Folk’s
This 48 scale bird was the Tamiya Mk I kit produced some years ago, which is not a production airframe, as first stated by Tamiya. This model was built several years ago and was also in a shop display untill just recently, it is finished in the aeromaster Warbird range of RAF colours and the decals although silvered in parts are from the kit decal sheet.
A little bit about the developement of the Gloster Meteor:
An order for 12 Prototypes was issued on 7th feb 1941although only 8 were actually built, the first of these was fitted with Rover W.2b engines each of 1,000 lb thrust and taxing trials were carried out at Newmarket Heath in July 1942.
Delays in the flight-standard engines meant that the fifth airframe, with alternative de Havilland Halford H-1 engines of 1,500 lb thrust was the first to flyon 5th March 1943. Modified W.2b/23 engines then became available and were installed in both the first and fourth prototypes, on the 13th Nov 1943 the third prototype made it’s maiden flight at Farnborough powered by two Metrovick F-2 engines in underslung nacelles.
In the same month the second aircraft flew, initially with Power Jets W.2/500 turbojets, the sixth airframe later became the prototype Gloster Meteor F Mk II fitted with two 2.700lb thrust de Havilland Goblin engines and was flown on 24th July 1945, the eigth airframe with it’s Rolls Royce W.2b/37 derwent I’s was flown on the 18th April 1944.
Rob.