Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA35001
Gloster Meteor F.Mk 8 Diecast Model
RAF No.500 Sqn, RAF West Malling, England |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Gloster Meteor F.Mk 8 | | 6.75" | | 7.25" |
The Gloster Metor was not only the first jet aircraft to go into squadron service with the Royal Air Force, but also the only Allied jet aircraft to see action in the second World War. The first squadron of Meteors was just in time to join piston-engined fighters in their fight against the flying-bombs in 1944. Design on the Meteor began in 1940, was folloed by eight prototypes and a production contract for 20 aircraft. The first Meteor flew on 5 March 1943, following the successful trials of the Gloster E28/39 'Whittle Jet' two years earlier. From the Mk.1, the Meteor was developed into various fighter, trainer and reconnaissance variants, but it was the Mark 8 that bacame the most successful and prolific. From 1950 to 1955 the Meteor F.8 was the major type of single-seat day interceptor in sevice with Fighter Command of the RAF. It was developed from the F.Mk.4 and had updated Rolls-Royce 3,6001b Derwent engines, a modified cockpit plus an ejector seat and was armed with four 20mm guns in the nose. The first Meteor F.8 made its initial flight on 12 October 1948 and soon became known by fighter pilots as the 'Meatbox'. The Meteor F.8 equipped nineteen front line RAF squadrons and ten squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, including No.500 (Country of Kent) Squadron at West Malling in Kent, who had previously operated the Meteor F.3 and F.4. The RAF's Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons converted to the F.Mk8 in 1952 and operated them until 1957, when a foolish decision was made to disband the Royal Auxiliary Air Forces, but No.500 disbanded earlier on 10 March 19533. WF714 had a landinq accident whilst with the squadron on summer camp at Malta in early 1953. Designed as a turbojet-powered fighter in a time when piston-engined aircraft still dominated the skies, the Gloster Meteor first flew on March 5, 1943. The Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the only Allied jet aircraft to see service during WWII. It debuted around the same time as the German Me 262, but was not used for dogfighting-instead, Meteors were used to combat the V1 Flying Bomb. The Meteor's service during WWII was limited, but it saw combat during the Korean War and was used by the Royal Australian Air Force and by the Air Forces of more than a dozen other nations until its ultimate retirement in the 1970s. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. Corgi's 1:72 scale Meteor series includes both early and late variants of the F. Mk 8. The early F 8 variant features longer engine nacelles and obstructed visibility behind the pilot, with the later featuring shorter engine nacelles with a larger intake and a full canopy. Four 20mm cannon guns—the aircraft's main weapons—are visible just below the cockpit. Some releases include rockets mounted under the outer wings, and some include a ventral mounted fuel tank with under-wing tanks. The stout metal landing gear with splash guard fenders are easy to install for ground display. © Copyright 2003-2017 The Flying Mule, Inc. The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored. Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature: - Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. |
