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For quite a while I have been intrigued by thoughts of a Gloster Gladiator Monoplane a whatif model thrown together by Glosters when a small foreign power asks for a cheap monoplane because all its neighbours are getting shiny new 300mph fighters. Glosters were still building Gladiators so using as many parts from stock as possible a cheap and cheerful mono is produced. Unfortunately War were declared and Ruritania is invaded and cannot pay or receive the order so the Fleet Air Arm takes on the finished planes. Last night I was in my local Hobby Craft to buy some paints and I also picked up an Airfix 1/72 Gladiator for £6.50 in a slightly damaged box. I already have the alternative wing sprue from a Fokker DXXI kit and all I will need to do is scratch build retractable undercarriage though I am thinking of a different engine cowling and maybe lengthening the fuselage to move the cockpit aft of the wing. They also had an Airfix Hurricane kit for £8 which I might get for spares. All I have so far is the Airfix sprues IMG_20200211_123912609 by Stuart, on Flickr and the Fokker wing sprue from an MPM kit IMG_20200211_123927735 by Stuart, on Flickr I must say at first glance I am not too impressed with the Airfix sprues compared to the MPM sprue. The MPM is thinner harder plastic with much better panel detail the Airfix is softer, thicker and feels greasy even after I have washed it. Hopefully the two plastics will talk to each other when solvent is applied. Any suggestions welcome and if anyone has a spare NACA Bristol Mercury cowling from maybe a Bristol Blenheim build I will happily take it off your hands.

A2Zee is preparing in the Alley Cat range (?) 1/48th Gloster Meteor F.Mk.4 and T.Mk.7 resin conversion sets. NF. variants being also looked at. Conversion sets for Tamiya Meteor F.Mk.III or Airfix F.Mk.8? Source: http://www.alleycatmodels.co.uk/ To be followed V.P.

In 2019, ICM is to release new tool 1/32nd Gloster Gladiator kits: - ref. 32040 - Gloster Gladiator Mk.I, WWII British Fighter - release late November 2019 Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32040 Dedicated decals by ICM: - ref. D32004 - Gladiator Mk.I/II in Foreign Services - release Q4 2019 Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICMD32004 V.P.

Source: http://www.merit-int...01E04_01E05.jpg HK Models: http://www.hk-models.com/eng/p2_05.htm V.P.

Planet Model is to release a 1/72nd Gloster F.9/37 Reaper resin kit - ref. PLT260 Source: http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/petr-MPM/library/?sort=3&page=1#/user/petr-MPM/library/?sort=3&page=1&_suid=138200056297207744798718970436 Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_F.9/37 V.P.

The Meteor PR.5 has been a footnote in the Meteor's history: the prototype, VT347, crashed on its first flight, killing Gloster test pilot Rodney Dryland. As a result, no official photographs were taken of the PR.5 and it has faded into obscurity, receiving mention only as a one-off. Thanks to this excellent forum, I asked several weeks ago whether there did happen to be a photograph of the PR.5 and, as is the way of this excellent forum, I came-up trumps. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235044487-the-longest-of-long-shots-the-meteor-fr5/ Thanks to @Dave Fleming, I was guided to the one source of images of what was not the FR.5 but the PR.5, namely the Summer 2008 edition of Air-Britain Aeromilitaria. It would appear that a Gloster employee took a couple of snaps of VT347 before its fateful flight. I'd rather not reproduce the pictures here, but there was one general view at ground level and another close-up of the camera nose that was identical to that on the later PR.10. The following were apparent: The aircraft was, essentially, a long-span F.4 with a camera nose. The aircraft was unarmed and appeared not to be designed to carry guns, this being confirmed by the Air-Britain article. It was known that there was also a camera mounting in the rear fuselage. The aircraft was partially-painted: wings, rear fuselage and tail appeared sliver with Type C and C1 roundels but the mid and forward fuselage, plus the engines were in different shades of primer. The nose appeared to be painted silver. The colour details are largely speculative: the picture was a blow-up from what was probably a rather small print rather than one of those lovely 10"x8" prints so beloved of official photographers, while it was - of course - black and white. Studying various photographs of Meteor production, combined with my own knowledge and experience (10 years in the Aerospace industry) and a bit of asking around, I plumped for a variety of shades of primer green, including Airfix interior green (much too dark and blue for my eyes), Games Workshop Elysian Green (pretty good) and a mix of Elysian Green and Humbrol Beige Green that cam-up with a shade that matches my recollection of airframes in primer. The kit itself was the MPM Meteor Mk.4 'Record-Breaker' which provided the correct long-span wings, combined with a spare PR nose from the MPM Meteor T.7½ . Here is the finished model: And my 'works photo': Finally, a comparison with the later PR.10. More photos can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/albums/72157697272442550/with/44782802685/ Comments welcome. Kind regards, Neil

I think I know the answer to this before I ask, but if you don't ask, you don't get. Has ANYBODY ever seen a picture of the single Meteor FR.5? I have a drawing from Edward Shacklady's book buy I have never seen a photograph. In case you weren't aware, the FR.5 was the intended fighter reconnaissance version of the F.4, similar to how the FR.9 was to the F.8. The prototype, VT347 was a converted F.4 but crashed on its first flight on 15th June 1949, very sadly killing its pilot Rodney Dryland. I cannot imagine it was never photographed but perhaps it would have taken place as part of what would have been the development programme had it not been cut short. So, has anybody seen a picture of the ill-fated VT347? Cheers, Neil

The Gloster VI in 1/48 A fellow member of IPMS Austria friend of mine designed the kit. And for some kit I gave him, I got this kit as Thank You! This kit is from the Wiener Modellbau Manifaktur Gloster VI how to buy It is resin with etched parts. Nice made and a unique model too. Happy modelling

Meteor T.7 VZ634 at Newark Air Museum, pics mine.

Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS739 at Newark Air Museum, pics mine.

Special Hobby is to release in Spring 2107 a 1/72nd Gloster Meteor Mk.4 "World Speed Record" kit - ref. SH72361 Source: http://www.specialhobby.net/2017/02/sh72361-gloster-meteor-mk4-world-speed.html Box art V.P.

Gloster Meteor F.4 This is EE531 at The Midland Air Museum. Technically this is the oldest Meteor in UK as the prototype aircraft did not carry the Meteor Name.

As announced ( http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234973406-merit-cataloguefolder-2015-2016/?hl=merit), Merit is to release 1/48th Gloster Gladiator kits. - ref. 64803 - Gloster Gladiator Mk.I - ref. 64804 - Gloster Gladiator Mk.II First boxing is expected for 3rd Quarter 2015 Source: https://www.facebook.com/MeritIntlLtd/photos/a.117819558309628.25722.117797744978476/881471455277764/?type=1&theater Box art V.P.

This is the *finally* completed Airfix 1/48th Gloster Meteor F.8 marked as WH364 believed operated by Royal Air Force No.85 Squadron out of RAF Binbrook in 1948. Supplied by the always reliable MJW Models May last year, built Out of Box and airbrushed in Humbrol Metalcote 'Aluminium'. I did use Humbrol Dark Grey Wash in the gun bays and the engine nacelle. Quite a few mistakes and some parts missing however I am impressed with this kit, a bit different from the Airfix of my very young days! What was good? I loved the detail in the cockpit, the gun bay, and the jet engines. Superb decals as well. Generally went together really well. Not so good? The nose wheel well area, was a serious challenge. My first Airfix kit for many years and seriously impressed! Michael

Pics by Graham James from Old Warden

Hi all, Is there anyone out there who has a good knowledge of the Argentine Meteors an their colours? I'm writing because I'm sceptical, but open to be wrong! My question is about the multitude (seemingly) of highly coloured HSS Meteors, many with cheguerboards, stripes and/or large panels of red, yellow or black .... and more. My scepticism comes from the fact that while I the decal producers show these in their offerings I can only find artificial images on line, most of which are from SimPC users. The only true images I can find on line show either HSSS or the later camouflage. I have to say, though, that there are some museum/pole examples with these schemes but even they are not giving me much confidence. Any thoughts? Am I way off beam? Thanks. Martin PS: I have an MPM Meteor F.4 ready to go so awaiting your thoughts eagerly!!!

Hi, I finished this one a couple of weeks back. Finally got her into the photo booth. Xtradecals leave a lot to be desired, with mis numbering, brittleness etc to deal with, but gentle coaxing with X-20A did the trick... 1:48 Airfix meteor F8 NEW TOOL Paints used: Gunze Light Aircraft Grey, Tamiya XF-3 Flat yellow, XF-69 NATO Black Extras: Pavla Mk 4 Seat, Albion Alloys telescopic Aluminium tube for Pitot Decals: Xtradecal X48160 Cheers Chris

AZ Model has just released three new boxings (new decals) from its old 1/72nd Gloster Gauntlet kit. Source: http://modelweb.modelforum.cz/2016/04/12/novinky-az-model-duben-2016-ii/ Gloster Gauntlet Mk.II "RAF" Gloster Gauntlet Mk.II "Munich crisis" Gloster Gauntlet Mk.II "Over Finland" V.P.

Hello all One of my recent completions, the marvellous Gloster Javelin from Airfix. I did this one in the scheme of XH903, which is on display at the Jet Age Museum not far from me, here in Gloucestershire. I did offer to donate this to the museum to sit alongside some of the other models they have on display there, but no response at all from them, which was disappointing. Anyhow, this beast just manages to squeeze onto my display shelf, so at least it's on display somewhere. This is quite a heavy kit when done, with a fair bit of nose weight required, so I thought it was worth getting a metal undercarriage set from SAC. Also tried scratchbuilding seat harnesses from Tamiya tape for the first time as there aren't any supplied with the kit's seats. Airbrushed in a mix of Tamiya and Mr Hobby acrylics, weathered with some oils and Flory Dark Dirt wash. Posed it with everything open just to show all that lovely detail. My only complaint would be the quality of the decals, the roundels in particular wouldn't settle nicely into the panel lines despite repeated attacks of Microsol - any other issues were of my own making. Overall though a great kit and a pleasure to build. Thanks for looking Adam

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.

Meteor F.8 Update Sets (for Airfix) 1:48 Eduard Airfix's long awaited F.8 in 1:48 has been well-received, and Eduard have been working in cooperation with them to produce these new sets to improve on the detail provided in the box. As usual with Eduard's Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets, they arrive in a flat resealable package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between. Interior (49765) Although the kit cockpit is quite well detailed, this two sheet set provides a lot more detail, as well as colour, as one of the frets is nickel-plated and pre-painted. It includes parts for the side consoles; rudder pedals; a highly detailed instrument panel; some smaller parts to improve the kit parts, and a comprehensive update to the ejection seat. Airfix provide two seat fronts, one with belts moulded in, the other without, which Eduard have taken advantage of to give us a full set of crew belts; detail skins for the seat sides; replacement head armour and headbox top. In addition, there is a small detail part in each cannon bay, and a replacement bay door with laminated ribs. This would also allow you to add some realistic oil-canning to the panel, which is absent from the kit parts. Undercarriage (48882) This brass fret contains replacement detail for the bays, which requires you to remove the moulded-in detail from the walls and roof of the main bays, as there is quite a lot already there, but a bit over-scale due to the limitations of injection moulding. A full set of skins, a new lattice-work of ribs and stringers, plus bay furniture go into the void to produce a much more realistic finish. The nose gear bay receives wall skins, and the various bay doors get inner skins to replicate the detail found there. Finally, a new set of skins for the inner surfaces of the air-brakes is included for some reason, presumably because there isn't a true "exterior" set for the kit. Engines (48883) The kit includes basic engines with removable panels, which is a nice feature, and this brass sheet improves on the detail therein. The intake frame is moulded into a stub spar with both intakes attached at the ends. A fine mesh panel is included to replace the kit moulded detail. The conical intake mesh on the intake funnel is also replaced with PE, and for both sections you will need to remove the moulded-in detail before installation. A little care in forming the cut-off cone will also be needed, but if you get it to roughly formed you can then press it into shape over the intake itself. A number of circular inspection panels are added to the combustion chambers, and the starter equipment at the front is also upgraded with additional detail, then the intake cowling is given a skin for the rear surface that will be seen with the cowling open. The cowling itself is made up from two sections, one narrow and one large, which must be formed to the correct curve, which can be done over the kit parts after annealing in a flame and allowing it to air cool to soften the brass. There is a frame inside the cowlings, with what appears to be a panel line down the centre of the larger one. This is actually a guide for a rib that runs down the inside of thr cowling. There is a slight discrepancy with some of the fasteners on the cowling edge, but nothing that most modellers would worry about. If you're interested, just Google up some pictures. There should also be a slightly raised section around the edges of the larger panel, where there is a double layer of metal. This could be replicated by an additional layer of primer however, after masking off the centre of the panel. Landing Flaps (48884) The Meteor's flaps are quite small for the size of the aircraft, and are embedded in a shallow bay in the wings, which requires you to remove a section of the lower wing, which is shown on the instructions, and has a recessed panel line all around on the kit to make the job easier. The bay folds up from a single part and fixes inside the part, and the upper wing halves will need thinning to allow them to be glued flush. The flap is made up from one main part with a solitary separate rib that fits at an angle, after which you will need to thread some of your own 1mm rod through the holes at the leading edge to complete the hinge-point. All of this has to be done twice, once for each side. Masks (EX498) These Kabuki tape masks are pre-cut to fix directly to the model, and include the three panes of the windscreen, as well as border masks for the main canopy, which due to its curved nature wouldn't take a single part mask. The rest can be filled-in with scrap tape or masking fluid at your whim. Additionally, a set of wheel hub masks are included to allow you to paint your tyres after the hubs. Review sample courtesy of

Good evening gentlemen, yes I do have a serious weakness for the early british jets Cheers from Czech rep. Andrew

Heritage Aviation is to release a 1/32nd Gloster Meteor F.Mk.3 resin conversion set for the HK Meteor F.Mk.4 kit. Source: http://www.kitsforcash.com/latest-news-2-w.asp V.P.

After the F.Mk.8 & FR.Mk.9 conversion sets ( http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234928052-132-gloster-meteor-fmk4-by-hk-models-released-fishers-fmk8-conversion-set-released/?p=1609350 & http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234983243-132-meteor-fr9-conversion-from-fisher/?hl=meteor ), Fisher Model & Pattern is working on a 1/32nd Gloster Meteor T.Mk.7 conversion set for the HK Models kit (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234928052-132-gloster-meteor-fmk4-by-hk-models-released-fishers-fmk8-conversion-set-released/?hl=meteor). Source: https://www.facebook.com/DutchDecal/photos/a.319071761559888.1073741826.319066551560409/722135631253497/?type=3&theater V.P.

After the F.Mk.8, FR.Mk.9 & T.Mk.7 conversion sets ( http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234928052-132-gloster-meteor-fmk4-by-hk-models-released-fishers-fmk8-conversion-set-released/?p=1609350 ; http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234983243-132-meteor-fr9-conversion-from-fisher/?hl=meteor ; http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234989951-132-gloster-meteor-tmk7-conversion-set-by-fisher-model-pattern-on-pre-order-release-february-2016), Fisher Model & Pattern is working on a 1/32nd Gloster Meteor NF.Mk.11 conversion set for the HK Models kit ( http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234928052-132-gloster-meteor-fmk4-by-hk-models-released-fishers-fmk8-conversion-set-released/?hl=meteor). Source: https://www.facebook.com/DutchDecal/photos/a.319071761559888.1073741826.319066551560409/758368820963511/?type=3&theater V.P.