Gloster Meteor T 7 A77-705
Built in 1950 as WA680, this aircraft originally served with the Royal Air Force's No 47 Maintenance Unit before transfer to the RAAF in 1955. Received at No 1 Aircraft Depot in November 1955, A77-705 was allotted to No 22 Squadron in April 1956. In April 1959, the aircraft was used by the Aircraft Research and Development Unit, moving to No 1 Air Trials Unit at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, in March 1960. In February 1962, whilst with the Air Trials Unit, the aircraft was stationed at Woomera for use in flying trials. In March 1964, the aircraft was fitted with shepherd equipment for use in operations with pilotless aircraft at Woomera. In October 1967, A77-705 was handed over to the Weapons Research Establishment at Woomera.
In 1970, A77-705 became available to the UK-Australian Joint Project at Woomera, and was returned to the UK Ministry of Defence Military Register as WA680. During this period the aircraft came under the control of the Directorate of Flying (Research and Development), Procurement Executive, Ministry of Defence, London. After conclusion of project work at Woomera, the aircraft was delivered by air to Point Cook by a Shorts Air Services pilot on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence.
Upon arrival at Point Cook, A77-705 was maintained by volunteers from No 1 Flying Training School in a taxiable condition, pending a decision on making the aircraft airworthy once more. In 1989, the aircraft was moved to No 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron at Laverton for restoration to airworthiness, but the project was terminated in 1992 due to the cost of replacement engines. The aircraft was reassembled in mid-1992, and returned to Point Cook, and is currently stored pending space becoming available for additional aircraft displays at the RAAF Museum.
