A numerical finite difference model has been developed to treat the transfer of heat and momentum between a gas environment and a particle injected into it. The model is based on an explicit solution scheme for the thermal field and explicit treatment of the momentum exchange. The latent heat associated with phase changes is simulated via a post-iterative heat accumulation scheme. Particle-gas heat transfer is represented by a heat transfer coefficient, which is a function of relative gas velocity. The validity of the model is confirmed via comparisons between predicted behaviour and previously-published experimental data for thermal histories and particle trajectories. Comparisons are also presented with predictions from previously-developed models. Results are then presented for the behaviour of hollow zirconia particles, with particular attention being paid to in-flight melting characteristics. It is shown that there is an optimum combination of particle size and wall thickness for the promotion of efficient melting, for a given gas flow and temperature field.