Brazil
were the second major export customer for the Meteor taking delivery of 60 F8's
and 10 T7 trainers which were designated the TF-7. The Meteors were ordered
in April 1947. Interesting fact about the acquisition is that at the time
Brazil was hard pressed for foreign currency so payment was made in the form of
15,000 tons of raw cotton.
This
model shows the first paint scheme used. I built it straight from the box,
with the addition of the 3 handles, navigation lights and antennae.
Decals are
FCM and the paint was just common silver paint.
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The
Meteors served with the 1st Fighter Aviation Group (1°/1° and 2°/1° GAvCa)
at Santa Cruz, near Rio de Janeiro (This is the one I built) and the 1°/14°
Aviation Group at Canoas, near Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil. The last flight
of a TF-7 was made by FAB 4309 on October 7, 1971.
To extend their
range they could also carry underwing drop tanks in addition to the standard
ventral tank. Brazilian Meteors were also fitted with the Bendix AN/ARN-6
automatic direction finder in a housing on the fuselage spine in a similar
position to that of RAAF Meteors in Korea.
Ulysses Almeida
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