Gloster Meteor U.16/U.21 Drone Conversion set - 1:48 Red Roo Models

[Julien]

Gloster Meteor U.16/U.21 Drone Conversion set
1:48 Red Roo Models

The Meteor like many operational aircraft found a new lease of life following its retirement from front line operational duties as a drone aircraft. These acted as both manned and unmanned target for the military. In the UK these flew as the U.16 and in Australia the U.21 as conversions of the F.8. The wingtips were modified, the nose was changed and various aerial fits were made. The cannons were removed as the spaces were used for additional electronics.

The conversion from Red Roo features a new nose cone, wingtip extensions and pods, plus various different lengths of wire for the aerials. While the conversion was originally for the Classic Airframes kit it will fit the new Airfix Meteor. The new nose fits the fuselage well but the modeller will have to thin the resin of the replacement nose in order to accommodate the front landing gear assembly. The modeller will also have to remove the kit wing tips, and the cannon fairings. Decals in the form of serial numbers are provided for WK797, WH460 & WE902 of the RAF. Also A77-884, A77-207 & A77-882 of the RAAF.

Conclusion
This is a great little conversion from Red Roo which enables one of these 6 Australian Drones to be built, or any other U.16/U.21 with the modeller's own decals. Highly Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Ed Russell]

Let me repeat Julien's caution that this set is designed for the Classic Airframes kit and there will need to be adjustment for it to fit.

You can see here in David Clark's test-fit photo that the CA nose is wider than the Airfix nose. We are currently investigating re-vamping the conversion to provide a precisely fitting nose cone.

[Julien]

I test fitted mine with the bulkhead in the front of the fuselage and my fit was better than that. Not perfect but very workable.

Julien

[Ed Russell]

You are right - it is a much better fit with the bulkhead in place. So the message is....... if you want to do one now and don't mind a bit of sanding, it is okay to buy one of our existing conversions. if you want to wait for a precisely fitting one, it will happen but no promises as to when.

[Ed Russell]

I am posting these for David (whose Photobucket has a hole in it) to show that the Red Roo U16/21 nose, although designed for the CA kit can be wrangled into the Airfix one

It will look better with a bit of filling and blending.