Gloster Meteor FR.9 VZ608

[Julien]

Gloster Meteor FR.9 VZ608, aircraft at Newark Air Museum, pics mine. VZ608 was delivered to the RAF as a standard PR.9 but was later returned to Glosters for test use. After then going to Rolls Royce it was modified to test the RB108 lift jet engine for the Short SC.1 programme. The RB108 was installed behind the cockpit, replacing the main fuel tank, and trials began in 1955. Although the aircraft had underwing fuel tanks, it was limited to 30 minutes flying. The orientation of the engine could be altered in flight to simulate vertical flight, with a replica of the Short SC.1 air scoop fitted, to accurately simulate the SC.1 aerodynamics. After the successful trials, VZ608 was put on the fire dump at Hucknall, but was rescued in February 1970 and moved to the Newark Air Museum.