Gloster Meteor F.8 (WL181)
NAHR category - Noteworthy
Aircraft History
The Meteor F.8 was the last single-seat fighter version of the Meteor family. It first flew on 12. October 1948 and entered the RAF in December 1949. Ejection seats were fitted as standard and it had a fully transparent cockpit canopy. Powered by the Derwent 8 rated at 16.0kN, it was built in greater quantity than any other version.
WL181 History
WL181 was delivered to 20 Maintenance Unit (MU) at Aston Down on 28th May 1954 for preparation for active service. It had joined Tangmere Station Flight by 16th July before moving on to 34 Squadron at the beginning of August. The aircraft made several visits to MU's during this period including 29MU at High Ercall on 7th December 1955, 12MU, Kirkbride on 11th February 1957 and 33MU, Lyneham on 17th December 1959. March 1960 saw the aircraft join the Air Warfare College at Manby coded 'G' and it was here that it flew with the units aerobatic team, the Evergreens. It ended its service career with the Advanced Jet Refresher Squadron at Strubby until the aircraft retired to 5MU at Kemble on 3rd May 1965. On 3rd November 1971 the aircraft was struck off charge and in February 1972 was moved to Acklington to provide winching practice for 22 Squadron Whirlwinds. By the end of 1974 Acklington had closed and WL181 was due to be scrapped. NEAM purchased the aircraft on 18th March 1975 and on 3rd May the aircraft was dismantled and moved to the museum.
Photo credited to Malcolm Clarke.