This is the Gloster Meteor F.8 for the Korean Air War project of Microprose's European Air War. The aircraft represented is from 77 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Kimpo, South Korea, July 1953, A77-851, "Halestorm", the personal mount of Sergeant George Hale. Hale claimed the last air-to-air victory of the RAAF (so far!), when he downed a MiG-15 on 27 March 1953, near Singosan in North Korea.

The new skin is by me, the 3dz is by Charles Gunst (who says it needs updating badly, which will happen shortly, fingers crossed!), and this zip comes with a new "Meteor" cockpit and wingview, adapted from one of Serb's 262's. Also comes with modifed FM and weapons loadout, courtesy of Flyright.

Thanks guys!

About the Meteor in RAAF service:

Gloster Meteor 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: 519 kts / 962 kph / 601 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: 4x 20mm cannon; 2x 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs or 8x 60 lb. / 27 kg. rockets under wings. 
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). 

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.


Richard "Gramps" Kaminski
30/10/02
Endeavour2000@hotmail.com
