Gloster Meteor F8 WH301

Gloster Meteor F8 WH301

  • The Gloster Meteor was the RAF's first operational jet fighter aircraft
  • Built in November 1951 by Gloster Aircraft Company Limited
  • Aircraft assigned registration code WH301
  • Entered RAF service on 27th November 1951 with No 29 Maintenance Unit
  • Transferred between a number of Squadrons and Operational Training Units
  • Served with No 609 and No 85 Squadrons of the Royal Air Force
  • Retired from service and placed into storage at RAF Henlow in February 1967
  • Transferred to RAF Museum London in 1980 for display
  • One of more than a dozen preserved Meteor F8 airframes
ManufacturerGloster Aircraft Company (United Kingdom)
Aircraft typeMilitary fighter
Length 44ft 7in
Wingspan 37ft 2in
Height 13ft 0in
Weight 10,684lb (empty)/15,700lb (loaded)
Speed 600 mph
Ceiling height 43,000ft
Engines2x Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 turbojet producing 3,500lb thrust
Range 600 miles
Crew1 pilot