Vintage1

Yes they were. In my time they actually worked as well, not that they ever flew at night or in bad weather as they were very cosetted aircraft. You've done a great job from my description and now I've located a photo, a makeshift cowling was also added on the starboard side to cover the top of the V/UHF set. The makeshift addition came across the top of the set and down the right hand side into the gap between the set and cockpit wall/DV window. The angle of your photo might be deceptive though as it just looks to me as if the top of the set is exposed somewhat. Hope you don't think I'm being too critical - I just know if it was me doing it I'd want it right but I couldn't attempt what you've done just yet, well I probably could but would make a pigs ear of it. Still learning to walk again.

You're about there. The second altimeter actually sat in the cradle for what was the gunsight on the port side. It was faced with a black painted piece of aluminium purely to make it look like it was sat behind a panel and, as you looked at it the top of the altimeter would pass through the centre line of the stopwatch. On the starboard side the gunsight cradle was removed and that's where the V/UHF radio was fitted on an angle as stated previously. Can't for the life of me remember the type though I do have a picture somewhere. Where your black circle is (RH side) on your picture that's where the transponder was fitted. Couple of other things I've remembered XH304 was hand stencilled in white on the starboard side just to the left of the top of your circle There was also a simple ball type compass mounted on top of the IP cowling and either side of that were the IP lights Canopy jettison lever was black and yellow, again hand painted The port side throttle lever, HP fuel cock and trim wheel were slightly more weathered than those on the starboard side as they were getting all the use. the starboard side only got used when new display pilots were being trained. Feel free to pick my brains when you come to do the other half. Look forward to that build as well Bryan

Been watching this forum for ages and joined to answer your question re flap bays. I served on Vintage Pair (ground crew) 1982-84 and in that time period the flap bays on XH304 were aluminium as per the wheel bays, though that colour did not apply to all interior surfaces. Have to say you are doing a great job and can't wait to see the outcome Point to note, and not a criticism in any way, but the instrument panel in XH304 didn't quite match those aftermarket ones you used. The pilot had an additional altimeter directly in front of him with a stopwatch to the left in line with the de-mister pipe for the DV window. The starboard side consisted of the radios and transponder, the radio being set at a slight angle to face the pilot. When you come to applying decals the pilots names were always on the port side with the ground crews on the starboard. If you are going to do her with the nose open then bear in mind a lot of the non essential stuff was stripped out as we carried our support kit in there, personal baggage was carried in the Meteor. Enough for now I'd better nip over and introduce myself properly.