Meteor F8 WK654 – Opening the Lid!

CNAM’s Meteor F8 (WK654) is in the process of a major refurbishment which will see the entire airframe being repainted. As part of this process many parts of the airframe are being accessed and their condition assessed.

On 7th April a team of volunteers led by Jonnie Culling achieved an important milestone when they opened the aircraft’s canopy for the first time in many years. This revealed the internal components including all the flying instruments to be in remarkably good condition being affected only be surface corrosion which can be fairly easily addressed.

This aircraft was built by Gloster Aircraft at Moreton Valence and delivered to 20MU on 21 st March 1952 before joining 247 Sqn at RAF Odiham in May 1952. June 1956 saw its transfer to its sister unit at RAF Odiham, 46 Sqn. It later served with the All Weather Fighter Conversion Squadron and Central Fighter Establishment at RAF West Raynham before finally going to 85 Squadron at RAF Binbrook in August 1964.

On 22nd December 1969, WK654 took its final flight to RAF Kemble, from where it was allocated to RAF Neatishead to serve as a ´Gate Guard´. In 1992 it was replaced by a Phantom from RAF Wattisham thus leaving this airframe surplus to requirements and a move to a new home with
the CNAM.