Meteor

The Gloster Meteor was the United Kingdom's first operational jet fighter and the Allies' only jet to see combat during World War II. Developed by the Gloster Aircraft Company, the design originated in 1939 when Sir H. A. Frank Whittle’s turbo‑jet engine concepts were paired with Gloster’s expertise in high‑speed airframes. The prototype, the E.28/39, flew in May 1941, and by July 1944 the Meteor Mk II entered service with the Royal Air Force, later evolving through Mk III, Mk IV, and the Mk VII interceptor that served into the 1950s. Key features included twin Whittle W.2/22 centrifugal‑flow engines mounted in the wings, a streamlined all‑metal fuselage, and a top speed of about 600 mph (965 km/h). Its armament typically comprised four 20 mm Hispano cannons, and later versions could carry rockets or bombs for ground‑attack missions. The Meteor’s significance lies in proving the viability of jet propulsion in combat, accelerating post‑war jet development worldwide, and laying the groundwork for Britain’s subsequent aircraft such as the Hawker Hunter and English Electric Lightning. Its operational record demonstrated reliability, influencing NATO air strategies during the early Cold War overall.

Gloster Aircraft Company

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