Re: Meteor Accident Statistics
Pendrifter and other oldies
OK, I have done a bit more checking. Wadhurst crash was definitely 20/1/56.
Your list of squadrons had a few holes! Firstly, no numbered squadrons at Luffenham, it was 238 OCU and, as Beagle said also had all the Brigands, a couple of Valettas and a Balliol or two which moved up there from Colerne to join the NF12/14s. In 54 all crews went through 228 OCU at Leeming on AI Mk10 and NF11s. We arrived on 85 which was the first NF12/14 Sqn with AI 21 (APS57) and we had to do the AI conversion on the sqn. They had recently replaced their NF 11s with brand new aircraft. Most AI 21 Sqns had just a few 12s with the majority being 14s. 25 Sqn were also there having moved up from Vampire NF10s. Sometime around 1956 Their Lordships decided to have more NF Sqns, so 25 and 85 had to give up 5 crews and 4 aircraft each. A quick top up from the OCU and they were able to announce a new Sqn - 153 had been formed. Omitted to say that the overall crew numbers had only gone up by about 4. Some of the NF11 sqns re-equipped with Javelins when the Sandys axe fell, including 60 at Tengah.
It seems hard to believe that at one time we had as many Meteor NF Sqns in the Air Force than we have total Fighter, Bomber, Maritime and Transport Sqns now.
Flatus
Excellent idea, we already have a get together at Malling of the Meteor Wing every couple of years (with the odd Mozzie and Vamp 10 guy thrown in to give additional colour!!). As ever with these things who is going to org it?
It could be a hell of a blast though - all those squadrons!!
FJJP
Remember when the Sqn PAI would show you your CG film after an Air/Air ex.
The angle-off on the banner would be coming off frame by frame as you got closer until suddenly in the top corner of the pic appeared a tail-on shot of the Meteor tug creeping towards the middle of the film. This usually produced an immediate exit of the cine room by the pilot concerned, and a simultaneous roar of anger from the tug pilot who realised how close he had been. Happy days.