List of surviving Gloster Meteors

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Gloster Meteor T.7 G-BWMF of the Classic Air Force displaying at RIAT, 2012 WA591 (7503026524).jpg
Gloster Meteor T.7 G-BWMF of the Classic Air Force displaying at RIAT, 2012

The Gloster Meteor is a twin-engined jet fighter, the first jet aircraft to serve with the RAF and the only Allied jet aircraft to reach combat in World War II. Almost 4,000 were produced, mostly in service with the RAF between 1944 and 1965. Meteors also served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), whose aircraft saw action in the Korean War; other users included the Argentinian, Brazilian, Belgian, Danish, Dutch, Ecuadorian, French and Israeli air forces. Many are preserved but only four are airworthy.

Contents

Surviving aircraft

Argentina

Gloster Meteor C-038 at Plaza Fuerzas Armadas in Junin, where it was in the 1980s. JUNIN Gloster Meteor 001.jpg
Gloster Meteor C-038 at Plaza Fuerzas Armadas in Junín, where it was in the 1980s.
Gloster Meteor C-038 current location at Aero Club next to the airport in Junin, at kilometer 155 of Route 188. Junin Aero Club 001.jpg
Gloster Meteor C-038 current location at Aero Club next to the airport in Junín, at kilometer 155 of Route 188.
Meteor F.4 C-041 at the Museo Nacional de Aeronautica, Buenos Aires in 2006 GlosterFMk4MeteorC-0411.jpg
Meteor F.4 C-041 at the Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica, Buenos Aires in 2006

The first export order for Meteors came from Argentina, which received 100 F.4s. The first 50 were ex-RAF, the second 50 new. [1] The Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA) identified aircraft with a number which remained the same throughout the life of the airframe, preceded by a letter indicating the role. From purchase in the late 1940s to about 1963 the Meteors were used as interceptors, letter I, and hence serialled e.g. I-025. After that, they were deployed as fighter bombers, letter C, and the same aircraft exampled before became C-025. A few, rebuilt aircraft did change number.

Stored or under restoration [2]
On display [2]

Australia

Meteor F.8 VH-MBX at Point Cook in 2006. Gloster Meteor VH-MBX YMPC Creek.jpg
Meteor F.8 VH-MBX at Point Cook in 2006.
Airworthy
On display

Belgium

Meteor F.8 EG-224 at the Royal Military Museum Brussels in 2007. Royal Military Museum Brussels 2007 442.JPG
Meteor F.8 EG-224 at the Royal Military Museum Brussels in 2007.

The Belgian Air Force had 48 Meteor F.4s, 42 T.7s and, later 240 F.8s. [19]

On display

Brazil

Meteor T.7 4309 ex-WS151 at the Museu Aeroespacial (MUSAL), Campo dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro in 2005. GlosterMeteror musal.jpg
Meteor T.7 4309 ex-WS151 at the Museu Aeroespacial (MUSAL), Campo dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro in 2005.

The Brazilian Air Force received 10 Meteor T.7s and 60 F.8s. [24]

On display

Czech Republic

On display

Denmark

Danish F.8 43-499 at the Danmarks Flymuseum in 2006 Gloster Meteor F. MK. 8 2.jpg
Danish F.8 43-499 at the Danmarks Flymuseum in 2006

The Royal Danish Air Force purchased 20 each of Meteors marks F.4, F.8 and NF.11, plus 9 T.7s. [38]

Stored
On display

(Location data from: [43] )

Ecuador

The government ordered 12 ex-RAF FR.9s in 1954. [44]

France

French Meteor NF. 11 at Ailes Anciennes Toulouse in 2008. Gloster Meteor NF.11 (MAA).jpg
French Meteor NF. 11 at Ailes Anciennes Toulouse in 2008.

L'Armée de l'Air had 32 ex-RAF meteor NF.11s delivered in the early 1950s. [48]

On display

Germany

On display

Israel

Gloster Meteor T.7 18 "Ra'am" (Thunder) at Hatzerim in 2010. Gloster Meteor Hatzerim 2901101.jpg
Gloster Meteor T.7 18 "Ra'am" (Thunder) at Hatzerim in 2010.

The Israeli Air Force received 4 Meteor T.7s, 12 F.8s, 7 FR.9s and 6 NF.13s. [55]

On display

Malta

Stored or under restoration
On display

New Zealand

Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Air Force received 65 Meteor F.4s, 43 T.7s and 160 F.8s. [63]

Stored or under restoration
On display

Sweden

Stored or under restoration
On display

United Kingdom

T.7 G-BWMF painted as WA591 in 2013 A2843-G-BWMF-Meteor-RIAT2013.JPG
T.7 G-BWMF painted as WA591 in 2013
Airworthy
Meteor T.7 WA638 used by Martin-Baker for ejection seat development: non-standard canopy and F.8 tail. 2008 Gloster meteor of martin baker wa638 arp.jpg
Meteor T.7 WA638 used by Martin-Baker for ejection seat development: non-standard canopy and F.8 tail. 2008
Stored or under restoration
On display
Meteor T.7 VZ638 at the Gatwick Aviation Museum in 2008. MeteorVZ638-309.jpg
Meteor T.7 VZ638 at the Gatwick Aviation Museum in 2008.
Meteor T.7 VZ634 at the Newark Air Museum in 2006. MeteorVZ638-055.jpg
Meteor T.7 VZ634 at the Newark Air Museum in 2006.
Meteor NF.14 WS739 at the Newark Air Museum in 2006. MeteorWS739-056.jpg
Meteor NF.14 WS739 at the Newark Air Museum in 2006.

United States

Airworthy
Under restoration
On display

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 James 1971 , p. 262
  2. 1 2 Padín 2007 , pp. 34–45
  3. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 499
  4. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 510
  5. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 503
  6. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 375
  7. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 379
  8. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 397
  9. 1 2 3 Ogden 2008, page 412
  10. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 404
  11. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 358
  12. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 399
  13. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 394
  14. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 362
  15. 1 2 Ogden 2008, page 374
  16. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 365
  17. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 388
  18. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 389
  19. ↑ James 1971 , pp. 263, 270, 280
  20. 1 2 Ogden 2009, page 35
  21. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 25
  22. 1 2 3 4 James 1971 , p. 280
  23. 1 2 Ogden 2009, page 30
  24. 1 2 James 1971 , p. 271, 283
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ogden 2008, page 525
  26. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 523
  27. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 530
  28. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 528
  29. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 588
  30. 1 2 Ogden 2008, page 532
  31. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 522
  32. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 515
  33. 1 2 Ogden 2008, page 517
  34. 1 2 3 Ogden 2008, page 516
  35. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 527
  36. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 533
  37. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 61
  38. ↑ James 1971 , pp. 264, 271, 281, 295
  39. 1 2 3 Ogden 2009, page 82
  40. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 79
  41. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 77
  42. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 84
  43. ↑ "Planes linked to locations in Denmark". Wrecks and relics online. iksmode. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  44. ↑ James 1971 , pp. 288–9
  45. 1 2 Ogden 2008, page 548
  46. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 547
  47. 1 2 3 Ogden 2008, page 550
  48. ↑ James 1971 , pp. 295–6
  49. 1 2 3 Ogden 2009, page 116
  50. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 121
  51. 1 2 3 Ogden 2009, page 189
  52. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 126
  53. ↑ "MAE reserve list". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  54. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 250
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ogden 2008, page 135
  56. 1 2 Ogden 2008, page 138
  57. ↑ "Airliners".
  58. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 139
  59. 1 2 Ogden 2009, page 360
  60. ↑ "Hooton Park". Air Britain News (April 2011): 480.
  61. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 39
  62. ↑ Ogden 2008, page 422
  63. 1 2 James 1971 , pp. 262–3, 270, 281
  64. ↑ "Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8 jachtvliegtuig met registratienummer 7E-5 (I-207) c/n 6511". collectie.nmm.nl. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  65. ↑ "Het Gloster 'Meteor' F.Mk.4 jachtvliegtuig met registratienummer I-69 ex R.A.F c/n VZ409". collectie.nmm.nl. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  66. ↑ "Lesvliegtuig Gloster 'Meteor' T.Mk.7 registratienummer I-19 ex RAF WH233". collectie.nmm.nl. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  67. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 387
  68. ↑ "3W-50".
  69. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 547
  70. ↑ "G-AMCJ".
  71. ↑ Ogden 2009, page 559
  72. 1 2 "Register Notes". Air-Britain News . September 2015. pp. SEP1418. ISSN   0950-7442.
  73. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 173
  74. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 198
  75. ↑ Ellis 2014, page 66
  76. ↑ Pilot, December 2011, p49
  77. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 219
  78. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 217
  79. ↑ James 1971 , p. 258
  80. 1 2 3 "New Age Dawns". FlyPast : 48–9. December 2013.
  81. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 170
  82. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 208
  83. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 175
  84. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 272
  85. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 281
  86. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 260
  87. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 257
  88. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 218
  89. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 279
  90. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 30
  91. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 200
  92. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 143
  93. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 156
  94. ↑ James 1971 , pp. 279–90
  95. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 22
  96. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 267
  97. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 167
  98. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 162
  99. ↑ "World's last flying Meteor NF.11 makes final flight". 5 January 2019.
  100. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 171
  101. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 70
  102. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 280
  103. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 152
  104. 1 2 Ellis 2008, page 129
  105. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 46
  106. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 277
  107. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 38
  108. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 177
  109. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 194
  110. ↑ Ellis 2010, page 220
  111. ↑ Ellis 2008, page 86
  112. ↑ "World Heritage Air Museum".
  113. ↑ Ogden 2011, page 216
  114. ↑ Ogden 2011, page 130
  115. ↑ Ogden 2011, page 167

Bibliography

  • Ellis, Ken (2008). Wrecks & Relics (21 ed.). Manchester: Crecy. ISBN   978-0-85979-134-2.
  • Ellis, Ken (2010). Wrecks & Relics (22 ed.). Manchester: Crecy. ISBN   978-0-85979-150-2.
  • Ellis, Ken (2014). Wrecks & Relics (24 ed.). Manchester: Crecy. ISBN   978-08597-91779.
  • Ogden, Bob (2008). Aviation Museums and Collections of the rest of the World (2 ed.). Tonbridge, Kent: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN   978-0-851-30-394-9.
  • Ogden, Bob (2009). Aviation Museums and Collections of Mainland Europe. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN   978-0-85130-418-2.
  • Ogden, Bob (2011). Aviation Miuseums and Collections of North America (2 ed.). Tonbridge, Kent: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN   978-0-851-30-427-4.
  • James, Derek N. (1971). Gloster Aircraft since 1917. London: Putnam Publishing. ISBN   0-370-00084-6.
  • Padín, Jorge (2007). Serie Fuerza Aérea #12 Gloster Meteor. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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