Meteor F3 Conversion - Another Step Forward

[Cicchino]

Guys,

 

Languishing in the stash has been the HKM Meteor F.4. My original intention was to build an RAAF F.8 from the Korean War and I was lucky enough to obtain a Fisher Models conversion set. With the announcement and now availability of the Revell F.8, I have one on the way from Hannants which I’ll build as the Aussie bird. But what to do with the HKM kit?

 

One of my modeling goals for 2025 was to gain some level of proficiency with 3D design and printing. I have been able to stumble my way into a bunch of small parts like Curtis propeller parts for the P-47 and weapons pylons for an AD-4. I progressed to some more complex items like the XF5U landing gear and an ignition harness for the R-2800 engine. With a now near reckless confidence level, I decided to have a go at en even more complex 3D project: creating the conversion parts necessary to backdate the HKM F.4 to an F.3.

 

Starting with several sets of drawings, none of which matched the others, I settled on one that I would use for the basis of the parts, tweaking it as necessary as I went along. I’ve planned a relatively simple conversion concept where the kit wings would be cut along a panel line just inside the inner side of the nacelle. The design consists of 4 parts per wing: forward nacelle, rear nacelle, outer wing and engine exhaust.v Ignore the ragged trailing edges of the nacelles, I was a bit over zealous ripping away the supports.

 

  

 

The forward nacelle is designed with a spar to slide into the HKM inner wing and it will accept the kit’s engine accessories part, the rear nacelle also has a spar and will accommodate a separate exhaust tube for either the Welland or Derwent engines, a hollow outer wing fits onto a flange along the fairing at the outer edge of the nacelle parts.

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shown here is progress to date, which is essentially blank concept parts to check alignment, fit and look; fit is close and the concept seems to be sound. I’m not a Meteor expert, but I’m thinking it’s close. I would love to hear opinions whether criticisms or suggestions!

 

  

 

Everything is tacked together for now. Once I establish the final shape, I’ll work on panel lines and rivets, something I still have to teach myself to do in Fusion360.

 

  

 

I’ve already created masks for the 4 plane detachment of aircraft deployed to Holland in early 1945. This is a total side hustle, work progresses mostly on a whim but I hope to see an F.3 on my display shelf in 2026. As mentioned earlier I welcome any and all feedback you all might have

 

 

Thanks for dropping by

 

John

Edited April 6 by Cicchino
Title Update

[LSP_Kevin]

Brilliant! Might be interested in this myself...

 

Kev

[MikeC]

Interesting, and hope it works out well for you. Looks good so far. 

 

[Iain]

Brilliant use of an HK Meteor!  

 

Looks great so far.

 

Iain

[mattlow]

That's strange, I can't see any of these images... Tried through VPN as well... 

[Jim Barry]

This is great. I love to see bold model building! Way to go! 

[Lee White]

If these ever become commercially available, I’m in for a set. I’m one of the few who was disappointed in Revell’s decision to switch horses mid-stream.

[dennismcc]

I bought the HK Meteor with the intention of buying a Fisher conversion kit for an F3 as I only build WW2 subjects, the Fisher conversion never came to pass so this is really interesting for me.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

Edited December 18, 2025 by dennismcc

[Rob Colvin]

As said above....if it ever were made commercially available, I am in for 1.

 

Rob

[mozart]

I could be interested too….another Gloster! 

[Cicchino]

All, 

 

Thanks for the encouragement! I think the conversion will lend itself to easy production, but we're a long way away. My goal is first to get a F.3 completed on the shelf, and If I can produce parts that meet the standard you all would expect, I may consider making it available. I still have a lot to learn and since I only work on it sporadically, I have no real timeline I'm working toward. So bottom line if making the conversion available is viable, it will likely be a while. I'll provide updates as they are meaningful. 

 

Thanks again for the supportive comments!

[Cicchino]

Guys,

 

I have been in desperate need of a modeling victory as two builds  (P-47N and SC-1) I am eager to complete have stalled due to a couple of reasons, primarily related to getting the paint schemes done properly.  As a way of clearing my head and getting back on track, I’ve tried to push the Meteor F.3 conversion forward.

 

Pictured below are what I think are my final test shots of the nacelles - I cleaned up a couple of things from the photos, namely sorting out the tolerance on the front to rear join to remove the large gap. I painted them up in a very quick and dirty camouflage to see how they look. I am particularly pleased with the nacelle to inner wing join. The trailing edge around the exhaust is razor thin and super fragile - I have Derwant exhausts stuck in for now, but I will create a blank that can be attached temporarily while actually building the ‘production’ version to keep the edges protected.

 

Working on the wing panel lines now, and once I can solve the strap looking thing along the nacelle to wing joint I think I can do a final test. The test wing mates up beautifully with the nacelle.  

 

I welcome any critical feedback, especially from resident Meteor-ites! as I work toward finalizing the conversion.

 

Thanks for dropping by

 

 

John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 26 by Cicchino
spell check

[MikeC]

It needs an addition of a small outlet. This is positioned in the 11 o'clock position looking at the nacelle from the front. Evident on this photo and others. The port nacell has it in the same position, not mirrored.

https://www.airhistory.net/photo/452851/EE419/7247M

Other than that, looks fine. 

Edited March 26 by MikeC

[Cicchino]

Thanks Mike!

 

I've seen that outlet, and in looking at pics I think it is present on the Derwent engined Meteors. The Welland powered ones don't seem to have it, but they do have a small outlet on the underside toward the aft end of the nacelle, which I've included in the updated design. Since the engine exhaust prints are interchangeable, I will add the Welland outlet as an optional piece. My original intent was to b build one of the aircraft that were sent to Belgium in early 1945 and they all appear to be Welland powered (see pics below.) 

 

Learning more every day! Thanks for the great feedback!

 

Regards

 

John. 

Edited March 26 by Cicchino
Fixing mistake

[MikeC]

Definitely on Derwent mk 3s, it's also on the long nacelle mk 3s - the only way of telling a 3 from a 4.

 

Edit: just double checked against British Military Aircraft Serials  (Bruce Robertson): EE419, subject of the photo linked in my previous post, is definitely listed as a Mk 3

Edited March 26 by MikeC
Updated with confirmation