ADF-SERIALS
Australian &
New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History
Woomera Gloster Meteor F.4, F.8, NF.11, TT.20, U.15, U.16, U.21 and U.21A
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| Aircraft Serial |
Aircraft Type |
Aircraft History |
|---|---|---|
| A77-3 (WM262) |
NF.11 | 19.01.53
Delivered to RAF 24.06.53 Delivered to RAAF 25.08.53 Unassembled aircraft received ex UK as WM262 4.09.53 Assembly commenced at 1AD 18.09.53 Allocated serial A77-3 4.12.53 Allocated to ARDU Trials Flight (ATF) to be used for Blue Boar Missile trials 18.12.53 Received ATF (ATF became Air Trials Unit) 13.05.55 To be renumbered WM262 16.09.55 Crashed on take off Mallala. Aircraft destroyed by fire. Pilot Flt Lt Ross M Frayne killed. 6.12.55 DOS requests approval to scrap aircraft and installed engines 22.02.56 Aircraft scrapped including engines 7017 and 9432 |
| A77-157 (WE889) |
F.8 U.21A |
Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted to U.21A 6.02.67 Destroyed by missile at Woomera |
| A77-193 (WE969) |
F.8 U.21A |
15.02.63 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 3.04.64 Destroyed by missile at Woomera 14.05.54 Struck off charge. |
| A77-207 (WE905) |
F.8 U.21A |
Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted to U.21A 18.11.71 Destroyed by missile at Woomera. |
| A77-422 (WF750) |
F.8 U.21A |
Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted to U.21A 4.08.69 Crashed Woomera . |
| A77-510 (WH251) |
F.8 U.21A |
Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted to U.21A 12.11.68 Destroyed by missile at Woomera . |
| A77-701 (WA731) |
T.7 | Served with ATU and WRE at Woomera Fitted with PR.9 nose Currently on display at Woomera Missile Park. Wears the false serial RA348. That serial was allocated to a Hawker Hurricane that was never built. 04/2019 Repainted and correct serial applied |
| A77-705 (WA680) |
T.7 | Served with ATU and WRE at Woomera Static Display at Point Cook from 15/01/75. |
| A77-851 (WK683) |
F.8 U.21A |
Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted to U.21A 9.7.63 Damaged on landing during unmanned flight and deemed uneconomical to repair 2.12.63 Converted to scrap 8.1.64 Struck Off Charge The aircraft was scrapped however the cockpit and forward fuselage went to Warbirds Museum at Mildura, Vic. Acquired by South Australian Aviation Museum and it is currently on display. |
| A77-863 (WK730) |
F.8 U.21A |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 2.02.62 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh from Fairey Aviation 150.3.62 To 1 ATU . 12.06.65To 2 ATU 14.09.67 To WRE Woomera . 14.02.69 Crashed at Woomera . |
| A77-872 (WK792) |
F.8 U.21A |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 2.05.64 Destroyed by missile at Woomera |
| A77-873 (WK796) |
F.8 U.21A |
21.12.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 22.05.62 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh from Fairey Aviation 26.06.63 To ATU 11.04.67 To WRE from ATU 30.11.71 Destroyed by missile at Woomera |
| A77-876 (WK800) |
F.8 U.21A U.16 D.16 |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 5.11.62 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh from Fairey Aviation 8.10.63 To ATU 11.4.67 To WRE from ATU 1971 Returned to the UK as WK800 and redesignated U.16 Up to 2007 it continued to fly in a number of roles at the Defense Research Agency, RAF Llanbedr, Wales including as drone controller, calibration tests and to train Jindivik controllers. Was the last flying Meteor in the RAF 2008 Sold Boscombe Down, Wiltshire 2009 to Boscombe Down Museum, currently on static display. |
| A77-802 (WA998) |
F.8 U.21A |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 25.10.62 To Base Squadron Edinburgh from Fairey Aviation for use as required 8.10.63 Received 2ATU from Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for trials purposes 10.08.65 To 1ATU for D service and returned to 2ATU 1.11.65 11.04.67 To WRE ex 1ATU (Handover of Meteor and Jindivik aircraft from 1ATU to WRE at Woomera) 11.04.67 D service carried out by 2ATU 30.05 67 Received WRE Woomera ex 2ATU 12.10.67 Struck off charge. 16.09.69 destroyed by missile at Woomera. |
| A77-855 (WK728) |
F.8 U.21A |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 19.02.63 Crashed due to equipment malfunction during unmanned flight 14.03.63 Approved for write off 9.09.63 Issued to Edinburgh Fire Training 10.65 scrapped Edinburgh. |
| A77-882 (WK937) |
F.8 U.21A |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 13.10.65 Destroyed by missile at Woomera. |
| A77-884 (WK931) |
F.8 U.21A |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 15.11.61 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh from Fairey Aviation 26.07.62 To ATU Destroyed by missile at Woomera 12.11.65 Status card reads "crashed awaiting write off" 8.12.65 Approval for write of. |
| A77-885 (WK973) |
F.8 U.21A |
17.10.60 Sold by RAAF to WRE to be converted
to U.21A 3.05.62 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh from Fairey Aviation 22.10.62 To ATU 29.10.64 Written off and used for fire training at Edinburgh 10.65 Scrapped. |
| EE521 | F.4 U.15 |
24.01.56 Shipped from UK on SS Rhexenor 7.03.56 Received 1AD for assembly 25.02.57 Received ATU 8.09.58 Crashed and written off. |
| EE524 | F.4 U.15 |
16.5.55 Shipped from UK 18.07.55 Received 1AD for assembly 18.08.55 Allocated ATU ex 1AD 30.08.55 Received ATU 14.03.56 to DAP Parafield 13.05.56 Allocated to ATU ex Parafield 26.04.57 To Base Squadron, Edinburgh 16.12.57 DOS request to convert to components 25.03.58 Approval granted for conversion to components Derwent Mk.8 engines 5095 and 9434 were retained for use in target aircraft |
| RA367 | F.4 U.15 |
12.06.56 Shipped from UK on SS Port Ourtis 11.10.56 Held U/S at Fairey Aviation 8.07.57 To 1AD 26.03.58 To Base Squadron, Edinburgh 8.04.58 To Maintenance Squadron, Edinburgh for fitment of radio control equipment. 12.03.59 Held as unit equipment 1ATU 6.09.60 Converted to scrap |
| RA371 | F.4 U.15 |
27.07.56 Shipped from UK 19.10.56 Received Fairey Aviation 8.06.59 Received Base Squadron Edinburgh 8.04.58 Held Maintenance Squadron, Edinburgh conversion in progress 12.05.60 held 1ATU 20.03.61 Department of Supply supports recommendation for disposal 23.02.61 Crashed during trials 4.05.61 Airframe and engines written off |
| RA398 | F.4 U.15 |
19.07.56 Shipped from UK on "Moreton Bay" 17.05.57 Arrived Fairey Aviation 26.08.59 Received Base Squadron Edinburgh 12.05.60 held 1ATU 8.02.61 Crashed, awaiting approval for conversion of airframe and engines 23.02.61 Approval for conversion (to components and scrap) |
| RA417 | F.4 U.15 |
24.06.55 Shipped from UK on "Nordic" 16.08.55 Received 1AD 10.11.55 Allocated ATU 16.12.57 Ministry of Supply requests conversion to components 25.02.58 Approval granted for conversion to components 24.03.58 Derwent Mk.8 engine 5959 retained for use in target aircraft 1.05.58 Held at Edinburgh in open |
| RA421 | F.4 U.15 |
22.11.56 Received Fairey Aviation UK Shipped to Australia 17.05.57 Received at St Marys 8.06.59 Received Fairey Aviation for erection 21.12.59 To Base Squadron, Edinburgh 22.08.60 To 1ATU 12.03.62 Held 1ATU Evetts Field 15.06.62 To maintenance Squadron for modifications, 9.8.62 Returned to 1ATU on completion of mods. 12.04.63 Crashed, awaiting write off 20.05.63 Dept of Supply approves write off of airframe and installed engines |
| RA430 | F.4 U.15 |
11.12.55 Shipped from UK on "Grel Marion" 6.03.56 Received 1AD 15.06.56 Held u/s 1AD 18.07.56 Allocated maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for fitment of Target Equipment by Fairey Aviation 4.09.56 Received 1ATU 22.07.58 Crash landed and broke up on impact, recommended for write off 20.08.58 Approval to convert to scrap of airframe and installed engines |
| RA433 | F.4 U.15 |
26.?.56 Shipped to Australia 17.05.57 Received St Marys 9.09.58 To Fairey Aviation for erection 17.12.58 To Base Squadron Edinburgh 17.06.59 Crashed after missile strike, recommended for write off 2.07.59 Approval granted for write off of airframe and installed Derwent engines 3488 and 7145 |
| RA438 | F.4 U.15 |
20.12.55 Shipped from UK on SS Theseus 9.02.56 Received 1AD 18.07.56 Allocated Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for fitment of trials equipment 3.08.56 Received Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh 11.03.57 Held u/s ATU 12.07.57 Held u/s Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh 9.09.57 To ATU (TAF) 24.01.58 Allocated ATU ex ATU (TAF) 29.01.58 Recieved ATU ex ATU (TAF) No further information on status card Very rare to see RAAF roundel on U.15 drone In fact this is the first one that I have seen. Even the ex-RAAF Meteor U.21A wore the old style RAF roundel |
| RA441 | F.4 U.15 |
8.05.56 Shipped from UK on "Perim" 15.07.56 Held u/s at 1AD 270.5.57 To Base Squadron, Edinburgh 29.05.58 Received 1ATU 27.07.58 Port flap came into contact with ventral tank. Port flap to be replaced 12.12.58 Approval granted to convert to scrap airframe with installed Derwent engines 5284 (Port) and 15315 (Starboard) |
| RA454 | F.4 U.15 |
24.08.56 Shipped from UK on "Chandula" 23.10.56 Received Fairey Aviation Bankstown 17.05.57 To St Marys 7.09.59 To Fairey Aviation for erection 16.03.60 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for fitment of trials equipment 1.05.62 Destroyed after failure of auto pilot 22.05.62 Airframe and installed engines written off |
| RA458 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| RA473 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VT105 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT106 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT112 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VT113 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT118 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT130 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VT139 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT142 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT168 | F.4 U.15 |
6.05.48 Delivered to RAF as F.4 22.04.55 Shipped to Australia 3.05.55 Received at 1AD 21.07.55 Allocated ATU 18.08.55 Received ATU ex 1AD 17.05.56 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for D service 7.06.56 Returned to ATU 17.09.57 Requested approval for conversion to components 25.02.58 Approval granted for conversion to components 24.03.58 Engines 3960 and 7380 to be retained for use in target aircraft 13.06.58 Towed ex 2ATU for conversion to components 1.08.58 Held at Held at Edinburgh in open. |
| VT175 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT177 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon.
|
| VT179 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT184 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT187 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT191 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT192 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT197 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT219 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VT220 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT222 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT226 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT230 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT256 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT259 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT262 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT270 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT286 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT289 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT294 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT316 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT319 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VT329 | F.4 U.15 |
18.12.1956
Allocated for Operation TAGS and shipped to Australia
aboard "Perim" 22.01.1957 received Fairey Aviation Bankstown ex-UK 14.08.1959 to Base Squadron Edinburgh 13.10.1959 Held maintenance squadron Edinburgh, conversion in progress 6.12.1959 on static display Avalon Airshow 13.05.1960 Held No.1 Air Trials Unit 12.05.1961 Aircraft crashed during a trial Repairable items returned to store Scrap deposited on WRE dump 17.05 1961 authorised write off of Air Frame complete with engines |
| VT330 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VT334 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VW266 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VW273 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VW275 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VW303 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VW308 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VW781 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VW791 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VZ386 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VZ387 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VZ389 | F.4 U.15 |
8.09.49 delivered to UK
Department of Supply From 05.51 VZ389 was used by Flight Refuelling Ltd on air to air refuelling trials with Lincoln RA657 17.01.56 shipped from UK on SS Clan Shaw 27.02.56 received 1AD 26.07.56 allocated to Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh 30.08.56 received Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh ex 1AD 14.09.56 held 1ATU 12.02.58 hit by missile. Mainplane damaged but landed and repaired by 1ATU 31.06.58 (sic) explodedat altitude when struck by missile 10.09.58 DoS approve conversion of aircraft and installed engines to scrap |
| VZ401 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VZ403 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon
|
| VZ407 | F.4 U.15 |
Aircraft history to be added soon |
| VZ414 | F.4 U.15 |
24.08.56 Shipped from UK on "Chandula" 23.10.56 Received Fairey Aviation Bankstown 17.05.57 To St Marys 7.09.59 To Fairey Aviation for erection 2.02.60 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for fitment of trials equipment 6.09.60 Converted to scrap and written off (Our image suggests that it may of suffered undercarriage failure) |
| VZ455 | F.8 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling then
modified to U.21 20.06.62 Available for allotment after re-assembly 21.06.62 Received Base Squadron, Edinburgh from Fairy Aviation 18.04.63 Received 1ATU 18.06.63 Destroyed by missile strike 22.07.63 Approved for write off |
| VZ503 | F.8 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling then modified to U.21 |
| WD647 | NF.11 TT.20 |
1951 Originally built by Armstrong Whitworth
as NF.11 night fighter . 27.06.61. Converted to TT.20 target tug 22.12.71 Struck off charge and sold to the Ministry of Defence (Procurement) for use at Woomera. During its service at Woomera the aircraft was maintained and operated by Short Bros and Harland Air Services under contract to Australian Dept of Defence. (It was issued with an RAAF Aircraft Status Card). 15.07.75 Donated by the British Ministry of Defence to Queensland Air Museum . Flown from Woomera to Archerfield on delivery to QAM. Arrived in formation with two F-111s and a Canberra. Currently on display at Queensland Air Museum. |
| WD767 | NF.11 TT.20 |
Believed to have similar history to WD647
above. ex Woomera Ranges, 10.07.75 flew to Mildura for the Warbirds Aviation Museum of Australia, Currently owned by the Subritzky Aircraft Collection at Dairy Flat, Silverdale. New Zealand. |
| WE902 | F.8 U.21 |
First Meteor converted to U.21 standard by
Flight Refuelling at Tarrant Rushford.
|
| WE960 | F.8 U.16 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refueling 6.07.60 Received Fairey Aviation, Bankstown from Flight Refuelling UK for erection and modification to U.21 16.11.60 Received ARDU from Fairy Aviation for flight trials 3.02.61 To Base Squadron, Edinburgh 6.02.61 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for acceptance checks and modifications 20.11.61 To 1ATU for preliminary trials 12.12.61 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for "completion of aircraft for auto control flight" 9.02.62 To 1ATU for trials 22.01.63 To Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for D service and auto pilot check 4.02.63 Returned to 1ATU 12.12.63 Destroyed by missile strike 29.01.64 Aircraft and installed engines written off.  |
| WF659 | F.8 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling then modified to U.21.
|
| WH460 | F.8 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling then modified to U.21 |
| WK710 | F.8 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling then modified to U.21 |
| WK797 | F.8 U.16 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling Received Fairey Aviation, Bankstown from Flight Refuelling UK for erection and modification to U.21 12.07.60 Held Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh 21.4.60 To ATU for trials and returned to Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh 28.04.60 2.02.63 Aircraft crashed due to malfunction during unmanned flight. |
| WK879 | F.8 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling then modified to U.21 4.5.62 to Base Squadron Edinburgh ex Fairy Aviation Bankstown 29.11.62 to 1ATU Woomera 6.12.63 completely destroyed when struck by missile on unmanned flight |
| WL136 | F.8 U.21 |
Converted to U.16 by Flight Refuelling then modified to U.21 |
| WM262 | NF.11 | See A77-3 above. |
| WM372 | NF.11 | 18.03.53 Delivered to RAF 1.09.54 Aircraft at present being packed by RAF for shipment to ATF 29.11.54 dispatched to Australia 20.01.55 Received 1AD ex-UK (RAAF Aircraft Status Card issued) 26.02.55 Received ATU ex 1AD Allocated for Blue Jay (Fireflash) missile trials 9.12.55 Allotted Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for repairs to Wings and ????? 1.03.56 Held Unit Equipment ATU 17.01.58 to ATU Det A 25.05.58 to 2ATU for flying duties 12.05.59 held at M/S Edinburgh 24.03.60 "This A/C is surplus to Research and Development Requirements and Authority is hereby given for this A/C to be Struck Off. Equipment on loan is to be removed and residue sold as scrap. Installed engines depending on condition to be kept as service spares or sold with airframe" 24/04/61 "Engines and components transferred to other Meteor A/C or kept as spares for Meteor A/C. Special Mods removed. Conversion of remainder of A/C scrap" 3/07/61 "Maintenance Squadron advised that above actions had been taken and was now finalized" |
| WM373 | NF.11 | 21.03.53 Delivered to RAF 23.03.55 Allocated for Blue Jay (Fireflash) missile trials 5.03.55 Dispatched to Australia (RAAF Aircraft Status Card issued) 15.06.56 Received Air Trials Unit Woomera 13.11.57to ATU Det A 7.01.58 to Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh for double engine change 18.07.58 to M/S Edinburgh for transfer of transponder modification from Mk.4 Meteor VT168 13.10.59 held M/S Edinburgh 24.03.60 "This A/C is surplus to Research and Development Requirements and Authority is hereby given for this A/C to be Struck Off. Equipment on loan is to be removed and residue sold as scrap. Installed engines depending on condition to be kept as service spares or sold with airframe" 15.08.60 Remove engines and mods, recovery of components and convert to scrap" 
|
| WM374 | NF.11 | 18.03.55 Delivered to RAF 23.03.55 Allocated for Blue Jay (Fireflash) missile trials 14.03.56 Dispatched to Australia aboard HMAS Melbourne 4.05.56 Received 1AD ex UK for erection (RAAF Aircraft Status Card issued) 22.05.56 Allocated Maintenance Squadron Edinburgh ex-1AD 13.06.56 Received Air Trials Unit Woomera 21.05.58 No2 engine suffered a catastrophic turbine failure during a touch and go at Woomera. The resultant fire caused the rear fuselage to separate and the aircraft crashed five miles north east of the airfield, killing the pilot FSGT D. Walter. 22.08.58 Struck Off Charge |
No.1 ATU based at Woomera and No.2 ATU based at Edinburgh
The
ATUs were responsible for all the aircraft used in
support of the various projects undertaken at Woomera
Examples being
4 Joint Services Trials Unit (4 JSTU) Blue Steel trials
8 JSTU Red Duster and Red Shoes trials
12 JSTU Blue Jay trails
13 JSTU Red Top trails
15 JSTU Bloodhound trials
16 JSTU Thunderbird trials
21 JSTU Rapier trials
23 JSTU Blindfire trials
25 JSTU Seawolf trials
NOTE THAT NOT ALL THESE TRIALS INVOLVED METEOR AIRCRAFT
Short Bros and Harland Air Services
In September 1967 the trials aircraft
were all handed over to the WRE at Woomera and operated
by Short Bros and Harland Air Services,
(co-incidentally Short Bros and Harland of Belfast was
responsible for converting RAF Canberras into the U.10
unmanned drones used at Woomera)
The author of this page is Martin Edwards
Reference
sources: ADF-Serials RAAF
Meteor page by Owen Zupp, Aircraft
Status Cards from the National Australian Archives, Queensland Air Museum website.
FIRE ACROSS THE DESERT by Peter Morton
Emails: Mike Mirkovic, Rod Farquhar, Brendan
Cowan, Mark Frayne, David Bell.
Updated 5th
May 2019
It is
our policy to only show historical events, no current
operational information will be displayed on this
website.
"The ADF-Serials team give permission to use the
content of this page, excluding images, providing that
it contains an acknowledgement to the adf-serials team
and any other listed sources."
