While your at it may as well add this too:aok
GLOSTER METEOR - The Gloster Meteor was designed by a team led by George Carter during 1940 to take advan-tage of the still unproved Whittle turbojet, and Air Ministry Specification F.9/40 was written round the Gloster proposal for a single-seat twin-engined fighter armed with four 20 mm British Hispano cannon. Twelve prototypes ordered February 1941, of which only eight built, with various engines. First to fly, on March 5, 1943, was DG206, powered by 1,500 Ib st (681 kgp) de Havilland H.ls, and with a wing span of 44 ft 3 in (13.49 m). Next to fly, on July 24, 1943, DG202 had 1,526 Ib st (693 kgp) Rover W.2B engines and span of 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m); and a prototype with 2,000 Ib st (908 kgp) Metrovick F.2 axial-flow turbo-jets, DG204, flew on November 13, 1943. One other prototype had H.I engines and pressure cabin; remainder powered by Rolls-Royce built engines of Whittle type.
Gloster Meteor F. Mk I: Initial production con-tract for 300 F.9/40-type fighters placed June 1941, to be named Gloster Meteor and pow-ered by 1,700 Ib st (772 kgp) Rolls-Royce W.2B/23 engines named Welland. Twenty built to F Mk 1 standard with four 20 mm cannon; first flight January 12, 1944. Twelve delivered July 1944 to No 616 Squadron to become RAF's first jet fighter unit, becoming operational in August against V-l flying bombs.
Max speed, 415 mph (675 km/h) at 10,000ft (3,050 m). Time to 30,000ft (9, 150 m), 15 min. Service ceiling, 40,000ft (12,200 m). Empty weight, 8,140 Ib (3,737 kg). Gross weight, 13,795 Ib (6,258 kg). Span, 43ft 0 in (13.11 m). Length, 41 ft 3 in (12.57 m). Wing area, 374 sqft (34.7m2).
Gloster Meteor F Mk II: Projected with 2,700 Ib st (1,226 kgp) Goblin I engines.
Gloster Meteor F Mk III: Similar to Gloster Meteor I, with 2,000 Ib st (908 kgp) Derwent I (W.2B/37) engines, sliding in place of hinged canopy, increased fuel, slotted air breaks and other improvements. Total 210 built, first 15 with Welland engines; first flight September 1944. Deliveries to No 616 Squadron December 1944 and opera-tional with 2nd TAP in Belgium with Nos 616 and 504 Sqn early 1945.
Gloster Meteor F Mk IV: Improved Mk III with 3,000 Ib st (1,362 kgp) Derwent Vs in long-chord nacelles, pressurised cockpit and other improvements. First flown May 17, 1945; production deliveries of Mk IV, and development of later variants, post-war.
