Boscombe Down Aviation Museum 12/8/19

[graham]

I travelled down to Old Sarum for a night out at the Dark Revolution Brewery which sits on the business park right by the side of the museum. There was a Meteor parked outside by the Hunter and Jet Provost on this date which I'd not seen there before, and it seemed to be in quite good condition. I entered the reg into Planebase mobile and it confirmed that I needed the frame but for some reason I never made a note of the reg (too pissed I think...) and it seems that it's no longer there. At that point in time there were three Meteors at the museum, WD686, WD790 and WK800 but it wasn't one of those. My head tells me it was WL*** but I can't be sure.

Would anyone have an idea as to its reg please? I've looked on various websites, Demobbed, photos on Flickr and the like but drawn a blank

[davebasing]

Hi Graham - For what it's worth my money would have been on WD686 however .... WD790 was always just a nose section while WK800 is a U16 drone and was thus always resplendent in red and yellow drone colours as it is now which you would probably have remembered even if somewhat squiffy. One time Bedford dump and Duxford machine WD686 was however indeed at Old Sarum (and kept outside beside the complete Hunter). The cockpit section was loaned to RAF Defford for a year or so (it having being the last aircraft to fly out of Defford before it closed as an active base) returning to the rest of its body at Old Sarum in November 2018. Unlike Humpy Dumpty it was put back together again and sent back to Defford in October 2019 where it is now displayed. It might logically have been outside before leaving as there would probably have been no room in the museum itself. Only thing is that it is a long nose night fighter version and as such was in camo scheme which again you might have remembered? Could be that Sarum had sanded it down prior to re-painting but if so it would have been unlikely to be carrying a serial or any paint at all. Have had a quick look at the surviving WL serial meatboxes (not many left) and cant immediately find any that might have been at Sarum. They are a friendly bunch at Sarum and would no doubt remember if a different Meteor had passed through, so perhaps someone visiting could ask on your behalf.

[graham]

Thanks Dave for your help here, I saw it as soon as I got off the coach before any alcohol had been consumed, walked over to have a look, checked the reg on PB mobile to see that I needed it (I actually sent an WhatsApp message and photo to Jeff and Bill) but for some daft reason, never made a note of the reg. I've changed phones since then and no longer have the shot.

I will take you up on your good advice and email the lads down there to see if they can shed any light on it.

Thanks again Dave

[chrisj]

Graham Sorry if I missed it , but what was the date of your Meteor sighting please ? I may be able to help as I have a contact at the museum . Chrisj

[graham]

Hi Chris, apologies for I've only just seen your post here, date was 12/8/2019