1/72 Airfix Gloster Meteor F8 Fighter 4064 (new tool)

The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' only operational jet aircraft during the Second World War.

The Meteor's development was heavily reliant on its ground-breaking turbojet engines, pioneered by Sir Frank Whittle and his company, Power Jets Ltd. Development of the aircraft itself began in 1940, although work on the engines had been under way since 1936.

The Meteor first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with No. 616 Squadron RAF. The Meteor was not a sophisticated aircraft in its aerodynamics, but proved to be a successful combat fighter.

Several major variants of the Meteor incorporated technological advances during the 1940s and 1950s. Thousands of Meteors were built to fly with the RAF and other air forces and remained in use for several decades. The Meteor saw limited action in the Second World War.

Three varied marking options are offered:

• Meteor F.8 WF714, 500 Squadron (County of Kent), Royal Auxiliary Air Force, RAF West Mailing, Kent, England, May 1953. This aircraft is finished in overall High Speed Silver paint with colourful tail and fuselage markings.
• Meteor F.8 WL184 "X", 74 (F) Squadron, RAF Horsham St Faith, Norfolk, England, July 1955. This aircraft is finished in High Speed Silver paint on the lower surfaces and Dark Green / Dark Sea Grey on the upper surfaces with the "Tiger Markings" of 74 Squadron.
• Meteor F.8 EG10 "MN-S", 350 Squadron, Belgian Air Force, Belgium, early 1950s. This aircraft is finished in overall High Speed Silver paint with Belgian Air Force markings.

102 parts in medium grey injection molded plastic

9 parts in clear plastic