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Meteor F. Mk. I

Fighter

Gloster

Meteor F. Mk. I

GLOSTER METEOR - The Gloster Meteor was designed by a team led by George Carter during 1940 to take advantage of the still unproved Whittle turbojet, and Air Ministry Specification F.9/40 was written round the Gloster proposal for a single-seat twin-engined fighter armed with four 20 mm British Hispano cannon. Twelve prototypes ordered February 1941, of which only eight built, with various engines. First to fly, on March 5, 1943, was DG206, powered by 1,500 lb st (681 kgp) de Havilland H.ls, and with a wing span of 44 ft 3 in (13.49 m). Next to fly, on July 24, 1943, DG202 had 1,526 lb st (693 kgp) Rover W.2B engines and span of 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m); and a prototype with 2,000 lb st (908 kgp) Metrovick F.2 axial-flow turbo-jets, DG204, flew on November 13, 1943. One other prototype had H.I engines and pressure cabin; remainder powered by Rolls-Royce built engines of Whittle type.

Gloster Meteor F. Mk I: Initial production contract for 300 F.9/40-type fighters placed June 1941, to be named Gloster Meteor and powered by Rolls-Royce W.2B/23 engines named Welland. Twenty built to F Mk 1 standard with four 20 mm cannon; first flight January 12, 1944. Twelve delivered July 1944 to No 616 Squadron to become RAF's first jet fighter unit, becoming operational in August against V-1 flying bombs.

Gloster Meteor F Mk II: Projected with 2,700 lb st (1,226 kgp) Goblin I engines.


Aircraft | Gloster | Gladiator | Meteor F Mk.1 | Meteor F Mk.3 | Photos & Drawings |

                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Specifications
F.Mk. I F. Mk.III
Crew 1
Dimensions
Length 12.57 m (41 ft 3 in)
Height, m 3.96 m (13 ft 0 in)
Wing span 13.11 m (43ft 0 in)
Wing area 34.74 m² (374 sqft)
Weight
Weight Empty weight 3,737 kg (8,140 lb) 4,771 kg (10,517 lb)
Gross weight 6,258 kg (13,795 lb) 6,559 kg (14,460 lb)
Powerplant
Rolls-Royce 2 x TJE W.2B/23C Welland 2 x TJE W.2B/37 Derwent I
Thrust 2 x 772 kgp (1,700 lb) 2 x 908 kgp (2,000 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed at altitude 3,050 m (10,000 ft) 675 km/h (415 mph) 837 km/h (515 mph)
Service range 2000 km (1250 mi) 2160 km (1350 mi)
Time to 9,150 m (30,000ft) 15 min
Service ceilling 12,200 m (40,000ft) 13,400 m
Armament
20-mm cannon 4 4
Photo Description
Drawing Meteor F Mk.I

Drawing Meteor F Mk.I

Meteor F.1 of 616-th Squadron

1. Meteor F.1 of 616-th Squadron on the run way, 1944.

2. Two Meteor F.1 of 616-th Squadron at 1944.

Bibliography

  • "Encyclopedia of military engineering" /Aerospace Publising/
  • "British Warplanes of World War II" /under cor. D. March/
  • "Air War" /# 120 Gloster Meteor/