Gloster Reaper (Meteor) F.8, RAAF

Drab camo version for SEA and Korean theatres in the 
P38H and P38J slots.
Original files by Richard 'Gramps' Kaminski and Charles Gunst.


cheers
Ade kelly 'flying tiger'
mar 2005 

RAAF Meteor history courtesy of Richard Kaminski.

The Meteor was the first jet fighter officially taken on by the RAAF, one F.3 being operated from 1946 until February 1947, when it was scrapped after a heavy landing at Darwin. Meteors entered squadron service in 1951 - by which time Vampire jets were also operating with the RAAF. 
The first of these Meteors were sent directly to Korea to replace 77 Sqn. Mustangs. As well as its 93 Meteor F.8's, the RAAF operated nine T.7's, and a single NF.11 for missile tests at Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) in the early 1950's.

In 1950, Glosters developed a ground-attack variant of the F.8. The F.8 G-AMCJ (later registered with temporary registration G-7-1) - "Ground Attack Fighter", or "Reaper" received reinforced, larger span wings with wingtip tanks, equipped with hard points for rockets and bombs (24 rockets or up to four 450 kilogram (1,000 pound) bombs). It had some structural reinforcements and additional armor.

It flew for the first time on 4 September 1950 and it was flown in the air shows of Farnborough in the same year and in 1951. In spite of not having received orders for this variant, the acquired experience was important, because soon that capacity would be specified by other Meteor users than the RAF, including Australia

Gloster Meteor(Reaper or Ground Attack Aircraft) F.8
TYPE: Single-seat fighter and ground attack aircraft 
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom 
ENGINES: Two Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 turbojets of 3,600 lb. thrust. 
DIMENSIONS: 
Wingspan: 37 ft 2 in / 11.33 m. 
Length: 44 ft 7 in / 13.59 m. 
Height: 13 ft 0 in / 3.96 m. 
PERFORMANCE: 
Max. speed: 501 kts / 912 kph / 571 mph
Initial climb: 7,000 ft / 2,134 m. per min. 
Max. range (internal fuel): 666 nm / 1,234 km. 
Service ceiling: 44,000 ft / 13,411 m. 
ARMAMENT: 4 x 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs, 24 Rockets  
WEIGHTS: 
Empty weight: 10,700 lb / 4,853 kg 
Max. loaded: 19,100 lb / 8,664 kg 
Normal loaded: 17,350 lb / 7,870 kg. 
CREW: 1 (The RAAF also operated some 2-seat variants) 
RAAF SERVICE: 1946-47 and 1951-63 
with 75 and 77 Sqns., and Citizen Air Force 22 (City of Sydney) Sqn. and 23 (City of Brisbane) Sqn., 38 Sqn., and Weapons Research Establishment (WRE). 




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