On October 10th, 1990, the operational life of Gloster Meteor D.16 WH453/L ended after 4106.55 flying hours. Its long carreer started back in October 1951, when it was delivered as a Meteor F.8 to 222 sqdn at RAF Leuchars (through 33 MU, or Maintenance Unit). It served with several squadrons until it was converted to U.16 Drone version (later D.16) in April 1972. From 1974 until 1990 WH453 served with RAE West Freugh and Llanbedr. It was the last active Meteor in the world and the last jet fighter with close family roots to WWII. Fortunately the Meteor was saved and it is now being rebuilt to original F.8 condition (static condition), in the tactical camouflage of the time.