Meteor F.8 WH476/T 89 Sqn RAF - Intakes

[Wez]

Being slightly obtuse in nature, I'm interested in modelling those Meteor F.8's that served with units other than those used by the standard Fighter Command Day Fighter or RAuxAF units - to me they're just, more interesting. I'm talking Night Fighter units mostly but also APS/TF aircraft.

Xtradecal X48159 has an option for such an aircraft, WH476/T of 89 Sqn based at Stradishall in 1956.

The big question for any WH serialled Meteor is, did it have wide or narrow breather intakes? WH serialled jets weren't necessarily built with wide breather intakes, that applied to WK or WL serialled jets, but many earlier aircraft received Mod.1175 (Introduction of nacelle nose with larger air intake), the big question is did WH476? Is it a Wide or Narrow Breather aircraft?

A picture or at least a link to such a picture would be greatly appreciated (and yes, I have already tried Mr Google with numerous permutations to find the answer).

I'm not in any rush to make this model but it would be nice to know in advance.

Regards

Wez

[bentwaters81tfw]

This question was posed recently. WH airframes are narrow breathers.

[Wez]

This question was posed recently. WH airframes are narrow breathers.

No, some are and some aren't, likewise even earlier airframes, they may have been built as Narrow Breathers but it depends on whether they had Mod.1175 embodied. For instance, I have a picture of F.8 WH291/T in service with 85 Sqn RAF taken at RAF Chivenor c.1970/71, it has Wide Breather intakes, there are many other examples.

I'm asking whether a specific airframe had been embodied with that Mod?

Edited June 12, 2016 by Wez

[71chally]

Seems to have been a photographically shy aircraft, is it worth contacting Xtradecal to see what there sources where?

Maybe the individual history held at DORIS detail the mod change?

[Wez]

Seems to have been a photographically shy aircraft, is it worth contacting Xtradecal to see what there sources where?

Maybe the individual history held at DORIS detail the mod change?

Yes, it does seem a bit camera shy. That's a good suggestion about contacting Xtradecal (Hannants), or maybe even dropping Jon Freeman on BM an IM seeing as he does the artwork for Xtradecal...

What's DORIS? Never heard of that!

[71chally]

That was the Department of Research & Information Services area of the RAF Museum at Hendon, but just noticed that they don't seem to call themselves that anymore!

Link to them here, http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/Research/Research-Enquiries/e-Info-Sheet-5-Aircraft.pdf

Some aircraft service histories are very comprehensive, some pretty basic.

[Wez]

That was the Department of Research & Information Services area of the RAF Museum at Hendon, but just noticed that they don't seem to call themselves that anymore!

Link to them here, http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/Research/Research-Enquiries/e-Info-Sheet-5-Aircraft.pdf

Some aircraft service histories are very comprehensive, some pretty basic.

Thanks for that - another source to delve into.

[Jon Kunac-Tabinor]

Hi Wez - sorry - just saw this. There's a pic on page 319 of Cold War Shield Vol2 showing this machine.

Its a small pic but clearly shows that WH476 had a later style clear canopy and wide breather intakes. Alas the aileron type isnt clear Im afraid.

2 things to note from the pic compared to the decal sheet: The white code letter on the fin side "T" is not in evidence and the forward fuselage dividing line between upper and lower colours is very high - its runs immediately below ( almost on in fact) the lower cannon port fairing, and the division line on the engine nacelle are also "high" being on a level with the wing leading & trailing edge. You see the high nacelle line on some aircraft - but the fuselage one seems unique.

HTH

Jonners

[Wez]

Hi Wez - sorry - just saw this. There's a pic on page 319 of Cold War Shield Vol2 showing this machine.

Its a small pic but clearly shows that WH476 had a later style clear canopy and wide breather intakes. Alas the aileron type isnt clear Im afraid.

2 things to note from the pic compared to the decal sheet: The white code letter on the fin side "T" is not in evidence and the forward fuselage dividing line between upper and lower colours is very high - its runs immediately below ( almost on in fact) the lower cannon port fairing, and the division line on the engine nacelle are also "high" being on a level with the wing leading & trailing edge. You see the high nacelle line on some aircraft - but the fuselage one seems unique.

HTH

Jonners

Jonners,

Many thanks! I suspected that Cold War Shield may have provided the answer to my question, what a shame I didn't have the foresight to buy them when they were published

I get what you mean about the demarcation, the Aviation Photo Company will sell me a print of this aircraft which I may have to invest in, particularly as I will hopefully be able to make out the aileron type (I keep on forgetting about the ailerons too), the print would allow me to get the details right.

Regards

Wez

[Jon Kunac-Tabinor]

Jonners,

Many thanks! I suspected that Cold War Shield may have provided the answer to my question, what a shame I didn't have the foresight to buy them when they were published

I get what you mean about the demarcation, the Aviation Photo Company will sell me a print of this aircraft which I may have to invest in, particularly as I will hopefully be able to make out the aileron type (I keep on forgetting about the ailerons too), the print would allow me to get the details right.

Regards

Wez

Hi Wez - just searched for WH476 on that site- and I can't see a pic?

cheers

joiners

[Wez]

Hi Wez - just searched for WH476 on that site- and I can't see a pic?

cheers

joiners

Jonners,

You won't see a pic but I did get three links to buy prints of differing sizes. I must admit I haven't tried to buy one yet, I'll give it a go when I get back home and let you know how I get on.