The Gloster Meteor was a British twin-engine military jet fighter. Its first prototype flight took place at RAF Cranwell on 5 March 1943. The type became the first jet aircraft to enter Royal Air Force service and the only Allied jet fighter to see combat during the Second World War.[1][2]
Development of the family
The Meteor programme produced an aircraft family that continued developing after the war. Day-fighter, night-fighter and training versions served different operational requirements. Its twin-engine configuration and sturdy airframe also made it suitable for experimental installations, extending its usefulness beyond front-line interception.[1][2]
The Meteor F.8
By the end of 1947 the earlier Meteor was falling behind newer fighters. Gloster substantially revised the design while retaining enough of its structure to support production. The resulting F.8 became a major element of British air defence between 1950 and 1955, equipping regular and auxiliary squadrons. More than a thousand F.8s were built.[2]
Korean War service
The Royal Australian Air Force operated Meteor F.8s during the Korean War. The aircraft faced the more capable swept-wing MiG-15 and shifted from fighter duties towards ground attack. This combat experience differed from RAF use of the F.8, which did not see action in British service. Some aircraft later served as target tugs after leaving front-line units.[2]
Experimental use
A modified F.8, WK935, carried an additional cockpit in which a pilot lay prone. The trials investigated reduced frontal area and improved tolerance of acceleration. Although the arrangement proved technically feasible, control difficulties and the availability of protective flying clothing reduced its appeal. The aircraft retained its conventional cockpit and was never flown alone from the prone position.[3]