{"product_id":"matchbox-pk-129-armstrong-whitworth-meteor-nf-14-nf-12-nf-11-night-fighter-1-72-scale-plastic-model-kit","title":"Matchbox PK-129 Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF.14\/NF.12\/NF.11 Night Fighter — 1\/72 Scale Plastic model kit damaged oleo","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer: Matchbox \/ Lesney\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Kit reference: PK-129\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Subject: Armstrong Whitworth\/Gloster Meteor NF.11, NF.12 and NF.14\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Scale: 1\/72\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Original Matchbox issue: 1986\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Parts: 74\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Plastic: Three colours\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Kit type: Injection-moulded plastic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Status: Out of production\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Later reissue: Revell 40124\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Typical markings: RAF and Belgian aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe specialist Matchbox catalogue records the original PK-129 as a 1986 release with 74 parts in three colours. A modelling reference also records the later Revell 40124 reissue of the same basic tooling.\n\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer and kit history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMatchbox's plastic model operation was originally part of Lesney Products, the British company famous for its Matchbox toy vehicles. During the 1970s and 1980s Matchbox developed a substantial range of 1\/72 aircraft, often concentrating on subjects that were not necessarily covered by its competitors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePK-129 was a relatively late Matchbox aircraft tooling. The Matchbox catalogue records it as a 1986 introduction, in the orange-series packaging, with 74 parts moulded in three colours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe tooling subsequently passed into the wider Revell\/Matchbox family and was reissued as Revell 40124. The kit is now discontinued, making an original PK-129 increasingly a vintage-kit item rather than a normally available modern kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is unusual because it is not simply one Meteor variant. The moulds contain the components needed to build three separate night-fighter versions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    NF.11\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    NF.12\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    NF.14\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA modern build article confirms that the modeller can choose between all three versions.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe original kit contains approximately 74 parts, moulded in three colours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe principal contents include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    two-seat Meteor fuselage;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    extended radar nose;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    two Rolls-Royce Derwent engine nacelles;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    wings;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    tailplane and fin;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    cockpit components for pilot and radar operator;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    undercarriage;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    wheels;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    engine intakes\/exhausts;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    radar nose components;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    optional parts for the different NF versions;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    clear canopy parts;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    decals;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    assembly instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit can represent NF.11, NF.12 or NF.14. A surviving kit listing specifically identifies the contents as including parts for all three versions and markings for RAF 84 Squadron NF.12, RAF 85 Squadron NF.14 and Belgian 11 Squadron NF.11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is typical of later Matchbox tooling: the panel\/detail treatment is more restrained than the very deep engraved lines found on some earlier Matchbox kits. Modeller feedback describes the cockpit as rather basic and identifies the wheels and some of the nose geometry as areas where modern aftermarket parts can improve the finished model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model has a wingspan of approximately 182 mm, with the exact length varying slightly according to which Meteor night-fighter version is represented.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe real aircraft — Gloster Meteor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gloster Meteor was Britain's first operational jet fighter and one of the most important British aircraft of the early jet age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first Meteor prototype flew in 1943, and the aircraft entered RAF service with No. 616 Squadron on 27 July 1944. Its initial wartime role was principally interception of German V-1 flying bombs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe early Meteor was a relatively straightforward straight-wing jet, but successive versions improved:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    engine performance;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    fuel capacity;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    armament;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    aerodynamics;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    pressurisation;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    cockpit arrangements;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    reconnaissance equipment;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    night-fighting equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe type ultimately developed into a large family of fighters, trainers, reconnaissance aircraft and target tugs.\n\u003cbr\u003eWhy Armstrong Whitworth became involved\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe night-fighter version came about because Britain's wartime de Havilland Mosquito night fighters were becoming obsolete.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe RAF needed an interim jet night fighter while the much more ambitious Gloster Javelin was being developed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGloster was already heavily occupied with Meteor production and development, so responsibility for developing the Meteor night fighter was transferred to Armstrong Whitworth, another company within the Hawker Siddeley group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat is why the kit is often labelled Armstrong Whitworth Meteor, even though the basic aircraft family is the Gloster Meteor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting aircraft combined elements of several Meteor versions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    the basic fuselage arrangement of the T.7 two-seat trainer;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    the tail of the F.8;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    longer wings derived from the earlier Meteor configuration;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    a new extended nose;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    a two-person cockpit;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    airborne-interception radar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe result was a very distinctive aircraft with the enormous rounded radar nose seen on the Matchbox model.\n\u003cbr\u003eMeteor NF.11\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.11 was the first major production night-fighter version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts most obvious external feature was the large nose containing the AI Mk.10 airborne-interception radar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the radar occupied the nose, the Meteor's four 20 mm cannon were moved from their normal nose position to the wings, outboard of the engine nacelles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft retained the Meteor's straight-wing configuration and was powered by two Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 turbojets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first true NF.11 prototype flew on 31 May 1950, and production aircraft subsequently entered RAF service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe surviving airworthy WM167, now registered G-LOSM, was built by Armstrong Whitworth at Baginton in 1952 and is described by Classic Air Force as the only surviving airworthy night-fighter Meteor.\n\u003cbr\u003eMeteor NF.12\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.12 introduced an improved radar installation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose was lengthened by approximately 17 inches \/ 43 cm, and the aircraft received a larger fin to compensate for the aerodynamic effects of the new nose and radar equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt also used the more powerful Rolls-Royce Derwent 9 engines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.12 first flew on 21 April 1953.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt entered RAF squadron service in early 1954 and equipped several RAF squadrons before being progressively replaced during the late 1950s.\n\u003cbr\u003eMeteor NF.14\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.14 was the final production night-fighter version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was based on the NF.12 but incorporated a further extended nose and, most noticeably, a large blown canopy replacing the heavily framed earlier canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat gives the NF.14 a substantially cleaner cockpit appearance and is one of the visual differences that the Matchbox kit allows the modeller to reproduce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.14 first flew on 23 October 1953.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnly approximately 100 NF.14s were produced. They entered RAF service from February 1954 and began being replaced by the much newer Gloster Javelin from the middle of the 1950s. Some continued in overseas service considerably longer.\n\u003cbr\u003eArmament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe night-fighter Meteors retained four 20 mm Hispano cannon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the single-seat fighter Meteors, however, the cannon were moved into the wings because the large radar installation occupied the nose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe two-person crew consisted of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    pilot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    radar operator\/navigator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis arrangement allowed the pilot to concentrate on flying and weapons while the second crew member operated the airborne-interception radar.\n\u003cbr\u003eRadar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe radar was central to the entire NF conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.11 used the AI Mk.10, based on the American SCR-720 radar system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe radar allowed the aircraft to detect and intercept enemy aircraft at night and in poor visibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLater NF versions received progressively improved radar systems, which explains much of the external difference between the variants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 600 Squadron Association's historical study illustrates an NF.11 with the radar installation and the characteristic cannon mounted outboard of the engine nacelles.\n\u003cbr\u003ePerformance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRepresentative NF.11 specifications include approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engines: 2 × Rolls-Royce Derwent 8\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Thrust: approximately 3,500–3,700 lbf each\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: approximately 13.1 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: approximately 14.78 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 560 mph \/ 901 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Service ceiling: approximately 43,000 ft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: 4 × 20 mm Hispano cannon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.12 and NF.14 were progressively longer and more powerful, with the NF.14 reaching approximately 15.65 m in length.\n\u003cbr\u003eOperational history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Meteor night fighters served with the RAF throughout the 1950s as an interim defence against the possibility of Soviet bomber attack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey were eventually replaced by more capable swept-wing aircraft, particularly the Gloster Javelin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRAF records identify the NF.11–NF.14 family as an Armstrong Whitworth night-fighter series serving from the early 1950s into the 1960s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was also used outside Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNight-fighter Meteors served with air forces including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Belgium\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Denmark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Australia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.11 was particularly important internationally, with Belgium operating 24 and Denmark 20 aircraft, while France operated a larger fleet of night-fighter Meteors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome aircraft were subsequently converted into TT.20 target tugs, allowing them to continue flying after their front-line night-fighter careers had ended.\n\u003cbr\u003eProduction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe entire Meteor family was produced in substantial numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne museum source gives a total of approximately 3,545 Meteors produced between 1942 and 1955, including approximately 575 night fighters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe NF.14 was the smallest of the three principal night-fighter production variants, with approximately 100 aircraft built.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArmstrong Whitworth manufactured the night-fighter Meteors at its Baginton facilities near Coventry.\n\u003cbr\u003eSurviving aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA number of Meteors survive in museums around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe particularly significant example for the PK-129 subject is WM167 \/ G-LOSM, an Armstrong Whitworth-built NF.11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt entered RAF service in 1952, later became a target tug, was withdrawn and subsequently restored to NF.11 configuration. It is described as the only surviving airworthy Meteor night fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe survival of this aircraft is especially useful for modellers because it provides a real full-size reference for the unusual radar nose, two-seat cockpit and night-fighter configuration represented by PK-129.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matchbox","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57512972648828,"sku":"Matchbox-PK-129","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/8584\/0033\/files\/DB523806-6AE4-401B-98EE-B7D2D3BFF6B7.jpg?v=1790661863","url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/matchbox-pk-129-armstrong-whitworth-meteor-nf-14-nf-12-nf-11-night-fighter-1-72-scale-plastic-model-kit","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}