Gloster Meteor T7 at Bruntingthorpe

WL405 · #1 27th February 2009, 03:09

Well a couple of people said that I should post some pictures of the move of my new project Gloster Meteor T7, WL405 which arrived at Bruntingthorpe late yesterday afternoon.

The aircraft was purchased from the Meteor Flight then housed at Yatesbury and now holds the distinction of being the last Meteor to leave the gymnasium of the former RAF station

For those interested in how you move a Meteor I will post pictures in the order of how the day proceeded.

Many thanks first off must go to Dave Walton. Without his generosity we would not have a secure home now.

Many thanks to Ritch & Max for coming along for the day. Surprisingly it didnt cost me any drinks or food (Im sure that will change somewhere along the line eh Ritch?).

Big thanks to my mate Simon who was our lorry/hi-ab operator for the day. This is his third aircraft move not that you would know. Treated my girl like the crown jewels he did

.

First job of the day was to load the centre section.

WL405 · #2 27th February 2009, 03:35

So with the centre section safely loaded we next wheeled out of the old gymnasium the rear fuselage followed by the cockpit section ready for loading. The rear section is actually from an F8 and has never been fitted to an airframe before and the condition has to be seen to be believed. Please ignore the bird sh*t that can be seen in picture 2.

Despite the fantastic condition of the rear fuselage IF anybody knows of an early style rear fuselage thats available to swap or purchase then please contact me.

Orange jacket is Simon, other two bods in view are Ritch (facing camera) & Max also from the forum & of course Brunty.

WL405 · #3 27th February 2009, 03:52

OK to the cockpit shots now then chaps.

WL405 · #4 27th February 2009, 03:57

Last of the pics taken whilst at Yatesbury.

WL405 · #5 27th February 2009, 04:34

Taken from the "Brunty Arrivals since 1988" thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacey24b

Especially as youre next door to us
will have to discuss a few common parts i noticed on the
airworthy restoration that the ignitor boxes seem to be the same as
vixen, we've got quite a few working ones

when do you plan to re-assemble and get on her feet again

Hello Matt,

I have seen you around at Brunty but Ive not had a chance to introduce myself yet. Yes we will def have to see how we can help each other out.

The plan ? well............................ two things to do next. I have a large container full of Meteor spares and I need to sort it all into some kind of order so that I know what Ive got and whats missing. Obviously looking initially for the bits and bobs to reassemble tha airframe but also for undercarriage related parts.

I also have to sort out the canopy. One came with the airframe purchase but its in a dismantled format. The Meteor Flight stripped one to overhaul and then stopped work on it to concentrate on another one that they had.

If anyone has a complete T7 canopy or knows of one thats available Im more than willing to take it of your hands to save me a lot of hard work

Rlangham · #6 27th February 2009, 10:11

Nice to see a Meteor back at Brunty... couldn't be a more suitable location for one, especially as it's where Whittle took his first flight in a jet, taking (without authorisation) a Meteor F1 for a quick joy ride!

XH668 · #7 27th February 2009, 11:05

Cor dont see look lovely, i said to martin in a PM that brunti is now the perfect place for a 50's 60's 70's jet lover like me

my perfect "hangar"

Good luck with her
668

philip turland · #8 27th February 2009, 11:10

what is the plan with the meteor?

static or taxi

pop over to the beech hangar and see us anytime

philip

pagen01 · #9 27th February 2009, 11:12

She looks in good nick, is it a potential flyer?

WL405 · #10 27th February 2009, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip turland

what is the plan with the meteor?

static or taxi

pop over to the beech hangar and see us anytime

philip

Hi Philip,

The aim long term is to have her running again. Wont be for a long time yet though.

I will definately come over to meet you at somepoint. I have been around your hanger before and hats of to you the work you guys do is amazing. I did in all honesty have to try very hard not to dribble all over your hanger floor while walking around.

Likewise if you see a confused looking sod scratching his head whilst looking at the Meteor please do come over and say hello.

WL405 · #11 27th February 2009, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagen01

She looks in good nick, is it a potential flyer?

Well the Meteor Flights www states that it was bought with the aim to restore it to flight and Ive heard that there is enough hours left on the airframe.

However a request for info on the airframe on another forum turned up this little jem of information. I hope that the poster doesnt mind me copying and pasting his text.

"I was an apprentice at the RAE from 1978 to 1972. As you know WL405 was a training aircraft for apprentices and as a fresh faced 16 year old she was one of the first aircraft I worked on (Boy she was different to the 777’s and A330’s that I work on now!) When we first started she was complete but as we moved into a smaller hanger (A shed) we were told to remove the tail and wing and mount her on three stands so we could user her as a hydraulic training rig. The wings and tail I believe were sold to a museum up in the northeast.
Between the inner wings, aft of the fuselage joint we manufactured a false spar so that the electricians could mount various lights and black boxes as training exercises. I removed and re fitted the speed brakes as an exercise. The other apprentice who I worked with went on to be the manager of the engine bay of a well known formula one racing team!
As for WL405’s previous life I know very little except that she was grounded because she had stability problem. All aircraft when you disturb them from straight and level flight should return to straight and level flight when you release the controls. WL405 didn’t! In pitch the oscillations got worse. There is a name for the effect but I cannot think of it at the moment. But any way she was deemed non airworthy and the apprentices got her"

And below is the false spar which will shortly be removed.

Cking · #12 27th February 2009, 11:58

Hi WL405 remember me? (Same name different forum) Of course I don’t mind you re posting.
If you look at the extream right end of the spare in your picture there is a triangular shaped rib extending aft of the spar. Our apprentice master, the Late Doug Beckford, designed that as an apprentice test piece. We all had to make one and the best was fitted to the aircraft. It took me days to make mine, so I thought “B*****r it going on the aircraft, I’m having it!” I still have it and the next time I’m in the loft I’ll get it down and post a picture of it.
The upper and lower angles were drilled and riveted together by myself and a few of the other lads, so no comments about the poor riveting!!!!

It is a shame all our hard work has to go though.
Oh by the way the hydraulic reservoir was ruptured by a guy who now works for British Airways and one who works for United!!!!

Rgds Cking

WL405 · #13 27th February 2009, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cking

Hi WL405 remember me? (Same name different forum) Of course I don’t mind you re posting.
If you look at the extream right end of the spare in your picture there is a triangular shaped rib extending aft of the spar. Our apprentice master, the Late Doug Beckford, designed that as an apprentice test piece. We all had to make one and the best was fitted to the aircraft. It took me days to make mine, so I thought “B*****r it going on the aircraft, I’m having it!” I still have it and the next time I’m in the loft I’ll get it down and post a picture of it.
The upper and lower angles were drilled and riveted together by myself and a few of the other lads, so no comments about the poor riveting!!!!

It is a shame all our hard work has to go though.
Oh by the way the hydraulic reservoir was ruptured by a guy who now works for British Airways and one who works for United!!!!

Rgds Cking

Hello again,

I do indeed remember you. So much so that if you check the forum I borrowed this from you will find a PM from me advising you of this very thread

Please dont worry about the bits coming of. They are part of the aircrafts history so they will be put away somewhere safe. They wont be binned I promise.

If you want to be reunited with the Meteor let me know and Im sure we can arrange something.

Chox · #14 27th February 2009, 14:37

I thought this aircraft was being restored to flying condition? Does this mean the Meteor Flight project is scrubbed now?

WL405 · #15 27th February 2009, 16:05

Samegroup but a differant aircraft Tim.

Their aircraft is now at Kemble been finished off.

http://www.meteorflight.com/

320psi · #16 27th February 2009, 19:31

Welcome to Bruntingtorpe mate

Thanks for your help clearing the snow from the apron before the twlight 'do' in Feb, it was good to meet you

If there's anything at all we can do to help you, you know where we are, we are in that big steel shed in the tree's

Just shout

All the very best of luck with your project

Will be there this Sunday, if your around I will pop over and kick your tyres

Cheers

dave hardy · #17 27th February 2009, 19:34

hi Martin
Congrats Nice to see the Photos of the move and yes Simon is good at what he does
Dave

WL405 · #18 10th April 2009, 11:45

Spent last night putting the finishing touch's to the framework that holds the nosewheel leg in place on the Meteor. Not the most exciting progress I know but.......

Ive just managed to acquire a compressor and spray gun but wanting to crack on rather than using up time to learn a new skill Ive just used Halfords Car Paint as the top coat folowed by some lacquer. Colour is a mixed to special order BS381c/283 "Aircraft grey green. Looks nice dont it.

Ive only posted pics of the port side of the framework as the starboard side looks identical. A before and after as they say.

XH668 · #19 10th April 2009, 11:47

Looking good martin its nice to see the little bits like the u.c leg comming together you get a real sense of how the airfield goes together especily for a novice like me!

Cant wait to see her in the flesh

WL405 · #20 10th April 2009, 11:49

Whilst Im posting has anybody got the starboard handed version of this part for sale or swap?

Ive knocking on a dozen of the item shown in the picture but no starboard ones.

I am also looking for a nose wheel retraction jack and radius rod (ie the bits that folds as the leg retracts) sorry no part numbers as Im still o/s the parts manual promised me.

Anon · #21 10th April 2009, 13:52

Hi Martin,

I may have a spare nose downlock and retraction jack, I'll have a look next weekend when I'm in the store again.

Anon.

WL405 · #22 10th April 2009, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anon

Hi Martin,

I may have a spare nose downlock and retraction jack, I'll have a look next weekend when I'm in the store again.

Anon.

Hello there,

was just about to PM you about this and "other Meteor" stuff when saw you reading the thread. PM still inbound in a few minutes.

Bruce · #23 10th April 2009, 19:34

I may have a nose jack and a nose oleo.

I'll have a look.

Bruce

keithnewsome · #24 10th April 2009, 22:52

Martin. Would this happen to be a T7 canopy ????

Keith.

ALBERT ROSS · #25 11th April 2009, 00:24

I thought you all might like to see the one and only time I've ever photographed WL405. I took this from an RAE Wessex over Farnborough on 10th September 1970 during a press sortie during the SBAC show. Of course we took off from the RAE side where photography was prohibited, but once airborne anything was fair game and this was parked near our lift-off point!

Flytst · #26 11th April 2009, 01:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithnewsome

Martin. Would this happen to be a T7 canopy ????

Keith.

No Its a Night Fighter NF11,12,13 Canopy but should fit if my memory serves me correct.

Mark Jones
A Meteor Flight Founder member.

WL405 · #27 11th April 2009, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

I may have a nose jack and a nose oleo.

I'll have a look.

Bruce

Much appreciated Bruce

WL405 · #28 11th April 2009, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALBERT ROSS

I thought you all might like to see the one and only time I've ever photographed WL405. I took this from an RAE Wessex over Farnborough on 10th September 1970 during a press sortie during the SBAC show. Of course we took off from the RAE side where photography was prohibited, but once airborne anything was fair game and this was parked near our lift-off point!

A stunning picture of her there Adrian. Any chance I could get a hi-res copy from you for my records?

Interesting to note the nose cone. Maybe one from a diff aircraft?

Regards Martin

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