Gloster Meteor F.4
Gloster / Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1945 · fighter
The Meteor F.4 was a significantly improved variant powered by Rolls-Royce Derwent 5 engines, which set a world air speed record of 975 km/h in 1945 and became the RAF's standard first-line fighter from 1947.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Clipped-tip wings and longer Derwent 5 nacelles compared with early Meteors
- Four 20 mm Hispano cannon in nose, no gun ports on wings
- World absolute speed record holder in November 1945
Clipped squared-off wingtips and longer Derwent nacelles distinguish the F.4 from the F.1/F.3; the F.8's longer fuselage and revised tail separate later marks.
Specifications
- The Gloster Meteor F.4 has a length of 12.6 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.33 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 933 km/h (580 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Development of the Derwent-powered Meteor began in 1944, and the F.4 entered RAF service in 1947 as a major improvement over the F.3. It featured clipped wings to improve roll rate and longer, more efficient nacelles. The type was exported to Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, the Netherlands, and several other nations.
Variants
The F.4 was built by both Gloster and Armstrong Whitworth; it preceded the definitive F.8 and spawned the T.7 dual-control trainer, which shared the F.4 fuselage.
Where you'll see it
Equipped numerous RAF Fighter Command squadrons from 1947; also served with the Belgian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, and Argentine Air Force.
Related aircraft
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