Meteor VW453
Mornin’ All,
In the late 1970’s I was working the Microbiological Research Establishment at Porton Down and had quite a bit to do with this particular aircraft. It was devoid of all marking externally and attempts to identify the airframe took some time, however internal panels revealed that the majority of the aircraft was made up of VW453. I know for certain that at least the canopy and frame were from WA709 (it was so marked). I later got involved in attempts to save this composite for preservation and negotiations were fairly advanced when things fell through.
I did manage to get a little info from A&AEE (as was) at Boscombe Down and their reply to my enquiries is below. It probably does not add anything to the story but may prove interesting nevertheless.
As stated somewhere earlier on in this thread, it was used by the safety department at MRE for bacterial persistence tests but had been thoroughly decontaminated by the time I first got involved with it.
I have photographs of it at Hard Target as well as the two Whirlwinds that were on other trials work with both MRE and CDE if anyone is interested.
QP
More Nostalgia
I think its really interesting to see old photographs. I enjoy shuffling through mine but enjoy even more looking at those of others. Specially when they are in colour, I could not afford colour till the late 70s.
Anyway to add to the nostalgic feeling, here are some of mine from Duxford in 1973.
QP
Before I post the last set of photos I thought I would just add a little about the AIS and CSDE to whom it belonged. My father was there from 1964 till he retired from the Air Force in 1970 (he then went to 4 SoTT at RAF St Athan as a civvi instructor)
During his time at CSDE and AIS his team were responsible for writing the maintenance schedules for the Sioux HT2 and the Phantom FGR2. The eventual outcome of this work were the APs that we all know and love.
One more point, The Canberra was there when I was in the area as I saw it many times. Not sure when it arrived but when I saw it for the first time it was a dusty derelict fuselage lying in one corner of the AIS hangar.
Onto the last of the photos.
I do not have exact dates for most of these pictures although I do know that the first two were June 1969.
The Beaver was just stopping off one afternoon for fuel and lunch for the crew in the mess.
I know that this is an RF 3 cos it says so on the tail.
Quite some time before the RAF left the airfield in the hands of the Army, they moved the gate guard Javelin. These few shots show it sitting on a Queen Mary (or Elizabeth) awaiting transport to???
I have this next one listed as a Stampe SV4C, can anyone confirm?
This one is definitely a Beagle Pup, unless someone wants to correct me.
Another strange one to me. I have it recorded as a Currie Wot?
A colour view of the guardian Javelin XA549, obviously before it was dismantled.
Here is the colour shot of NMV I mentioned earlier.
Final three coming up. This must have marked the start of me trying to be artistic and taking photos from unusual angles.
Taken by clambering up on top of the fuselage and hanging onto the fin
Not too sure but I seem to remember climbing up a nearby tree in order to get this one.
That’s it from Swanton Morley. Hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane, I did.
QP
PS, Scranton is not one of my favourite places!!!!!!!!!
Next installment
I was a little surprised at the speed and number of responses both on the forum and via PM so I have forced myself to put the scotch to one side whilst I put some more pictures.
First some more of the private aircraft (that I don’t know very much about).
Next is the Javelin that used to sit on the main gate. I never quite understood why a Javelin was placed there; there was obviously no historical connection. Maybe they just had a spare aircraft and a vacant lot just alongside the guardroom.
One of the two glider winches.
Not sure if this was based or just visiting.
Another visitor (I will leave it to others to identify the aircraft type…..that way I will not embarrass myself).
I must have really liked this Tiger, I took many photos of it. I assume it was a Norfolk & Norwich club aircraft. In fact t was the subject of my first venturing into colour photography as you will see later on…must have been that sunburst colour scheme that caught my eye.
The cockpit of the above Tiger, G-ANMV.
And another of the same Tiger
Another 10 or so to go, they will be the subject of the next post.
Now where did I put that scotch?
QP
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