Gloster Meteor F8 arrival announced

[ASHLEE]

The Ashburton Avaition Museum announced in the Mid Canterbury Herald June 30 that they have struck a deal to purchase a Gloster Meteor F8 jet aircraft to be located at there Seafield Facility sometime during August. This aircraft is as close as possible to the Gloster Meteor F3 the very first ever jet purchased by the RNZAF in 1945 labled NZ6001. This NZ6001 had more than 50 pilots learn the new technology in it before it was broken up for scrap.
This will be a great addition to the musem and enhance their collection.

Ashlee.

[Ian Warren]

It s a great little Museum in Ashburton , with the oppitunity to climb into a 'Canberra' bomber nose section to even checking out a 'Harrier' .

[h290master]

does anyone know how airworthy the bird is going to be?

[FlyingKiwi]

I assume it will be for static display only but I've heard their Harrier still has a fully functioning engine so maybe we could hope that it might be taxiable? In any case, it will be a great addition for the museum, they're building quite an impressive collection.

[ASHLEE]

The press released mentions that it is a restored Meteor F8 and the deal was struck with Classic Jets Fighter Museum Adelaide and that their crew did some exceptional restoration work. It is currently being dismantled for transportation to Ashburton. The picture looks pretty good in the news article. i will keep the forum up to date when it arrives as i live not far from the airfield. Interesting that the engines of the NZ 6001 F3 still exist in separate NZ locations with other small parts.