Meteor F8 Ailerons - when did they change?

[Dave Fleming]

Anyone know when the F8 ailerons changed? I thought I had this info, but I can't find it!

[Wez]

I don't know the timeline but it was introduced as a modification.  I would suspect later aircraft were delivered with them fitted, the remainder of the fleet would have had them fitted as they cycled through maintenance (probably Minor/Minor Star/Major rather than Sqn level Primary/Primary Star).

 

This obviously makes things tricky because it's something you'd want to know applied to the particular aircraft your modelling, hopefully you can find a photo of your subject which shows this detail.

[T-21]

Mod.1092  fitting of inboard geared balance tab and standard spring outboard tab on ailerons (so two tabs instead of one on the ailerons) was introduced on mid production F.8s in the WH,WK and WL serial range. WH serial range came off the production line in late 1951.

 

WH483 A&AEE, Boscombe Down, carried out tests with spring-tab ailerons that revealed an improvement in rate of roll and a reduction in lateral stick forces at the higher speed range. Spinning characteristics with spring-tabs did not differ from those of the standard F.8 with geared-tab ailerons. Source : The Gloster Meteor by Edward Shacklady.

 

The PR.9 and night fighter variants had them fitted. Earlier series  F.8s VZ,WA,WE,WF range Meteor F.8 and the T.7 would have them fitted as a modification when they went in for servicing as Wez has mentioned.

Edited December 3, 2022 by T-21

[Dave Fleming]

Thank you, it’s a WL series airframe, so that confirms it.