The Gloster/A.W. Meteor, Airframe Album 15 (Valiant Wings Publishing)
Valiant Wings Publishing released the 15th book in their Airframe Album series, “The Gloster/A.W. Meteor: A Detailed Guide To Britain's First Jet Fighter”, by Richard A. Franks.
The content (194 pages) is organized into four main sections plus an introduction and appendices:
i. Introduction
1. Technical Description
2. Evolution - Prototype, Production and Projected Variants
3. Camouflage and Markings
4. Models
Appendices
I. Meteor Kit List
II. Meteor Accessories, Decals & Masks List
III. Squadrons
IV. Bibliography
This book is aimed mainly at the modeller. There's plenty here for aviation enthusiasts and Meteor fans too, but the emphasis is on providing the modeller with data and as much detail as possible.
The Introduction is an illustrated 26-page history of the Meteor, and makes for very interesting reading if you're not intimately familiar with the development of the type, from prototype to F, PR and NF variants, in RAF and foreign service.
The Technical Description section of the book is packed with period photographs, technical drawings, and photos of surviving examples. The airframe is covered comprehensively, with special emphasis on those areas of the most interest to modellers: cockpit, fuselage, wings, landing gear, engines, etc. There's also extensive coverage of the internal structure of the airframe, by way of photos and drawings. Cockpit and canopy are covered in 15 pages full of photos and drawings. Other interesting sections cover cannon & guns, flaps, air brakes, bombs and rockets, radar, cameras and ground equipment.
The section on the Evolution of the airframe gives a concise but very clear overview of the development of the Meteor, from its initial prototypes and test airframes, through to production versions, trainers, night fighters, and target tugs. This section allows you to see at a glance, not only the progress of the airframe's development, but the main features of each one. In fact we get a pictorial list of all Meteor airframes that were built, including all those converted, used for trials and other roles. More than 114 3D-isometrics show all the differences, along with as many suitable photos.
The Camouflage and Markings section covers the Meteor's use, not only by the RAF, but the FAA, and various Foreign Air Forces: An impressive variety of attractive colour schemes and a wide selection of period photographs are included, along with very realistic colour profiles by Richard Caruana. Also included is a handy stencil and markings placement guide.
The Modelling section features two excellent model builds: Libor Jekl's Dragon/Cyber-Hobby F Mk I kit in 1/72 scale and the 1/48th scale FR Mk 9 kit from Airfix by Steve Evans. Both builds include many WIP photos and the text is very explanative. The 1/48 scale model features open panels showing interesting internal engine detail.
The final section is the Appendices, including all the books, magazines, kits, accessories, decals and masks for producing a scale replica Meteor.
A final inclusion, Appendix III, is a very welcome six-page list of the RAF/FAA Squadrons and units that employed the Meteor in service.
All in All, an extremely detailed, comprehensive and truly modeller-oriented title. If you're building, or intend to build, a model of the Meteor in any scale, this book will be invaluable. Highly recommended!
You can order it here.
