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Airfix Model World
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IN FOCUS

METEOR F.4

IN FOCUS

METEOR F.4

A number of F.4s were also

employed for experimental and

trails purposes. This included

important work with Rolls-Royce

on jet engine development and

installation, and an early example

was F.4 RA435, used by Rolls-

Royce for Derwent engine testing,

and was eventually fitted with two

examples of the Derwent engine

upgraded with reheat, to thus

become one of the first aircraft

ever equipped with afterburning

turbojet engines. Other

powerplants flown experimentally

in F.4 airframes included the Rolls-

Royce Nene and Avon jet engines,

the Metropolitan-Vickers Beryl

turbojet, and French SNECMA Atar

jet engine.

Development potential

Further improvement work by

Gloster on the Meteor's basic

layout led to the upgraded single-

seat Meteor F.8 fighter, for which

an F.4 airframe, VT150, was used

for development purposes; it

initially flew in this role during

October 1948. Following a

production go-ahead the Meteor

F.8 began to replace the F.4 in

RAF service from 1950 onwards,

while another iconic British day

fighter of the early Cold War era,

Sydney Camm's Hawker Hunter,

eventually took over the reigns

of Britain’s daytime air defences

from the Meteor line during the

later 1950s. ❚

IN FOCUS

METEOR F.4

IN FOCUS

METEOR F.4

The Meteor began its operational life during World War Two,

and continued in RAF service well into the Cold War era. As

such it straddled a change in official designation nomenclature.

During World War Two, Roman numerals were used in Britain to

describe different mark numbers within a military aircraft type’s

manufacturing and operational life. This practice continued into

the post-war period, but was comparatively soon replaced by

the use of Arabic numerals instead of Roman. A letter designator

to describe the aircraft’s specific role (eg. ‘F’ for ‘Fighter’) also

came into widespread use with the adoption of Arabic numerals.

Therefore the early marks of Meteor in RAF service were the

Mk.I and Mk.III. During the development and production of the

F.4, however, the change in notation took place; early Meteors

of this version were initially named F.IV, with the more normal

title F.4 (as used in this article) duly taking effect. Later marks of

Meteor, for example the T.7 two-seat trainer and NF.14 two-seat

dedicated night-fighter, all used Arabic numerals.

A late-1940s formation of Meteor F.4s coded ‘LZ’ belonging to 66 Squadron. The Meteor line

was somewhat affectionately nicknamed ‘Meatbox’. (via John Batchelor)

Several Meteors were used for engine development and related trials work, including

this F.4 which was re-engined with afterburning Rolls-Royce Derwent turbojets for test

purposes. (Malcolm V. Lowe Collection)

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