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Meteor

Gloster Aircraft Company · Fighter · United Kingdom · WWII (1939–1945)

Meteor — Fighter
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The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' only jet aircraft to engage in combat operations during the Second World War. It was designed and primarily produced by the Gloster Aircraft Company, although its development was heavily reliant on its ground-breaking turbojet engines, pioneered by Frank Whittle and his company, Power Jets Ltd.

Specifications

Category
Fixed Wing
Sub-Category
Fighter
Domain
Defence
Era
WWII (1939–1945)
Country
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Gloster Aircraft Company
Operator
Royal Air Force; {{ubl|Royal Australian Air Force|Belgian Air Force |Argentine Air Force
Status
Active
Service Entry
1944
Produced
1943–1955
Engine
2× centrifugal flow turbojet engine
Thrust / Power
3600 lbf each
Length (ft)
44
Wingspan (ft)
37
Empty Weight (lb)
10684
MTOW (lb)
15700
Service Ceiling (ft)
43000
Range (mi)
600
Max Speed (mph)
600
Max Speed (Mach)
0.82
Armament
Guns: 4 × 20 mm Hispano MkV cannon; Bombs: two 1000 lb (450 kg) bombs; Rockets: Provision for up to sixteen "60 lb" RP-3 rockets or eight 5-inch HVAR rockets under outer wings