The Gloster Meteor is the first British jet fighter and the Allies' only jet aircraft to engage in combat operations during the Second World War. It was designed and primarily produced by the Gloster
One F.8 in flying condition operated by the RAAF's Historic Flight
Prototype Meteor DG202/G on display at the Royal Air Force Museum London in 2011. The "/G" appended to the aircraft serial denoted that the aircraft was to have an armed guard at all times while it was on the ground.
Meteor being deployed in March 1945
Operational Meteor NF.14 of No. 264 Squadron RAF in 1955
The de Havilland DH100 Vampire is a British jet fighter developed and manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. It was the second jet fighter to be operated by the Royal Air Force, after the
Gloster Meteor
…Meteor. During the aircraft's secretive development, employees and officials made use of the codename Rampage to refer to the Meteor, as similarly the de Havilland Vampire would initially be referred to as the Spider Crab. Test locations and other key project information were also kept secret. Although taxiing trials were…
Preserved de Havilland DH.115 Vampire trainer in Royal New Zealand Air Force markings
The first Vampire F.1, in 1945 at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
Vampire F.1 TG/278L The square fins and high horizontal stabilizer were changed for later production aircraft.
Comparison of the FB.5 single-seat (left) and T.11 dual-seat Vampire