Aviation historian Malcolm V Lowe details the development and RAF career of Armstrong Whitworth’s radar-toting Meteor night fighters
Gloster’s Meteor is fittingly regarded as one of the iconic products of Britain’s aircraft industry. It was the first jet fighter to reach operational service with the RAF, and the type had an illustrious service career in British colours.
Meteors were manufactured in a variety of significant versions, initially as single-seat day fighters and two-seat trainers, and later as a two-seat, radar-equipped night fighter. It was in the nocturnal role that the Meteor served well into the 1950s, and although ‘afterdark’ Meteors were regarded as an interim type until a new generation of jet-powered ‘all-weather’ fighters left the drawing board, they served the RAF well during their decade or so of frontline service.
The history of the Meteor itself dates to the early days of successful jet engine development in Britain. Design work in earnest began during 1941, and the first Meteor flew in March 1943. Early production examples entered RAF service with 616 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force during the summer of the following year. The type duly proved to be successful and clearly also h…
