Gloster Meteor in British Service
Gloster Meteor in British Service

Author: Martin Derry

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2018-11-30

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13: 1526702681

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The Gloster F.9/40 was Britains first jet fighter and as the Meteor F.I became the first jet-powered aircraft of any description to enter service with the Allies in World War II. Several early Meteors were dispatched to Europe in the hope that 1945 might witness the first ever jet-on-jet combats between it and the much-vaunted German jets a contest which, in the event, was never to occur.Postwar, and the Meteor quickly became the backbone of the UKs day fighter defenses, progressing through successive Marks as it did so, until finally being replaced on the front line by later types during the mid-1950s. With their ever-adaptable airframe, two-seat Meteors became Britains primary night fighter too, serving for several years until replaced by the Gloster Javelin from the late 1950s onwards.With its operational career over, the Meteors adaptability and ruggedness was put to sterling use as an advanced trainer, the most obvious example of which was the T.7. As late as 1982, a handful of stalwarts were still soldiering on.Although space precludes a comprehensive history of such a prolific aircraft, it is hoped that both aviation enthusiasts and aircraft modelers may find some interesting examples in these pages, and sufficient inspiration to help them choose which color scheme to finish their latest Meteor model in.This latest addition to the FlightCraft range follows our well-established format in that it is split into three primary sections. The first covers the Meteor using numerous photographs, informative captions and tables. The second is a 16-page full-color illustration section featuring detailed profiles and 2-views of many of the color schemes and markings carried by British Meteors. The final section lists as many injection-moulded plastic model kits of the Meteor, in all the major scales, that the authors could obtain, plus a gallery of models made by some of the UKs best modelers.

The Gloster Meteor in British Service
The Gloster Meteor in British Service

Author: Martin Derry

Publisher: Pen & Sword Aviation

Published: 2018-03

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9781526702661

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The Gloster F.9/40 was Britain's first jet fighter and as the Meteor F.I became the first jet-powered aircraft of any description to enter service with the Allies in World War II. Several early Meteors were dispatched to Europe in the hope that 1945 might witness the first ever jet-on-jet combats between it and the much-vaunted German jets - a contest which, in the event, was never to occur. Postwar, and the Meteor quickly became the backbone of the UK's day fighter defenses, progressing through successive Marks as it did so, until finally being replaced on the front line by later types during the mid-1950s. With their ever-adaptable airframe, two-seat Meteors became Britain's primary night fighter too, serving for several years until replaced by the Gloster Javelin from the late 1950s onwards. With its operational career over, the Meteor's adaptability and ruggedness was put to sterling use as an advanced trainer, the most obvious example of which was the T.7\. As late as 1982, a handful of stalwarts were still soldiering on. Although space precludes a comprehensive history of such a prolific aircraft, it is hoped that both aviation enthusiasts and aircraft modelers may find some interesting examples in these pages, and sufficient inspiration to help them choose which color scheme to finish their latest Meteor model in. This latest addition to the FlightCraft range follows our well-established format in that it is split into three primary sections. The first covers the Meteor using numerous photographs, informative captions and tables. The second is a 16-page full-color illustration section featuring detailed profiles and 2-views of many of the color schemes and markings carried by British Meteors. The final section lists as many injection-moulded plastic model kits of the Meteor, in all the major scales, that the authors could obtain, plus a gallery of models made by some of the UK's best modelers.

Hawker Hunter in British Service
Hawker Hunter in British Service

Author: Martin Derry

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2019-09-30

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13: 1526742500

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“For any enthusiast and/or modeler of the Hawker Hunter this book will be like catnip . . . outstanding images of this classic post war aircraft.” —Vintage Airfix Initially introduced in 1954 as a swept-wing, transonic, single-seat day interceptor, the Hawker Hunter rapidly succeeded the first-generation jet fighters in RAF service such as the Gloster Meteor and the de Havilland Venom. Powered by the then newly developed Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet, the Hunter’s performance transformed the RAF’s day fighter squadrons from the mid-1950s until the advent of the English Electric Lightning from the early 1960s. Even then, as successively improved variants of the type were produced with increasingly more capable engines and expanded fuel capacity, the Hunter successfully transitioned into a strike/ground attack fighter-bomber and fighter reconnaissance platform. Two-seat variants were developed for training and other secondary roles with the RAF and the Royal Navy and a few remained in use until 2001, albeit with specialized MoD Test and Evaluation units—well over forty years after the type’s initial introduction. This addition to the Flight Craft series follows our well-established format in that it is split into three primary sections. The first covers the Hawker Hunter using numerous photographs, informative captions and tables. The second is a 16-page full-color illustration section featuring detailed profiles and 2-views of many of the color schemes and markings carried by Hunters. The final section lists as many injection-molded plastic model kits of the Hunter, in all the major scales, that the authors could obtain, plus a photo gallery of models made by some of the world’s best modelers. “A delight for anyone modeling a Hunter as it is so comprehensive.” —British Military History

Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor

Author: Phil Butler

Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781857802306

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This is the first ever in-depth history of one of the most successful British aircraft of all time, the British Gloster Meteor, whose strong popularity is evidenced by the recent release of several brand new model kits of the type. The Gloster Meteor first flew during World War II, and a few hardy survivors are still airworthy into the 21st century. It served with 16 overseas air forces as well as with the Royal Air Force. This book thoroughly covers the craft's design, development, and initial flight testing, as well as night fighter variants, construction information, service both in the United Kingdom and abroad, test beds and trials aircraft. The authors have had access to a wealth of material in the United Kingdom's Public Record Office which was not previously available to researchers on the aircraft. As a result, the book contains a great deal of previously unpublished information, many detailed photos in both color and black & white, and data tables and information on the serials carried by the aircraft.

Hawker Hunter in British Service
Hawker Hunter in British Service

Author: Martin Derry

Publisher: Pen & Sword Aviation

Published: 2018-10-30

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9781526742490

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The Hawker Hunter is one of Britain's classic postwar jet aircraft. Initially introduced in 1954 as a swept-wing, transonic, single-seat day interceptor, it rapidly succeeded the first-generation jet fighters in RAF service such as the Gloster Meteor (see Flight Craft 13) and the de Havilland Venom. Powered by the then newly developed Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet, the Hunter's performance transformed the RAF's day fighter squadrons from the mid-1950s until the advent of the English Electric Lightning from the early 1960s (see Flight Craft 11).Even then, as successively improved variants of the type were produced with increasingly more capable engines and expanded fuel capacity, the Hunter successfully transitioned into a strike/ground attack fighter-bomber and fighter reconnaissance platform. Two-seat variants were developed for training and other secondary roles with the RAF and the Royal Navy and a few remained in use until 2001, albeit with specialized MoD Test and Evaluation units - well over forty years after the type's initial introduction. Hunters were also famously used by two RAF display teams, the 'Black Arrows', who looped a record-breaking twenty-two Hunters in formation, and later the 'Blue Diamonds' as well as the Royal Navy's 'Blue Herons.'The Hunter saw combat service with the RAF in a range of conflicts including the Suez Crisis as well as various emergencies in the Middle East and Far East. The Hunter was also widely exported, serving with many foreign air forces, in which it also saw active service, which unfortunately lies outside the scope of this particular publication. Almost 2,000 Hunters were manufactured by Hawker Siddeley Aviation, as well as being produced under license overseas and will remain one of the UK's most iconic aircraft designs of all time.

Jet Prototypes of World War II
Jet Prototypes of World War II

Author: Tony Buttler

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2019-09-19

Total Pages: 81

ISBN-13: 1472835999

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While World War II raged, pioneering aircraft and engine designers were busy developing the world's first practical jet-powered research aircraft to test and prove the new technology. This book examines the aircraft that paved the way for Germany's Me 262 and Britain's Meteor - the world's first jet fighters. Throughout the war, Germany, Italy and Britain engaged in top-secret jet programmes as they raced to develop the airpower of the future. Various experimental aircraft were trialled in order to achieve the goal of producing an effective engine and fighter that could harness the potential of the jet power. These included the German Heinkel He 178 research aircraft and Heinkel He 280 jet fighter prototype, the famed British E.28/39 research aircraft built by Gloster Aircraft as well as the stillborn E.5/42 fighter and E.1/44 Ace fighter prototype, and finally the remarkable Italian Caproni-Campini N.1/CC 2 research aircraft. Illustrated throughout with full-colour artwork and rare photographs, this fascinating study examines the fore-runners to the military jet age.

Gloster Meteor Mk. 7 Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions
Gloster Meteor Mk. 7 Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions

Author: Royal Air Force

Publisher:

Published: 2010-01

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 9781935327912

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Designed by Gloster's brilliant chief engineer George Carter, the Meteor was Britain's first operational jet, and the first such aircraft in Allied inventory. The Meteor was an outgrowth of intensive r&d work conducted by Frank Whittle, inventor of the turbojet in 1929. The Meteor featured an all-metal fuselage, and straight wings with mid-mounted engine pods. The F1 version could achieve a speed of 417 mph at 10,000 feet, and entered service in June 1944. During WWII, it flew primarily as an interceptor against German V-1 "buzz bombs." Australian pilots flew it in combat during the Korean War, and Israel employed it during the Suez Crisis. The Meteor, in one variant form or another, remained in active service as a recon and training aircraft into the 1970s. Originally printed by Gloster and the Royal Air Force in 1957, this Mark 7 handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of the trainer version of the Meteor. Originally confidential military information, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form.

Sukhoi Su-15
Sukhoi Su-15

Author: Yefim Gordon

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2015-04-30

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 1473853575

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A history of this supersonic Soviet interceptor, including useful information for model makers. In the late 1950s, the Sukhoi Design Bureau, already an established fighter maker, started work on a successor to its Su-9 and Su-11 single-engined interceptors for the national Air Defense Force. Similar to its predecessors, the new aircraft, designated Su-15, had delta wings; unlike the Su-9/Su-11, however, it had twin engines and lateral air intakes freeing up the nose for a powerful fire control radar. First flown in May 1962, the Su-15 officially entered service in 1965 and was built in several versions, the late ones having cranked-delta wings and a more capable radar. Being an air defense fighter, the Su-15 frequently had to deal with intruders. Unfortunately the aircraft gained notoriety in two separate incidents involving shoot-downs of Boeing airliners (a 707 in 1978 and a 747 in 1983), both of which were South Korean and had intruded into Soviet airspace on what were very probably clandestine spy missions. This book describes the developmental and service history of the Sukhoi Su-15, and contains a comprehensive survey of all model-making kits currently available on the market.

Gloster Meteor Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions
Gloster Meteor Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions

Author: Royal Air Force

Publisher: Lulu.com

Published: 2008-04-06

Total Pages: 118

ISBN-13: 1935327194

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Designed by Gloster's brilliant chief engineer George Carter, the Meteor was Britain's first operational jet, and the first such aircraft in Allied inventory. The Meteor was an outgrowth of intensive r&d work conducted by Frank Whittle, inventor of the turbojet in 1929. The Meteor featured an all-metal fuselage, and straight wings with mid-mounted engine pods. The F1 version could achieve a speed of 417 mph at 10,000 feet, and entered service in June 1944. During WWII, it flew primarily as an interceptor against German V-1 "buzz bombs". Australian pilots flew it in combat during the Korean War, and Israel employed it during the Suez Crisis. The Meteor, in one variant form or another, remained in active service as a recon and training aircraft into the 1970s. Originally printed by Gloster and the Royal Air Force, this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of the trainer version of the Meteor. The manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form.