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Gloster Meteor Mk.IV 'World Speed Record' - 1:72 Special Hobby


Paul A H

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Gloster Meteor Mk.IV 'World Speed Record'

1:72 Special Hobby

 

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The twin-engined Gloster Meteor was jointly developed by Frank Whittle’s Power Jets Limited and the Gloster Aircraft Company. It was first flown in March 1943. When 616 Squadron commenced operations on the type in July 1944, it became the first jet fighter to enter operational service with the Royal Air Force. Forbidden to fly the Meteor over occupied territory, 616 Squadron used the new aircraft to combat the threat of V-1 flying bombs, eventually accounting for 14 of them. The design evolved considerably in the post-war period, spawning night fighters, reconnaissance aircraft and target tugs among other variants. The Mk. IV was the first major post-war variant. It was powered by Derwent 5 engines, housed in elongated nacelles. Additional wing strengthening was incorporated into the design, but was found to be insufficient. The clipped wing was introduced in order to reduce stress on the airframe, resulting in improved maneuverability but reduced rate of climb and service ceiling. The type was used to set a number of speed records, a fact which this edition of the kit celebrates.

 

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Special Hobby's Meteor is a tried and tested kit, having been released in multiple guises by Special Hobby themselves, Revell and (briefly) Airfix. The cockpit is well detailed for the scale, and there is a decal for the instrument panel. Nose weight is an absolute must, and there should be enough space for this in the area of the nose in front of the cockpit. The lower wing is moulded as a single span up to and including the engine nacelles, with seperate outer wings, while the upper wing is split into four parts. If you want to build the overall blue aircraft, you'll need to use the clipped outer wings, while the other three aircraft all have the regular MK.III style wing. The landing gear is nicely detailed, but joins to the landing gear bays by way of a simple butt joint, so watch out as it could be easily broken off once fitted. The canopy is pretty good, and Special Hobby have included masks for all of the different marking options provided on the decal sheet. This is handy as some of these machines had specially adapted canopies.

 

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The decal sheet provides for three options:

  • Meteor EE455, a Mk.III converted to a Mk.IV and flown by Gloster Chief Test Pilot Eric Greenwood OBE, who achieved a speed of 603mph on 7 November 1945. This aicraft is finished in yellow, with silver outer wings and horizontal tail;
  • Meteor EE454, another Mk.III converted to a Mk.IV and flown by Wing Commander Hugh Joseph Wilson, AFC and two Bars, who achieved a speed of 606mph on 7 November 1945. This aircraft is finished in standard Ocean Grey and Dark Green over Medium Sea Grey camouflage;
  • Meteor EE549, an adapted Mk.IV with modified canopy (for which paint masks are included), flown by Group Captain E.M. Donaldson, who achieved a speed of 616mph; and
  • Meteor EE549, another adapted Mk.IV with clipped wings. This aicraft established a new Paris-London record of 520mph on the return from the 1946 Parish Air Show. It is finished in overall pale blue.

 

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Conclusion

 

Special Hobby has the day fighter Meteor market pretty sewn up, but it's still good to see them using their tooling to release some special scheme boxings like this. The overall package is pretty complete, partcularly with the addition of paints masks, decals and full-colour painting diagram. Overall, this is a nice kit an can be highly recommended.

 

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Review sample courtesy of 


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