Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11This is a featured page



In July 1949 Belgium committed itself towards its allies to create, before the end of 1951,
three night-fighter squadrons with 8 aircraft each.
On May 25th, 1948 a flight equipped with De Havilland Mosquito NF30 was formed at
Beauvechain, which became 10 Night-Fighter Squadron (squadron code ND).
On July 1st, 1951 a second squadron was formed, 11 Night-Fighter Squadron (squadron code
KT). The remaining Mosquito NF30s were split over the two squadrons until the arrival of a
first batch of 12 Armstrong-Whitworth Meteor NF11 night-fighters (EN1-EN12).
In the summer of 1952 the first Meteors were delivered at Beauvechain. Initially the
aircraft were used by No 10 Squadron and wore the ND-code. However shortly afterwards all
the Meteors were allocated to No 11 Squadron and the surviving Mosquitos were regrouped
with No 10 Squadron.
In 1953 the Mosquitos were grounded and the 10 Squadron-pilots flew with the 11 Squadron
aircraft.
In 1956 the Meteor NF11-fleet was boosted with the purchase of 12 secondhand Royal Air
Force-aircraft (EN13-EN24), in order to bring both squadrons back to an operational level.
This second batch of aircraft was not completely identical to the first batch, which
caused several technical problems and also caused a few accidents.
In the meanwhile the search was on for a successor for the Meteor, which was considered an
interim solution, and the aircraft chosen was the Avro CF100 Canuck Mk.5.
This decision also was the end for the dedicated night-fighter squadrons in the Belgian
Air Force, as the new aircraft was "all-weather" capable.
In 1958 10 Squadron was deactivated and 11 Squadron, together with 349 and 350 Squadron,
was equipped with the Canuck.
Ten aircraft were sold to COGEA to be transformed for a target-towing role on behalf of
the Belgian Ministry of Defence, but these plans were never put in place and after many
years in storage at the airfield of Oostende-Raversijde they were scrapped.

EN1 RAF-Serial: WD726
Squadron code(s): KT-L, ND-L
  • 010452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 030452-250752: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 250752: taken on charge
  • 250752: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-L)
  • 000000: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-L)
  • 260855: cat.5 - Aircraft lost contact with its leader during a low-level navigation flight and crashed near Acht, Eindhoven (Netherlands). Crew: 1Sgt.vl. Georges Thirion, Olt. nav.Georges Thiry (11 Sqn, KT-L)
  • 000855: struck of charge (tt 401:15 hrs)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Charlier Collection

EN2 RAF-Serial: WD775
Squadron code(s): KT-E
  • 090652: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 090652-300752: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 300752: taken on charge
  • 300752: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-E)
  • 000858: struck of charge (tt 290:20 hrs)
  • 101058: registered OO-ARR (CofA 1217) COGEA Nouvella SA, Oostende
  • 000000: stored Oostende
  • 020361: cancelled as OO-ARR
  • 000000: scrapped

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende (as OO-ARR) - Photo Daniel Brackx

EN3 RAF-Serial: WD777
Squadron code(s): KT-G, ND-G
  • 090652: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 090652-300752: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 300752: taken on charge
  • 300752: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-G)
  • 000000: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-G)
  • 011253: cat.5 - Emergency landing at Roux-Miroir after fuel problems during a night mission. Crew: Cdt. Cuisinier & 1Sgt. Lemaire
  • 001253: struck of charge (tt 207:30 hrs)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Collection Laurent Heyligen

EN4 RAF-Serial: WD728
Squadron code(s): KT-N
  • 090452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 090452-220852: stored RAF
  • 220852: taken on charge
  • 220852: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-N)
  • 120754: cat.5 - Emergency landing at Sylt (Germany) in bad weather. Crew: 1Sgt. Thirion & 1Lt. Thiry
  • 000754: struck of charge (tt 311:00 hrs)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Sylt (Germany) 120754 - Photo Belgian Air Force

EN5 RAF-Serial: WD729
Squadron code(s): KT-S
  • 070452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 070452-220852: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 220852: taken on charge
  • 220852: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-S)
  • 000858: struck of charge (tt 291,15 hrs)
  • 101058: registered OO-ARW (CofA 1218) COGEA Nouvelle SA, Oostende als OO-ARW
  • 000000: stored Oostende
  • 020361: cancelled as OO-ARW
  • 000000: scrapped

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Collection Laurent Heyligen

EN6 RAF-Serial: WD730
Squadron code(s): KT-W
  • 070452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 070452-220852: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 220852: taken on charge
  • 220852: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-W)
  • 000558: struck of charge (tt 378,05 hrs)
  • 040758: registered OO-ARS (CofA 1191) COGEA Nouvelle SA, Oostende
  • 000000: stored Oostende
  • 020361: cancelled as OO-ARS
  • 000000: scrapped

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende (as OO-ARS) - Collection Laurent Heyligen

EN7 RAF-Serial: WD727
Squadron code(s): KT-X, ND-X
  • 280352: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 310352-260852: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 260852: taken on charge
  • 260852: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-X)
  • 000000: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-X)
  • 270453: cat.5 - Crashlanding just before the threshold of Wevelgem after fuel problems. Crew: 1Sgt. W.Van de Perre & 1Sgt.Lemaire
  • 000453: struck of charge (tt 41:50 hrs)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Daniel Brackx Collection

EN8 RAF-Serial: WD731
Squadron code(s): KT-Y
  • 040452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 040452-260852: stored RAF 38MU
  • 260852: taken on charge
  • 260852: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-Y)
  • 120456: cat.5 - After malfunction of the fuelpump during takeoff from Beauvechain the pilot had problems with both engines. During this phase he also entered the slipstream of the aircraft in front of him and the aircraft crashed on the edge of the runway. Fortunately the crew was unhurt. Crew: 1Sgt.R.Podevijn & 1Lt.R.Vandekelder
  • 000456: struck of charge (tt 627:10 hrs)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Daniel Brackx Collection

EN9 RAF-Serial: WD732
Squadron code(s): KT-Z
  • 040452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 040452-260852: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 260852: taken on charge
  • 260852: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-Z)
  • 251154: cat.5 - Crashed near La Houssière/Braine-Le-Comte during a simulated night attack on Chièvres after the aircraft lost the canopy. Both crewmembers were killed. The out-of-control aircraft crashed on a farm where the farmers' son was killed.
  • Crew: Lt.Kol.vl.Charles Roman (CO 1W) & Kapt.nav. Jean-Louis de Norman et d'Audenhove (10Sqn)
  • 001154: struck of charge (tt 363:20 hrs)

EN10 RAF-Serial: WD733
Squadron code(s): ND-U, KT-U
  • 070452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 070452-170952: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 170952: taken on charge
  • 170952: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-U)
  • 100255-110255: cat.? - emergency landing at Beauvechain on one engine after during a flight at 15000ft over France (near Reims) the right hand engine stopped. The pilot used the "Air Relighting System" three times, which functioned normally, the engine restarted, but stopped again moments later. Crew: OLt.vl.Denis Boussu & Kapt.nav.Nemry
  • 010757: cat.5 - Ran off the landing of Beauvechain, due to brake failure
  • 000757: struck of charge (tt 632:45 hrs)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Photo Belgian Air Force

EN11 RAF-Serial: WD735
Squadron code(s): KT-T
  • 070452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 070452-220952: stored RAF No 33MU
  • 220952: taken on charge
  • 220952: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-T)
  • 000858: struck of charge (tt 320:15 hrs)
  • 101058: registered OO-ARX (CofA 1219) COGEA Nouvelle SA, Oostende
  • 000000: stored Oostende
  • 020361: cancelled as OO-ARX
  • 000000: scrapped

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende (as OO-ARX) - Collection Laurent Heyligen

EN12 RAF-Serial: WD736
Squadron code(s): KT-R
  • 100752: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 100752-240253: stored
  • 240253: taken on charge
  • 240253: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain (KT-R)
  • 000858: struck of charge (tt 174:05 hrs)
  • 000000: scrapped

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Collection Laurent Heyligen

EN13 RAF-Serial: WD602
Squadron code(s): ND-A
  • 210651: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 280851: delivered RAF No 29 Squadron (code 'A')
  • 000000: crash, repaired by RAF No 49 MU
  • 230954-240555: overhaul Armstrong Whitworth
  • 020655-230256: stored RAF No 8MU
  • 230256: taken on charge, at Little Rissington (tt 827:45 hrs)
  • 000000: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-A)
  • 000558: struck of charge (tt 392,40 hrs in Belgian service)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Daniel Brackx Collection

EN14 RAF-Serial: WD724
Squadron code(s): ND-B
  • 210352: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 000000-221054: RAF No 264 Squadron (code 'F')
  • 221054-120155: overhaul Armstrong Whitworth
  • 010255-090256: stored RAF No 8MU
  • 090256: taken on charge (tt 795:30 hrs)
  • 090256: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-B)
  • 051256: cat.5 - During a radar testflight in preparation for a nightflight the pilot is caught by some bad weather and low clouds. The pilot continues to fly low and flies into the ground near Sart-lez-Spa. Crew: 1Sgt.vl. Jeroom Janssens & 1Sgt.nav. Jacques Pairoux)
  • 001256: struck of charge (tt 958:20 hrs (incl.795:30 hrs RAF))

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Daniel Brackx Collection

EN15 RAF-Serial: WD622
Squadron code(s): ND-C
  • 260951: deliverd RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 260951-171152: stored RAF No 29MU
  • 171152-251154: RAF No 96 Squadron (code 'L-W'), Ahlhorn (Germany)
  • 270754: cat.?
  • 071154: to Armstrong Whitworth for repairs between 251154-070455
  • 140455-190156: stored RAF No 8MU
  • 050356: taken on charge, picked up High Ercall.
  • 000000: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-C)
  • 130356: cat.5 - During the approach to Beauvechain the aircraft suffered a flame-out at low altitude and crashed onto a house at Mont-Saint-Guibert. Cause were frozen fuelfilters due to water contamination in the fuel. Both crew ejected safely. Crew: Sgt.vl. Rik Loots & Cdt.nav. Georges Bernier.
  • 000356: struck of charge (tt 453:45 hrs (incl.449:30 hrs RAF)

EN16 RAF-Serial: WD594
Squadron code(s): ND-D
  • 130451: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 270451-310851: to RAF Central Fighter Establishment, West Raynham, used by Radar Interception Development Squadron
  • 000000: cat.?
  • 010551-170551: under repairs
  • 261153-281054: stored RAF No 29MU
  • 281054-170155: RAF No 96 Squadron, Ahlhorn (Germany)
  • 030155-270755: overhaul Armstrong Whitworth
  • 270455-230256: stored RAF No 8MU
  • 230256: taken on charge
  • 230256: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-D)
  • 000858: struck of charge (tt 701:10 hrs (303:05 hrs RAF & 398:05 hrs BAF)
  • 101058: registered OO-ARQ (CofA 1220) COGEA Nouvelle SA, Oostende
  • 020361: cancelled as OO-ARQ
  • 000000: scrapped

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende (as OO-ARQ) - Collection Laurent Heyligen

EN17 RAF-Serial: WD760
Squadron code(s): ND-E
  • 130552: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 130552-021254: RAF No 228 OCU (code 'K'), RAF Leeming
  • 021254-200156: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 050356: taken on charge
  • 050356: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-E)
  • 121256: cat.5 - Emergency landing at Beauvechain after mid-air with EN24 (crew 1Lt.Lecrenier & Sgt.T.Bouche)
  • 301057: struck of charge (tt 982:20 hrs, (709:05 hrs RAF & 273:15 hrs BAF)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Photo Albert Brackx

EN18 RAF-Serial: WD661
Squadron code(s): ND-F
  • 111251: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 201251-280954: RAF No 264 Squadron (code 'M'), RAF Church Fenton
  • 220754: cat.?
  • 260754-200954: under repairs at RAF No 60 MU at RAF Church Fenton
  • 290954-310855: overhaul Armstrong Whitworth
  • 310855-060356: stored RAF No 29 MU
  • 060356: taken on charge
  • 060356: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-F)
  • 000558: struck of charge (tt 1201,35 hrs (792,05 hrs RAF & 409,30 hrs BAF)
  • 040758: registered OO-ARO (CofA 1189) COGEA Nouvelle SA, Oostende
  • 020361: cancelled as OO-ARO
  • 000000: scrapped

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende - Photo Daniel Brackx

EN19 RAF-Serial: WD590
Squadron code(s): ND-G
  • 150351: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 150351: RAF Handling Squadron, RAF Manby
  • 030851: stored RAF No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington
  • 061152-090353: at Armstrong Whitworth for modifications modifications
  • 151253: RAF No 151 Squadron, RAF Leuchars (code 'M')
  • 031154-230256: RAF No 29 MU, RAF High Ercall
  • 230256: taken on charge
  • 230256: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-G)
  • 000858: struck of charge (tt 595:00 hrs (242:40 hrs RAF & 352:20 hrs BAF)
  • 101058: registered OO-ARZ COGEA Nouvella SA, Oostende
  • 000059: participates in air race London-Paris
  • 041063: cancelled as OO-ARZ
  • 000000: stored Oostende until at least 1967
  • 000000: scrapped, nosecone is in use as a chicken-shack at Elewijt (current)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende - Daniel Brackx Collection

EN20 RAF-Serial: WD596
Squadron code(s): ND-H
  • 110951: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 000000-191151: retained by Armstrong Whitworth for tests at Coventry, used for test of a direct vision panel in the front of the windscreen
  • 191151-160652: A&AEE, Boscombe Down
  • 160652-011252: Radio Flight, RAE
  • 240254-060356: stored RAF No 29MU
  • 060356: taken on charge
  • 060356: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-H)
  • 000858: struck of charge (384,15 hrs)
  • 181058: request for civil registration by Mr.Jean Leemans, Vilvoorde
  • 251058: sold to Mr.Jean Leemand, registered OO-GEV
  • 000000: to COGEA Nouvelle, Oostende
  • 000060: scrapped by COGEA Nouvelle, Oostende
  • 300963: cancelled as OO-GEV

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende - Photo Daniel Brackx

EN21 RAF-Serial: WD741
Squadron code(s): ND-J
  • 230452: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 230452-021254: RAF No 228 OCU (code 'F'), RAF Leeming
  • 021254-220256: stored RAF No 38MU
  • 220256: taken on charge
  • 220256: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-J)
  • 000558: struck of charge (tt 1206:20 hrs (735:50 hrs RAF & 470:30 hrs BAF))
  • 040758: registered OO-ARP (CofA 1190) COGEA Nouvella SA, Oostende
  • 000000: stored Oostende
  • 020361: cancelled as OO-ARP
  • 000000: scrapped

EN22 RAF-Serial: WD763
Squadron code(s): ND-K
  • 220552: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/3433 C.B. 7(b))
  • 200156: taken on charge
  • 200156: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-K)
  • 000000: 1Wing-11Sqn, Beauvechain
  • 130356: cat.5 - Crashed at Rummen due to a flame-out at low altitude. Cause were frozen fuelfilters due to water contamination in the fuel. The crew bailed-out of the aircraft, but too low and were both killed. The irony is that the aircraft was relatively slight damaged. Crew: Kapt.vl. Julien Notte & Olt.nav. Hubert Dormans.
  • 000356: struck of charge (801:55 hrs (796,35 hrs RAF & 5:20 hrs BLu))

EN23 RAF-Serial: WM221
Squadron code(s): ND-L
  • 131052: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/6141 C.B. 7(b))
  • 211052: RAF No 33 MU
  • 101153: RAF No 527 Squadron, RAF Watton
  • 090555-190156: RAF No 38MU
  • 190156: taken on charge
  • 190156: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-L)
  • 001058: struck of charge (tt 412:35 hrs (226:55 hrs RAF & 185:40 hrs BAF))
  • 181058: request for civil registration by Mr.Jean Leemans, Vilvoorde
  • 251058: sold to Mr.Jean Leemand, registered OO-GEZ
  • 000000: to COGEA Nouvelle, Oostende
  • 000060: scrapped by COGEA Nouvelle, Oostende
  • 300963: cancelled as OO-GEZ

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Oostende - Photo Daniel Brackx

EN24 RAF-Serial: WM263
Squadron code(s): ND-M
  • 210153: delivered RAF (contract 6/ACFT/6141 C.B. 7(b))
  • 270153: RAF No 33MU
  • 190653-100655: RAF No 527 Squadron, RAF Watton
  • 100655-220256: RAF No 38MU
  • 220256: taken on charge
  • 220256: 1Wing-10Sqn, Beauvechain (ND-M)
  • 121256: cat.5 - Mid-air collision with EN17, the aircraft can make an emergency landing at Beauvechain. Crew: 1Sgt. R.Podevijn & 1Lt.R.Vandekelder.
  • 000057: struck of charge (tt 474:10 hrs (323:10 hrs RAF & 151:00 hrs BAF)

Gloster (Armstrong Withworth) Meteor NF.11 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database
Daniel Brackx Collection



1950-1969 - Belgian Military Aircraft Database


LaurentH
LaurentH 		Latest page update: made by LaurentH , Feb 2 2007, 5:24 AM EST (about this update About This Update LaurentH Edited by LaurentH

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