Meteor NF11 over Algeria 1059-61

[alex crawford]

Hi Stig and Alex,

Thank you for your replies. It's nice to be back.

Stig,
Any details on the Meteors that were detached to Algeria is of interest. I am also of the opinion that they did not carry out any successful interceptions. They were considered to be too fast for stooging around the mountains at night, plus their high fuel consumption gave then a small endurance range.

Alex,
Many thanks for the serials. I have read that six were used but only found details for four, although 1-2 NF12s and NF14s may have been used as well.

I have seen a photo of NF11-41 in formation with a A-26 and MD.315 plus another one of NF11-19 on a runway in Algeria. So there may hve been more than 6 NF11s used.

Regards,
Alex

[Stig Jarlevik]

Indeed Alex

The Meteor cannot be classified as the ideal night fighter, especially not at low altitude.
The following NF.11 are recorded as having been in service with ECN 1/71
NF11-16 346 QA
NF11-19 346-QC
NF11-29 346-QE
NF11-31 346-QF
NF11-34 346-QH
NF11-35 346-QI
NF11-37 346-QJ
NF11-38 346-QK
NF11-41 346-QN (the one on the photograph alright)

As always there is the odd photo, which is somewhat a spanner in the wheel, showing NF11-38 actually coded with a single 'Z' on the tail, saying it was in use with ECN 1/71 at Biskra, Algeria Nov 1960. Not a single Meteor is known to have reached as high as Z in their codes, so it is a mystery

My data are from Jean-Pierre Verret (except the photo which is later)

I have no idea from where Jean-Jacques Petit has got his info from, but according to other French researchers he is not very reliable, which I cannot verify or deny I'm afraid.

Cheers
Stig

[Phil L.]

Just for the record, JJ Petit has written an article on the career of the NF.11 with the Franch in Air Fan magazine of November 1989.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Also for the record then, the book which Alex S and I have by Petit is from 2003

I have no access to what he said in 1989

Cheers
Stig