A British-made multi-task fighter that was the IAF's first jet fighter. 5 different models of the Meteor served in the IAF, and participated in numerous and varied missions, including attack, zero-visibility missions and instruction.
The Meteor was a safe, reliable plane, that took the IAF into the jet age. In 1955 the plane shot down two Egyptian Vampires. This was the first-ever kill by a jet in the skies of the Middle East.
Meteor T-7
A twin engine two seater, intended for training and unarmed. In 1955 two T-7's were converted into reconnaissance photography planes.
Meteor NF-13:
A tandem seat fighter intended for zero visibility missions, based on the Meteor NF-11 night interception model. The NF-13 was modified for use in warm climates: air conditioning volume was increased and the diameter of the engines' air intake enlarged.
Meteor F-8
Single seat fighter. Carried four 20 mm. cannon in the nose and American HVAR rockets under the wings.
Meteor F-9
A combat model for tactical photography. It was armed with four 20 mm. guns in the nose and carried 3 cameras. Because of the need for fighters, most of the F-9's were converted to fighting by replacing the nose with that of the F-8 - thus getting rid of the photography equipment.
Meteor 7.5
A twin seat instruction plane. A hybrid composed of the F-8's tail and the T-7's nose.
The RAF wanted a single seat fighter with a jet engine, and the British company Gloster gladly obliged. Gloster received the first order, for 12 prototypes of the new jet, in February of 1941, but in the end only 8 were built. The first of these took off on its maiden flight on March 5th 1943. While the prototype was being developed, Rolls Royce developed the Welland turbojet engine. Advanced F-3 model Meteors were used toward the end of WW2 on ground attack missions, but did not take part in the air war against the Luftwaffe.
Following WW2, Gloster developed more advanced models of the Meteor for the RAF and other air forces. New engine models were developed as well, which turned the Meteor into a fast multi-task plane, with improved acceleration and climb. Gloster's engineers redesigned it for new missions, such as advanced training, long range reconnaissance and night fighting.
Hundreds of units of the postwar F-4 model were manufactured and sold worldwide (to Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Holland and Egypt). The Meteor's tail unit caused serious efficiency problems, however, as did problems with the location of its CG. In order to overcome this, a lead weight was placed in the nose. This deadweight further reduced the Meteor’s efficiency.