Meteor FR9 colour schemes?

[PaulR]

Hi all,

well, my theraputic Tamiya Beaufighter TFX build is coming to an end, and I am browsing the stash for something with nice bright RAF markings . . . and my eyes alight on the MPM Meteor FR9 in 1/72, complete with rather spiffy 8 sqn markings. Am all set to build, but a nagging doubt has entered my head, because while the kit indicates PRU blue undersides with Dark Sea Grey/Dark Green topsides, I am sure I read that many FR9s were finished in PRU blue and Light Slate Grey/Medium Sea Grey topsides. Would anyone know what the deal is on this? Is there a serial/colour scheme tie up available?

The plane in question is WZ603, of C flight, 8 sqn Sharjah circa 1959.

Would be grateful if anyone could shed any light on this.

Best regards, Paul

[Giorgio N]

I am sure I read that many FR9s were finished in PRU blue and Light Slate Grey/Medium Sea Grey topsides. Would anyone know what the deal is on this? Is there a serial/colour scheme tie up available?

You read well, that scheme (short range day fighter) was used for a while on a few types, with the Meteor FR.9 being probably the best known.

There are a couple of articles describing the scheme and its use on the meteor on old Model Aircraft Monthly issues, I'll have a look and see if there's any indication of which serial numbers would have carried it.

[Graham T]

I've always asumed that machines of this unit were painted in the Dark Green/Dark Sea Grey over PRU Blue scheme. Photos certainly seem to suggest this (I'm looking at one of WX978/Z of 8 squadron now).

[Dave Fleming]

Is there a photo? - high demarcation meand LSG/MSG scheme, low means DSG/DG

[Seahawk]

You need to grab hold of a copy of the Feb 2011 copy of Flypast which had a colour photo of 208 Sq FR.9s WL263 J and VX578 R. I should be reunited with my references this evening: I'll dig it out if no-one else has chipped in by then.

[Giorgio N]

I checked the article on MAM and mentions the change in scheme from silver to the then new light slate grey/medium sea grey/ pru blue scheme probably happening within the WH serial number range. However some earlier planes were repainted as pictures of them exist in this scheme.

Said that, the scheme was supposed to have been deleted in 1953 and although some planes continued to use it (there are pictures of meteors so painted used during the Suez conflict), by 1959 the correct colour scheme would be dark green /dark sea grey / pru blue.

One thing I noticed is that no Meteor FR.9 in the WZ range is listed as built on the article, and a search on some references showed that WZ603 is in a batch of Vampire T.11s. So I wonder if maybe your plane actually is VZ603 ? This was a FR.9 that was sure used by 8 Sqn. The caption to this picture from the web says VZ603 is the plane in the background, to me it looks more like VZ604.

http://www.airteamimages.com/129419.html

Whatever the identiy, these are planes from the same unit and although the markings are different the colour scheme is IMHO the same (that is dark green, dark sea grey and PRU blue)

Edited October 25, 2011 by Giorgio N

[Seahawk]

Colour pics in Feb 2011 Flypast:

WL263 O: DSG/DG/PRU blue with yellow trim on nose and nosewheel door. White code on fin, very pale/faded blue on fuselage bars. Date: December 1957.

VX578 R: natural metal with yellow nose trim and canopy rear. Red code on fin, much bluer fuselage bars. Date: 1951.