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The Gloster Meteor U Mk.21 was an unmanned drone, similar to the U Mk.16 and like that aircraft based on the F Mk.8 fighter. The only significant difference between the U.21 and U.16 was the electronic telemetry equipment, with specific equipment installed in the U.21 for use at the Weapon’s Research Establishment at Woomera.
Flight Refuelling Limited converted one F.8 and seven U.16s to the U.21 standard, with work beginning in 1962. Fairey Aviation in Australia converted fifteen ex-RAAF F Mk.8s to the U.21 standard, using kit parts provided by Flight Refuelling Limited. One of these aircraft was later shipped back to the United Kingdom (July 1971), and converted back to the U.16 standard, only retiring on 11 October 2004, in the same month as the closure of RAF Llanbedr.
Gloster Meteor, Britain's Celebrated First-Generation Jet, Phil Butler and Tony Buttler. This is a detailed, well illustrated and well written look at the development and service history of the Gloster Meteor, both in British and overseas hands. The book covers the development of the E.28/39, Britain's first jet aircraft and the development of the Meteor, looks in detail at the prototype aircraft, the various versions of the Meteor and its British and overseas service careers. [see more]
