- Yes - In the Tech Tree.
- Yes - Event/BP.
- Yes - Premium.
- No - I would not like to see the RNZAF’s Meteor F Mk.III in game.
Squadron Leader RM McKay standing next to NZ6001 at RNZAF Ardmore, 1946.
Description:
A single airframe, the Meteor F Mk.III EE395 was acquired by the RNZAF on loan from the RAF as an evaluation and familiarisation aircraft as part of the replacement of FG-1D Corsair as the main fighter-bomber of the RNZAF. Later this airframe would be purchased.
Although the Meteor would not enter into service with the RNZAF en masse, as the first jet aircraft to operate in New Zealand she did provide an essential pilot training and jet familiarisation program for pilots.
NZ6001 performs a low pass during an air show, 1946
History:
Shipped to New Zealand as a new airframe, EE395 would arrive at RNZAF station Hobsonville on the 23rd of January 1946, with a first flight on the 12th of February the same year still flying with its RAF serial, only switching to her RNZAF serial of NZ6001 in March. She would be attached to the Central Flying School on the 9th of May 1946, after performing at air shows around the country.
At the Central Flying School she would convert the first batch of RNZAF jet pilots to the type, and by July 1946 she would move to the Central Fighter Establishment at RNZAF Station Ohakea, where she was maintained by No.75 Squadron personnel. She would train 56 personnel in flight operations during her stay here. During these training operations and air shows, NZ6001 would be a standard Meteor F Mk.III, complete with armament, and would not be modified to any degree.
However by 1947 multiple nations had placed high speed restrictions on the type, and NZ6001 would be withdrawn from flying and placed into storage at Ohakea following similar restrictions in the RNZAF. Due to these restrictions, further aircraft would not be acquired as the DH Vampire was selected for fighter service, although personnel had already been trained on the Meteor.
NZ6001 in flight, probably during one of many RNZAF air shows showing her off, ~ 1946
On the 15th of March 1950 NZ6001 would be purchased by the RNZAF for 5,000 pounds, officially becoming the RNZAF’s first fighter, beating out the DH Vampires, which were delivered in 1951. Her final flight was on the 16th of September 1950, from Ohakea to Whenuapai.
By the 19th of September 1950, while at RNZAF station Hobsonville, she would be converted to an instructional airframe, being re-serialised as INST147. She would remain here until declared surplus in March of 1957, eventually being sold in May of that year for scrap.
However one of her Derwent engines remains to this day, it was rescued from a rubbish tip and currently resides at the MOTAT Museum in Auckland.
| Dimensions: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||
| Length: 41.4ft (12.6m) | |||||
| Wing Span: 43ft (13.1m) | |||||
| Height: 13ft (3.96m) | |||||
| Weight (dry): 4.32ton (4.39 tonne) | |||||
| Weight (Gross):5.50ton (5.59 tonne) | |||||
| Wing Area: 374 sqft (34.7sqm) | |||||
| Crew: 1 | |||||
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||
| Engine Performance: | |||||
| Engine: 2x Derwent I @ 2,000lb (8.9kN) ea | |||||
| Reheat: No | |||||
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||
| Aerial Performance: | |||||
| Climb Rate: 74 ft/s (22.5m/s) | |||||
| Wing Loading: 33lb/sqft (161kg/sqm) | |||||
| Maximum Speed @ 20,000ft (6,100m): 470mph (755 kph) | |||||
| Range (clean): 504 mi (811km) | |||||
| Ceiling: 40,000ft (12,190m) | |||||
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||
| Armament: | |||||
| Guns: 4x 20mm Hispano Mk.II (180rpg) | |||||
| Under-wing bomb stores: 2x 1000lb bomb, one under each wing. |
NZ6001, now INST 147, sitting in a hangar at RNZAF Hobsonville.
Extra Photos
Sources:
T.Buttler (2006) Gloster Meteor, Britain’s Celebrated First-Generation Jet (p.18)
https://airforcemuseum.co.nz/blog/meteoric-rise-new-zealands-first-jet-flight/
NZDF-Serials Meteor
Gloster Meteor - Wikipedia
Meteor NZ6001 - some questions | Wings Over New Zealand
https://collection.motat.nz/objects/65083/aircraft-engine-rolls-royce-derwent