Gloster Meteor WA591
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Gloster Meteor WA591
The Meteor was the first Allied jet to enter service in July 1944 although Nazi Germany was off the mark a little before with the better armed and quicker Messerschmitt Me262.
It is amazing to think the war had started 5 years earlier with biplanes and ended with jet fighters.
Although in action shooting down V1 missiles over the English Channel, Meteors could not fly over Occupied Europe for fear of one being shot down and reverse engineered by the Germans.
Amazing technology for its time, War has a habit of pushing the boundaries !!
Well captured, Ian. Though not a widely known fighter, I’ve heard it had been used in the Korean War too.
It’s a beautiful looking aircraft, captured so cleanly it could almost be a model. I must say Ian, I found this line slightly amusing:
"Meteors could not fly over Occupied Europe for fear of one being shot down and reverse engineered by the Germans"
Whether that was the case or not; as you mentioned the Germans had the ME262, they were also developing much more advanced aircraft such as the Horton Ho (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229) No prizes for guessing where the American stealth bomber design came from.
They were also developing other advanced jet aircraft such as the Junkers EF132, a super long range bomber (there is evidence to suggest they had a plan to use it to deliver nuclear bombs to New York. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_EF_132
Brilliant shot mate, Pin sharp.
A brilliant shot Ian – and what a great looking machine :-))
A total Classic Ian – beautifully captured too 🙂
it still looks good
Classic plane..Enjoying reading and learning something different..Great comment from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/nondesigner]
great plane Ian and great info as usual
take care
have a great week end
Nice clean captures Ian – I remember the history lessons talking about the jet and timing.
They sure made beautiful looking planes in those days.
Happy birthday to Lucy!
Crackin shot Ian , especially like the bottom one and its still a great sketch of a meteor on that wreckage ! and HB Lu!
terrific shot Ian
As always Ian, your photos are educational as well as brilliant!
Lovely shot, such a lovely looking thing.
great image, wonderful clarity and i love the feature framing – really adds to the sleek impression. i didn’t know that about them not being allowed over Occupied Europe, makes sense of course.
HB Lu!!
Lovely capture, so crisp and detailed – I agree, this really is a sleek looking plane, great lines beautiful design as well as function. Interesting perspective on the arms race too, from biplanes to jet fighters.
nice one – excellent work!
Wars do seem to accelerate the pace of technological change – not always for the better. But this is a fab looking aircraft and a great image.
Another cracking shot Ian – well done
it is well named, looks fantastic
Many thanks everyone, much appreciated. Not got much new to offer at present, so am rooting around for as yet unused shots.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nondesigner] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/25305713@N04] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/stopherjones] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/amybigkiss] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/angwickham] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/cachelog] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillwatson]
Thanks guys. Yeah, good comment Malcolm. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/nondesigner]
As we remember Neil Armstrong, the same technology which took him and Buzz Aldrin (and Michael Collins who remained in the orbiter) to the moon, we recall that it was Nazi V2 rocket technology that made the Saturn V rocket possible.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillwatson]
Thanks for the links Phill, very interesting. You are right, the Nazis were streets ahead with aviation technology – at least they had the ideas; ejector seats, guided missiles etc. But a combination of strictly top down management and the constant search for a new miracle weapon meant that thankfully they never got far with them. But the Allies didn’t know that at the time….
Two that did make it to operational status were the Me262 as mentioned and also the Arado Blitz (Ar234) jet bomber which flew at the same sort of height and speed as a modern airliner does today. They could fly over Allied territory with impunity. But they came too late in the day for the Nazis. I expect you are well familiar with the Ar234 but here’s a link anyway!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arado_Ar_234
Spectacular shot. Really clear. One of my favorites.
I dont know where Black Hill is, I must investigate.
Brilliant!
Great shot of a wonderful aircraft mate, fantastic to see this flying again. Dan Griffitths flew it at Duxford last year and stole the show with it (Sabre ran him close though!).
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/47353940@N04]
Great link thanks – interesting stuff!
Fab man.
Beautiful plane – beautiful light – ace photo!
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/janspencer]
Hi Jan, thank you. Black Hill is in the northern Peak District, south of Holmfirth. Though your comment was 2 days ago so you’ve probably got that sussed already.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjwatson] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianlayzellphotographs] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuant63] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/highy] Cheers chaps!
Nice shot Ian.
I was enjoying this very aircraft down at Dunsfold last weekend.
Love that drawing. Interesting info as always too! %-)
Great detail :~}
Perfect shot Ian, shows up the design a treat.
Back in 1978 I was a member of 1430 Air Training Squadron and myself and a few other cadets spent many hours removing the original paint from this plane! We did it to blag flights in Chipmunks! Saw it fly at at Southport airshow and to my amazement learned it was the same plane! Well done to everyone involved with this aircraft. Thank you
Love the Meteor. The best looking jet aircraft IMO.