Page 66 - Aviation News (February 2020)

NF Meteors
The RAF’s First
Jet Night-Fighters
Armstrong Whitworth turned the
Meteor from a simple day-fi ghter into
one of the fi rst radar-equipped all-weather
jet interceptors. Doug Gordon remembers
the career of the early night-fi ghter
Meteors, the NF.11 and NF.13.
A pilot and navigator ‘scramble’ aboard their
Meteor NF.11 for a night intercept in 1953.
Key Collection
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T he Gloster Meteor served with the
RAF and numerous other air forces
for many years in a variety of guises
Tand roles. Meteor F.1 fi ghters began
operations with 616 Sqn in July 1944, and
operations with 616 Sqn in July 1944, and
were replaced in December of that year
were replaced in December of that year
by F.3s. From then on, until the late 1950s,
by F.3s. From then on, until the late 1950s,
when it became progressively superseded
when it became progressively superseded
by more modern aircraft, the Meteor served
by more modern aircraft, the Meteor served
with over 70 RAF, RAuxAF and Fleet Air Arm
with over 70 RAF, RAuxAF and Fleet Air Arm
squadrons. More than 3,500 were produced
squadrons. More than 3,500 were produced
for the UK and for export, the last rolling o
for the UK and for export, the last rolling o
the line in 1954.
the line in 1954.
The trainer version of the aircraft made
its fi rst fl ight on March 19, 1948. Designed
its fi rst fl ight on March 19, 1948. Designed
as a private venture and based on the
as a private venture and based on the
Meteor F
Meteor F.4, the Gloster G43, carrying the
Meteor F.4, the Gloster G43, carrying the .4, the Gloster G43, carrying the
civil registration G-AKPK, was intended to
tour Europe and demonstrate the Meteor
to European air arms. The tandem seating
AVIATION NEWS FEBRUARY 2020
10/01/2020 14:39