Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8, No 500 (Royal Auxiliary Air Force) Squadron RAF West Malling, Kent, 1953

The Gloster Meteor was not only the first jet aircraft to go into squadron service with the Royal Air Force, but also the only Allied jet fighter to see action in the Second World War. The first squadron of Meteors was just in time to join piston-engined fighters in their fight against the flying-bombs in 1944. Design of the Meteor began in 1940, was followed by eight prototypes and a production contract for 20 aircraft. The first Meteor flew on 5 March 1943, following the successful trails of the Gloster E28/39 ‘Whittle Jet’ two years earlier. From the MNk.1 the Meteor was developed into various fighter, trainer and reconnaissance variants, but it was the Mark 8 that became the most successful and prolific. From 1950 to 1955 the Meteor F.8 was the major type of single-seat day interceptor in service with RAF Fighter Command. It was developed from the F.Mk.4 and had updated Rolls-Royce 3,600lb Derwent engines, a modified cockpit plus an ejector seat and was armed with four 20mm guns in the nose. The first Meteor F.8 made its initial flight on 12 October 1948 and soon became known by fighter pilots as the ‘Meatbox’. The Meteor F.8 equipped nineteen front line RAF squadrons and ten squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, including No.500 (County of Kent) Squadron at West Malling in Kent, who had previously operated the Meteor F.3 and F.4. The RAF’s Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons converted to the F.Mk.8 in 1952 and operated them until 1957, when the decision was taken to disband the Auxiliary Air Forces. No.500 Squadron disbanded earlier, on 10 March 1953. WF714 had a landing accident whilst with the squadron on summer camp at Malta in early 1953.

Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8, No 500 (Royal Auxiliary Air Force) Squadron RAF West Malling, Kent, 1953

The Gloster Meteor was not only the first jet aircraft to go into squadron service with the Royal Air Force, but also the only Allied jet fighter to see action in the Second World War. The first squadron of Meteors was just in time to join piston-engined fighters in their fight against the flying-bombs in 1944. Design of the Meteor began in 1940, was followed by eight prototypes and a production contract for 20 aircraft. The first Meteor flew on 5 March 1943, following the successful trails of the Gloster E28/39 ‘Whittle Jet’ two years earlier. From the MNk.1 the Meteor was developed into various fighter, trainer and reconnaissance variants, but it was the Mark 8 that became the most successful and prolific. From 1950 to 1955 the Meteor F.8 was the major type of single-seat day interceptor in service with RAF Fighter Command. It was developed from the F.Mk.4 and had updated Rolls-Royce 3,600lb Derwent engines, a modified cockpit plus an ejector seat and was armed with four 20mm guns in the nose. The first Meteor F.8 made its initial flight on 12 October 1948 and soon became known by fighter pilots as the ‘Meatbox’. The Meteor F.8 equipped nineteen front line RAF squadrons and ten squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, including No.500 (County of Kent) Squadron at West Malling in Kent, who had previously operated the Meteor F.3 and F.4. The RAF’s Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons converted to the F.Mk.8 in 1952 and operated them until 1957, when the decision was taken to disband the Auxiliary Air Forces. No.500 Squadron disbanded earlier, on 10 March 1953. WF714 had a landing accident whilst with the squadron on summer camp at Malta in early 1953.