Meteor F.8/FR.9 From Just Flight

The first British Jet Fighter – The Meteor F.8/FR.9, the Meteor for FSX/P3D includes models of the F.8 fighter and the FR.9 fighter-reconnaissance variants, in a total of 12 liveries.

The detailed virtual cockpit features simple autopilot functionality, simulated UV cockpit lighting and a retractable reticle gunsight. Other features include selectable wing fuel tanks or wing-mounted (non-operational) rockets (rockets non-operational), an authentic sound set and selectable identification light colours.

Although the Gloster Meteor is regarded as typical of Britain’s Jet Age supremacy, its development actually began in the dark days of 1940 and the design, although quite primitive, turned out to be a successful fighter and evolved quickly through the 1940s and 1950s.

Although the aircraft saw only limited combat in WWII, nearly 4,000 airframes were built in a variety of specifications, including ground attack and photo-reconnaissance, and served with many countries.

Meteors flew as night-fighters, trainers and ejection-seat test-beds. An F.3 set the world’s first official air speed record for a jet aircraft on 7th November 1945 at 606 miles per hour. The following year an F.4 extended this record to 616 miles per hour. One Meteor, fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent turbines driving propellers, even became the world’s first turboprop aircraft to take to the air.

Although quickly eclipsed by the stars of the late 50s and 60s, the Gloster Meteor will always hold its position in the history of aviation as the UK’s first operational jet fighter.

Visit The Meteor Homepage for further information.