First British Jet Fighter - Back to the skies, world's oldest jet fighter: Britain built Meteor to fly again 70 years after its first flight
70 years ago today, Britain's first front-line jets took to the skies at the height of the Second World War.
First British Jet Fighter
Nearly 4,000 Meteors were built and exported to serve countries around the world at a time when Britain truly ruled the skies.
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And this month, one of the last Meteors still in airworthy condition - the oldest British flying jet in the world - will take to the skies over Cornwall to mark the opening of a new museum at Maes Newquay Air, formerly RAF St Mawgan.
70 years ago today, Britain's first front-line jet fighter - the Gloster Meteor - took to the skies at the height of the Second World War
The Gloster Meteor was the first operational jet aircraft of the Allies, with service beginning in July 1944 with 616 Squadron.
The prototype was designed by George Carter and took off secretly from RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire on 5 March 1943.
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Meteors were initially based at RAF Culmhead in Somerset, but were soon moved to Manston in Kent, until the stage over occupied Europe was ready to intercept the dreaded German Luftwaffe.
The aircraft was quickly deployed to combat the threat posed by V-1 flying bombs, unmanned pulse jet missiles that were the forerunners of today's cruise missiles.
They were launched from the continent to later crash to earth over southern England. With a top speed of over 400 mph, the Meteors scored their first "kill" of V-1s in August 1944.
Originally created as a single-seater, pilots used to stamping, propeller-driven aircraft had to quickly come to grips with their new Meteors.
Gloster Meteor Editorial Image. Image Of Fighter, Allies
Many aircrews would be immediately taken by the lack of the spinning propeller they were used to seeing in front of their Spitfires and Hurricane fighters. They were also surprised by the quieter engines – at least from the cockpit; the noise outside is deafening to spectators.
In 1949, twin control meteors were produced which enabled flight instructors to ease the transition from pusher to jet aircraft.
By the end of the war, 16 RAF squadrons were equipped with Meteor F3s and soon after the F4 version was flown, which was 170 mph faster than its predecessor. By 1951, 20 RAF squadrons were flying the Meteor and it became one of the most popular aircraft in the air force's inventory.
By the end of the war, 16 RAF squadrons were equipped with Meteor F3s and soon after the F4 version was flown, which was 170 mph faster than its predecessor.
Gloster Meteor Mk.4 \
Legendary post-war test pilot Bill Waterton, in his memoirs The Quick and the Dead, described his first impressions of the new jet fighters as poor, saying that the early low-powered variants 'often seemed to touch and go they would go off. or not'.
"After the sound of Orthodox aircraft, they seemed to glide through the air in an unsettling, effortless silence," he said.
For a short period after the war, Gloster's Meteors were the best performing aircraft in the world and were an export success, being ordered by air forces around the world.
"It had the fastest speed and climb, the best maneuverability and the highest ceiling of any production aircraft in the world," he said.
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One is being flown as a test aircraft by the British company Martin Baker, which makes ejection seats for air forces around the world. Another is flying in Australia.
As well as its T.7 trainer, the museum formerly known as Air Atlantique when it was based at Coventry Airport operates a rare NF.11 night fighter which was one of the first vintage jets to fly in private hands.
Classic Air Force, which operates as a charity, will open its doors to the public on Good Friday 29. March. It will be the biggest visitor attraction to open in the South West since the Eden Project in 2003.
Gloster Meteors aircraft refueling at Druffield in Yorkshire. By 1951, 20 RAF squadrons were flying the Meteor and it became one of the most popular aircraft in the RAF's inventory
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With 25 aircraft, some of the aircraft are regular attractions at air shows across the UK. Some will be available to pay for passenger flights.
Group Captain Davie Paton OBE RAF retd, CEO of Classic RAF, said: “The Meteor is one of the most iconic of all British aircraft and has paved the way for generations of jet fighters.
Here at Classic Air Force we operate the last flyable example of the Meteor Night Fighter as well as a two-seat T.7 trainer variant.
Tim Skeet, chairman of the Classic Aircraft Trust, explained that the charity was established in 2012 to ensure that Meteors and several other classic British aircraft continue to operate in the skies over Britain.
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It is important that these aircraft are not lost abroad, and they can be an inspiration to future generations of pilots and engineers. They really are the last link to an era when Britain ruled the skies.'
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