WH453 arrived at the museum in January 2005 having arrived from Llanbedr in Wales, where it had previously been in use as a static engine test frame after retiring from flying in 1990. The aircraft started life as an F.8 fighter version serving with RAF 222sqn, 72Sqn and then 5 CAACU. In 1972 it was one of several Meteor airframes selected to be converted to a U.16 drone, which meant it could be flown by remote control from the ground whilst towing a target banner for aircraft to practice shooting at. The aircraft is currently undergoing a long term full restoration back to a F.8 fighter version and will be painted in the colours of 72 Sqn when complete.

TECHNICAL SPECS

Manufacturer: Gloster Aircraft Company
Purpose: Single seat day fighter
Crew: One
Wingspan: 37 ft 2” / 11.8 metres
Length: 44 ft 7” / 13.5 metres
Height: 13 ft / 3.9 metres
Weight (Empty): 10,684 lb. / 4,846 kg
Service ceiling: 43,000 ft / 13,106 metres
Engines: 2x Rolls Royce Derwent 8
Performance: 598mph at 10,000 ft
Weapons: 4x 20mm Hispano cannons

WH453 HISTORY

Construction no. – G5/415582
Place of manufacture – built by Gloster aircraft company at Huccelcote
Date of Manufacture – work completed 12th October 1951
Type – built as an F.8, converted to U.16/D.16
Date of delivery to RAF –  19th October 1951
Assignments -

• 19th October 1951 33MU (Maintenance unit)
• 11th March 1952 delivered to 222 Sqn at RAF Leuchars
• 9th May 1954 to Avro factory at Langar for maintenance
• 30th May 1954 delivered to 72Sqn at RAF Church Fenton
• 1st May 1956 delivered to 5 CAACU
• 13th October 1971 to 5 MU
• 18th April 1972 to MOD for U.16 drone conversion
• 9th April 1974 to Flight Refuelling for drone equipment installation
• 9th August 1974 to RAE West Freugh
• 6th January 1975 to RAE Llanbedr
• 13th September 1976 to Flight refueling for upgrades
• 24th November 1976 to RAE Llanbedr
• 10th October 1990 removed from flying at Llanbedr and used as static engine test frame

Total flying hours –  4106.55
Date received by the museum – 18th January 2005