Gloster Meteor F9/40
Serial Number:
DG202/G
Period:
WWII
Collection Ref: 85/A/64
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, Research & Development
As precursors of the Gloster Meteor, the first jet fighter
to see service with the Royal Air Force, the F9/40 prototypes manufactured
by the Gloster Aircraft Company pioneered the application of jet propulsion
to combat aircraft design in the United Kingdom.
Following his work on Britain's first jet research aircraft, the E28/39,
Gloster Chief Designer, George Carter, submitted a design for a fighter
aircraft powered by two jets to the Air Ministry in August 1940. Subsequently,
a contract for the production of twelve F9/40s was placed on 7 February
1941, although only eight were actually built.
This aircraft was the first F9/40 manufactured. However, due to engine
problems with the early prototypes the fifth prototype became the first
to fly on 5 March 1943. Employed in essential early airframe and engine
development trials, the F9/40 fleet laid the groundwork for the introduction
into RAF service of the Gloster Meteor fighter and represented a milestone
in the use of jet engines by the British aircraft industry.
