A well-loved military plane has been removed from Royton's ATC base after more than half a century.

The Gloster Meteor NF14 left the 1855 (Royton) Squadron ATC base today to be restored in a private collection in Essex.

The WS726 jet has been the gate guardian at Royton’s ATC base for the past 55 years.

But today (April 11) it has been moved to a new home in Essex where it will be restored for a museum.

The Meteor Night Fighter (NF) 14 was developed as a short-term measure to bolster the RAF’s night fighter capabilities at the beginning of the Cold War.

It is the last of the night fighter series and Meteor type.

The first Meteor T7 was a two-seat trainer jet that was modified with an elongated nose to accommodate its AI radar scanner.

The aircraft was 51 feet in length and could go up to speeds of 567mph at 30,000 feet.

The first Meteor NF14 (WM261) flew on October 23, 1953, before being retired at the Royal Scottish Museum of Flight.

The Oldham Times: The Meteor is taken up into the air one last time. Photo by Mark HamiltonThe Meteor is taken up into the air one last time. Photo by Mark Hamilton

Up to 100 NF14 aircraft were manufactured to equip squadrons across the country.

But Royton’s jet, WS726, was flown by the test pilot, Martin Walton, at the AWA airfield at Coventry Baginton Airport on November 14, 1953.

Mr Walton had joined the RAF during the Second World War and was promoted to Squadron Leader in September 1951 where he flew many aircraft for testing.

The WS726 then moved to numerous RAF bases during the 1950s including RAF Langar, RAF Wroughton and RAF West Malling.

RAF Malling was home to one of the RAF’s most distinguished Squadrons, No.25, which boasted famous pre-war members such as Arthur Clouston who broke air racing records throughout the 1930s.

But during the aircraft’s service with the No.25 Squadron, it was modified with target towing duties to facilitate the training of fighter pilots.

From 1958 to 1966, the jet was used to train future pilots.

It granted aspiring pilots the opportunity to enjoy a fast jet experience and learn night-time navigation.

However, it was declared a non-effective airframe on March 8, 1966 at RAF Kemble and finally came to the 1855 Royton Squadron ATC base on August 16, 1967.

The Oldham Times: The plane has been dismantled for removal. Photo by Mark HamiltonThe plane has been dismantled for removal. Photo by Mark Hamilton

Today, it embarks upon another journey to Essex where it will be restored.

The jet has been bought by a private entrepreneur.

Mark Hamilton, deputy training officer RAFAC, said the removal team struggled to take the aircraft away last Wednesday.

At the time, he said: “While it is corroded in certain places, it’s actually quite strong inside.

“It’s causing more of a problem than they thought it would.”

The team were able to move it today but people in Oldham are sad to see the jet leave.

Joe Lord commented: “Such a shame, the end of an era.”

Matt Riley agreed: “Definitely the end of an era. At least she’s not being scrapped.”

Adrian Lindley said: “Those old bones still have happy memories in them.”

It is the last of three planes to leave Royton's ATC.

The Spitfire MXVI TE184 left in 1967 to be used in the Battle of Britain film while the Vampire T.11 went to the RAF Millom Museum in 1997.