BASIC BUILD
An exclusive benefit of Airfix Club membership for 2023 is a new version of the firm’s stunning 1/72 Gloster Meteor, exclusively depicting the FR.9 variant. Here, Ethan Williams builds the kit as an RAF airframe.
Developed as a photo-reconnaissance version of the successful F.8 (itself developed from the F.4), the Gloster Meteor FR.9 first flew on March 23, 1950 and 126 were built. The new sub-type featured a modified nose to house a single F.24 or F.95 camera above the nose undercarriage, while retaining the F.8’s four Hispano cannons. It replaced the Supermarine Spitfire FR.XVIII in the reconnaissance role as the RAF moved towards an all-jet fleet following World War Two. Most were sold to Israel, Ecuador and Syria after completing their service with Britain’s air arm.
In 2022, Airfix released a brand-new 1/72 tooling of the Meteor F.8 to a great reception. Revealed at Scale ModelWorld in Telford, 2023’s Airfix Club kit was a free, exclusive boxing depicting the Meteor FR.9, supplied with a runner containing new nose parts, underwing RP-3 rockets and a closed nose undercarriage piece alongside the standard F.8 frames. Decals allow for one of two aircraft to be depicted: VZ603 from 8 Squadron, RAF, and FAE-40114 f…
