pbrandfo,
My information is that 16 came off the production line as Met Mk.3s, but the final equipment fit may well have been with 19MU at Saint Athan. Six did indeed go to 1301 Flight in 1949 – VS817, VS820, VS821, VS822, VS823 and VS824. Of the remaining 10, one went to A&AEE for performance and radio trials and preparation of pilots notes (VS818), one was retained at Filton for manufacturer trials (VS819) – I presume both of these had their equipment fitted at Filton. Another, VS825, went to APC Acklington in 1952 for ASV Mk.13B trials. The others (VS826 to VS832) went from Filton to 19MU for storage, and were eventually joined by VS818, VS819 and VS825.
In addition RH763 (a TF Mk.1) was used to test meteorological equipment both at Filton and at Boscombe Down, but wasn’t actually converted to a Met Mk.3.
All 1301 Brigands returned to the UK in December 1951 or January 1952 for storage back at Saint Athan, apart from VS820 which was scrapped in Negombo. All remaining 15 were sold as scrap between 1953 and 1955.
VS824 was damaged in a flying accident 19/07/1949, but was back with 1301 Flight 02/04/1951, so that may well have been the one that had the heavy landing. My father did his national service on Brigands with 1301 Flight, and he has recounted a similar story about the heavy landing – I’ll PM you later!
Andrew
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