The first allied jet fighter, the Meteor saw some action in the closing stages of World War 2 and continued to play an important role thereafter. The initial version, the Mk.1, was not much more than a proof of concept machine, albeit used operationally. 20 were built during 1944.

The Mk.2 did not make it beyond the prototype stage, but the improved Mk.3 was already a more potent war machine, thanks to the experience gained with its predecessors. 210 were built between 1945 and 1947, most with the characteristic stubby engine nacelles but some had the more streamlined long nacelles.

With jet engine technology progressing rapidly, the more powerful F.4 became a truly fast aircraft, beating the world speed record on several occasions. Built from 1946 on, 658 entered RAF service. The F.4 also turned out to be a succesful export product for the English manufacturer, with aircraft sold to the air forces of Argentine, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Egypt.

With several air forces converting to jet power the need for a 2-seat trainer became very real, so Gloster privately developed the T.7. With 712 examples built, one can fairly say that the Gloster people had it quite right !

Up to this point, the Meteor had always suffered from some instability problems. With the advent of the F.8, this was cured. With a new enlarged tail section, both stability and streamlining improved. No less than 1183 examples left the production halls, with deliveries to the most diverse air arms.

Matching the fighter version, 2 reconnaissance variants were built : the FR.9 (Fighter-Reconnaissance - 126 examples) and the PR.10 (Photographic Reconnaissance - 58 examples).

The larger tail of the F.8 version proved so good, that several T.7's were modified in the field with F.8 tails, thus creating the unofficial T.7 1/2.

During 1948 Gloster started development of the night fighter NF.11 version, which was ultimately built by Armstrong-Whitworth. The 335 NF.11's were followed by 100 similar but electronically updated NF.12's and 40 NF.13's ( a tropicalized NF.11 version).

The end of the production line was heralded by the more streamlined NF.14, 100 of which were built.

After the closing down of the production lines, several modified versions saw the light of day. Some were converted into pilotless drones for guided arms trials under the designation U.19.

This early F.3 still has the short engine fairings. It is representative of the handful of Meteors active during the final stages of the Second World War.

(Airfix 1/72 scae kit boxtop artwork - The Aviation Buffs Archive Collection)

F.4 'Star Meteor' EE549, RAF

In this aircraft, Group Captain Donaldson raised the world speed record to 991 km/h on 7 September 1946. Especially for the high speed flights, the aircraft had been polished. It was also modified to have a metal canopy with small portholes to reduce friction heat distortion problems otherwise encountered with the standard perspex canopy.

F.8 EG-79, lying dismantled after its move from the closed down Belgian Air Force base of Brustem to the Beauvechain Historical Centre. Since this picture was taken, the aircraft was mounted again on its plinth.

(picture provided by Stef De Wit)

(picture provided by Stef De Wit)

... and a similar aircraft preserved at Hendon's RAF Museum

(picture provided by Stef De Wit)

Gloster Meteor F.8 WH364

(picture courtesy Chris Hunt/Jet Age Museum)

The Jet Age Museum Meteor 8 gets a well deserved airing.

(picture courtesy Chris Hunt/ Jet Age Museum )

NF.11 OO-ARZ, Cogea Nouvelle (1960)

Previously owned by the Belgian Air Force, Cogea intended to convert the aircraft for the target-towing role. It was hardly ever flown before being sold abroad.

(picture courtesy Chris Hunt/Jet Age Museum)

Something completely different now.... In the early stages of jet engine development, the possibilities to drive a propellor by this new type of powerplant had to be checked. An early Meteor F.1 was re-engined with two Rolls Royce Trent engines and thus became one of the first turboprop aircraft.

(Artwork based on a genuine photograph - The Aviation Buffs Archive Collection)