and currently on public display.

WM224 at RAF Woodvale with No.5 CAACU on 4th September 1971 as a Meteor TT.20.

A recent photo of mine showing WM224 on display at the East Midlands Aeropark in early September 2023 where it is part way through a re-paint.  If you want to visit, then all details are on their website.

WM224 at East Midlands Aeropark? I think this is the one that was in front of a pub for a while.