216 Sqn Meteors
 

While researching aircraft types operated by 216 Sqn I was surprised to read in the Operational Record Book for 57/58 that 3 Meteors were on the Squadrons strength to help keep second pilots current on jet instruments.

I wonder if any Forum members have knowledge of these aircraft?

Thanks
Dave

A query to Dave Maloney at [email protected] or 18 Bolts Croft, Chippenham SN15 3GQ may possibly elicit information.

Second pilots must have been just flap and undercarriage pumpers.

Yes they were, I suffered the ignnominy of being a second pilot at Lyneham on 99 Sqn from 1957/9. We had 2 Chipmunks and an Anson, in which Hasting 2nd pilots were meant to do a minimum of 100 hours per year, but very few bothered. I was lucky as I got the job of OIC of the toy fleet and built up a lot of hours on them.

Bearing Gifts - I also flew in the three Meteors 7's on 216 a few times and my log book shows them as WL482, VZ644 and WL462. They weren't used very often either!

One of my bosses at Eastern radar,a former nav' on Meteor night fighters told me that occasionally he and his pilot were rostered to fly a T7,and that,they being of similar stature,when walking out,would lower their helmet visors,and then he would climb in the front and fly the sortie,with the pilot in the boot.Anyone else heard of such tales ?

Wouldn't a T7 normally fly with the instructor in the back and the student in the front ?

Yes,but my boss was a nav,not a student pilot.He didn't say if his pilot was a qualified instructor.

Bearing Gifts - I also flew in the three Meteors 7's on 216 a few times and my log book shows them as WL482, VZ644 and WL462. They weren't used very often either![/QUOTE]

Brakedwell
Many thanks for the info on tail numbers the Op records book not clear on VZ so that's cleared up also the same single page in 1957 shows the tail numbers as VW472, WH215 so that's a bit more confusing.

Appreciate its a long time ago but did these meteors every carry 216 insignia?
I am part of the team working on the proposed 216 Squadron memorial; and have been compiling a list of all those who server on the squadron to be place in a time capsule. If you would like to be on the list can you send me a private message and I can advise what details I need. I have been at it a few years now but only up to 1942 in the Operational Records.

Regards

I remember all three 216 Meteors quite well and they had no Squadron Markings just silver and yellow dope and black registration numbers.
I will have a look at the log book again.

I have had another look and found I had 2 flights in WL462 on Jan 27th 1959, so the three I have down are VZ644, WH215 and WL462. Some of the Meteors may have been changed over the two year period, as we had three different 99 Sqn Ansons to play with during that time.

OK thanks for the info- much appreciated.