![]() ![]() A further batch was converted for use by the RAAF with the designation U.Mk.21. In October 1955, Flight Refuelling Ltd began the conversion of a number of ex-RAF Meteor F.8s as target aircraft, 233 being converted between 19 with the designation U.Mk.15 and U.Mk.16. The NF.14, the last of the Meteor fighters, had a new clear-vision cockpit canopy, and deliveries to the RAF were completed in 1955. The Meteors FR.9 and FR.10 were reconnaissance variants, while the 'long-nosed' Meteor NF.11, in this photo, NF.12, NF.13 and NF.14 were ASI-equipped night-fighters. 77 Squadron RAAF in Korea, where it proved to be greatly inferior to the Mig-15 but excelled in the ground-attack role. The Metoer F.8, which was supplied to both Egypt and Israel, saw considerable action during the Arab-Israeli war of 1956 it was also used by No. The F.8 was the most prolific of the Meteor variants and formed the mainstay of RAF Fighter Command in the early 1950s, equipping 32 regular and 11 R.Aux.AF squadrons. To improve the range and performance of the F.4, Gloster designed a new high-speed tail unit, lengthened the forward fuselage, installed an extra internal fuel tank and introduced a one-piece sliding cockpit canopy over a Martin Baker ejection seat, the modified aircraft emerging as the Meteor F.Mk.8 in October 1948. This version was used by most 2 TAF squadrons as their training aircraft until it was replced by the Vampire T.11. The Mk.6 was a swept-wing Meteor project that never left the drawing board, while the T.Mk.7 was a two-seat trainer variant, of which 640 were built. The Meteor F.Mk.5 was a photo-reconnaissance version of the Mk.4, only a few were built. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Derwent Vs, the F.Mk.4 first flew in April 1945 and subsequently, in November, set up a new world air speed record of 975 km/h (606 mph). 616 and 504 Squadrons in the closing weeks of the war, was followed into service by the Meteor F.Mk.4. The Mk.3 version which eventually equipped 15 squadrons of RAF Fighter Command in the immediate post-war years, and which had been operationally tested in a ground-attack role in Belgium with Nos. 616 Squadron did not begin until December 1944. The second variant to enter squadron service, the Meteor F.Mk.3, was a much better proposition than the F.Mk.1 as it used the 906 Kg (2,000 lb) thrust Rolls-Royce Derwent 1 engine however, delivereies to No. Re-formed in 1947, it operated Mosquitos and then Meteor Mks 3, 4 and 8 before disbanding for the last time in 1957. The Squadron flew Meteors until August 1945, when it disbanded. 616 Squadron, which began operational patrols against V-1 flying bombs in July 1944. ![]() The aircraft was powered by two 680 Kg (1,500 lb) thrust Halford H.1 turbojets, but the first 20 production aircraft were fitted with the 771 Kg (1,700 lb) Rolls-Royce Welland. Twelve prototypes were ordered and eight were completed, the first flying on 5 March 1943. The low thrust output of the engines available at the time dictated a twin-engined configuration. The Gloster Meteor was the Allies' first operational jet-fighter, and was Gloster's answer to Air Ministry specification F.9/40, calling for a single-seat interceptor powered by gas turbine engines. It served the Royal Air Force and other air forces until more advanced equipment came along in the 1950s. (Thanks to Mike Wraight.)Īpart from the fact that it was jet-powered, the Gloster Meteor was entirely conventional in design. David Watkins kindly tells me that they were from 96 Sqn. 8 until August 1956.Mike Wraight being taken for a ride in the back seat of a Meteor NF.11 from Ahlhorn, showing the Ahlhorn boys the way to the Fassberg range. 77 Squadron flew Meteors throughout the Korean War, returning to Australia in November 1954. 30 Meteors were shot down over Korea, most of them by anti-aircraft artillery. Meteors were quite successful in this air interdiction role, using both rockets and bombs on 4,836 sorties, during which they destroyed 4 MiG-15’s and an estimated 1500 vehicles. Thereafter, Meteors were re-assigned from escort fighter duty to air support missions, carrying anywhere from ten to twenty 60-pound rockets beneath their wings in double racks. Returning to South Korea’s Kimpo Air Base in July 1951, the squadron went into action with its new jet, which unfortunately proved to be no match for the Soviet MiG-15. 77 Squadron was initially equipped with American P-51 Mustangs, but in April 1951 the unit was withdrawn to Japan to re-equip with Meteor F.8 jets. 77 Squadron was the first non-American unit with the United Nations forces deployed to the Korean peninsula. The British Royal Air Force took delivery of the first F.8’s in 1949, but the Royal Australian Air Force may have had the largest contingent of the type of any country, purchasing 94 of them from the British. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |