Difference between revisions of "Meteor F Mk.8 (France)"

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{{About
 
{{About
−
| about = Belgian jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| usage = other versions
 
| usage = other versions
 
| link = Meteor (Family)
 
| link = Meteor (Family)
Line 12: Line 12:
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].
 +
 +
Belgium built a fleet of around 240 Meteor F Mk.8 jet fighters, starting with an order of around thirty aircraft from Gloster Aircraft Company in 1949. A larger batch of Meteors was then ordered from production lines in the Netherlands, built by Fokker. Following the completion of that order, Fairey subsidiary Avions Fairey constructed around seventy aircraft locally in Gosselies, Belgium. These aircraft would constitute a large part of Belgium's jet fighter fleet and served until 1963.
 +
 +
This aircraft's camouflage represents Meteor F Mk.8 'EG224' of the Belgian Air Force, currently on display at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, Belgium.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 33: Line 37:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Upgraded
 
! Upgraded
−
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
+
| 976 || 962 || 22.0 || 23.0 || 48.0 || 40.2
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 111: Line 115:
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
 
 +
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front.
 +
* 12.7 mm Steel plate in the nose.
 +
* 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.
 +
* Critical components located at the front and wings of the aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
Line 141: Line 149:
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
The Meteor F Mk 8 (France) is a versatile platform for multiple tasks both in ground and air battles, featuring a competitive armament in air battles and tremendous firepower in ground battles. It is capable of dominating the air in air and ground battles.
 +
 
 +
'''When in air battles:'''
 +
 
 +
The Meteor has primarily 3 roles when it comes to air battles: fighter, attacker, bomber. At its br, the Meteor is one of the competitive jet section, not over exceeding in one side but not underperforming either.
 +
 
 +
'''As a fighter:'''
 +
 
 +
The Meteor is capable of being on par with many planes at its battle rating. Different from most other British fighters, but the same as the other Meteors and similar to the [[Swift F.1]], it has a Boom and Zoom role when it comes to fighting as it will not be able to turn fight like the [[Vampire FB 5]] or the [[Venom FB.4]]. It should be noted that the Meteor will not outrun most of the enemy jets encountered at its br unlike the Swift F.1. The pilot should maintain energy at all times since the acceleration is not great. When engaging heavier and bigger planes (like enemy attackers and bombers both player and AI) the pilot should always try to maintain either higher altitude than them to make Boom and Zoom or stay under their belly to take advantage of their weakspots ([[Tu-4]] and [[B-29A-BN|B-29]] are the exceptions for belly attacks as they have ventral turrets).
 +
 
 +
'''As an attacker:'''
 +
 
 +
The ordnance the Meteor carries is enough to do some ground striking, destroying pillboxes, enemy tanks, artillery outposts, anti air emplacements, etc. There is no rule on which armament the attacker should use, it all depends on the pilot's discretion, map, battle rating, etc. It is recommended to use ground targets belts due to the AP ammunition but universal belts may be enough to deal with light armoured vehicles and light pillboxes, leaving the ordnance for heavier and more armoured threats.
 +
 
 +
'''When in ground battles:'''
 +
 
 +
The Meteor has only 1 role in ground battles primarily (superiority fighter can be used but it is not recommended to do so), Close Air Support (CAS). The variety of ordnance is enough to be used in all situations depending on the pilot's discretion. RP-3 are launched in pairs (or in salvo depending on the pilots discretion and rocket settings) and will disable or destroy even the heaviest armour encountered with a couple of rockets. The con of rockets is that they are hard to aim, practice will be required.  
 +
 
 +
When it comes to just the 20 mm cannons, it should be noted that most vehicles the Meteor will encounter ([[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]], [[BMP-2]], etc) will have a poorly armoured roof which the armour-piercing shells will penetrate. Heavier targets ([[ZTZ59D1|ZTZ-59D1]], [[T-62]], [[T-10M]]) will only be able to be killed with suspended ordnance as they will not be able to penetrate the roof.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
−
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
 
−
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
*
+
* Engines are a massive improvement over previous models, with high speed and acceleration rates compared
 +
* Great at turning below 650 km/h
 +
* Good climb rate
 +
* Controllable roll rate
 +
* Able to carry RP-3 (unlike other Meteors)
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
*
+
* Hispano Mk V cannons have poor accuracy
 +
* Wing controls tend to lose control ability at higher speeds
 +
* Limited visibility out of the rear of the cockpit
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+
 
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
+
Following the establishment of the Belgian Air Force in 1946, its day fighter units originally standardised on the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV. However, developments in military aviation made it clear that propeller-driven fighter types such as the Spitfire were verging on the edge of obsolete, and as early as 1947 the Belgian government expressed its interest in jet-powered fighter types. Following the evaluation and demonstration of both the Gloster Meteor and De Havilland Vampire at the Melsbroek Air Base in 1947, the former was selected to replace the Spitfires of the Belgian Air Force's no. 1 Wing at Beauvechain, with 48 Meteor F.4s (Belgian serials EF-1 to EF-48) being ordered on March 23rd 1949 to equip the Wing's squadrons, Nos. 349 and 350 Squadrons (16 aircraft each), with the balance initially being stored as attrition replacements before the decision was taken to use the aircraft to establish an additional squadron within the 1st Wing (No. 4 Squadron).
 +
 
 +
In April of 1948, Belgium became a co-signatory to the Western Union Defence Organisation, and as part of its defence commitments, a profound expansion of the Belgian Air Force was proposed, with its expansion to 12 day fighter and 3 night fighter squadrons. To fulfill these commitments, it was proposed to purchase no less than 288 Meteor day fighters - enough to equip 12 squadrons with 16 aircraft each (or 192 aircraft in total), as well as establishing a 'war reserve' of 50% (or 96 additional aircraft). Following the initial order of 48 Meteor F.4s, a series of follow-up orders was placed for the improved F.8 variant.
 +
 
 +
The initial order of Belgian Meteor F.8s was made in 1949, consisting of 23 aircraft diverted from an RAF order (Belgian serials EG-201 to 223) for service with 350 Squadron; these were followed by an order of 145 aircraft which would be built under license by Fokker at Schiphol Airport (Belgian serials EG-1 to EG-145) as well as an additional five ex-RAF Meteors overhauled by Fokker (Belgian serials EG-146 to EG-150). In addition, Gloster agreed to deliver 37 knock-down kits to Fairey Aviation for assembly at Gosselies (Belgian serials EG-224 to EG-260); Fokker in turn delivered an additional 30 Fokker-produced knock-down kits to Fairey Aviation for further assembly (Belgian serials EG-151 to 180).
 +
 
 +
Deliveries of the Meteor F.8s to the Belgian Air Force started in November of 1950, initially consisting of the diverted RAF order (November 1950 to February 1951); with deliveries of the Fokker-built Meteors commencing a month later (December 1950 to October 1954). The five additional ex-RAF Meteors were delivered in October 1951; and deliveries of Fairey-built Meteors commenced in August of 1952, lasting until October 1954. This steady stream of new aircraft allowed not only for the Belgian Air Force's existing day fighter squadrons to convert to the type, but also for a whole host of new squadrons to be established. Between 1949 and 1958, the 1st Wing at Beauvechain (349, 350 and 4 Squadron, all ex-Spitfire); 7th Wing at Chièvres (7, 8 and 9 Squadron, newly established in 1950); 13th Wing at Brustem (25, 29 and 33 Squadron, newly established in 1953); and 9th Wing at Bierset (22, 26 and 30 Squadron, all ex-Thunderjet); and the Fighter School, Target Tow Flight and 24 Squadron at Koksijde all flew the Meteor F.8; in addition, the 11th Squadron at Beauvechain, even though it was an All-Weather Squadron equipped with the Meteor NF.11 night-fighter variant, also kept a number of Meteor F.8s to allow its pilots to maintain their flying hours.
 +
 
 +
With the delivery of the Hunter F.4 from June 1956 onwards, the 1st, 7th and 9th Wing would quickly cede their Meteors; while the 13th Wing and 24th Squadron would be disbanded in 1958, leaving only the Fighter School and Target Tow Flight as the Belgian Air Force's sole remaining Meteor units. The latter unit disbanded on November 8th 1963, marking the end of 14 years of Gloster Meteor service in the Belgian Air Force.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 167: Line 205:
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
  
−
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
+
;Related development
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[Meteor (Family)]]
 +
** [[Meteor F Mk 8 G.41K]]
 +
** [[Meteor F Mk.8 Reaper]]
 +
** [[Meteor F.8 (Israel)]]
 +
 
 +
;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
 +
 
 +
* [[File:Germany flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Me 262 (Family)]]
 +
* [[File:USSR flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Su-9]] / [[Su-11]]
 +
* [[File:IJN flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Kikka]]
 +
* [[File:USA flag.png|30px|link=]] [[F9F (Family)]]
 +
* [[File:USA flag.png|30px|link=]] [[F-80A-5]] / [[F-80C-10|C-10]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
Line 179: Line 228:
 
* [[wt:en/news/8919-development-dutch-and-belgian-aircraft-are-joining-the-french-tree-en|[Devblog] Dutch and Belgian Aircraft are Joining the French Tree!]]
 
* [[wt:en/news/8919-development-dutch-and-belgian-aircraft-are-joining-the-french-tree-en|[Devblog] Dutch and Belgian Aircraft are Joining the French Tree!]]
 
* [https://www.belgian-wings.be/gloster-meteor-f-8-basis <nowiki>[Belgian Wings]</nowiki> Gloster Meteor F.8]
 
* [https://www.belgian-wings.be/gloster-meteor-f-8-basis <nowiki>[Belgian Wings]</nowiki> Gloster Meteor F.8]
 +
* https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gloster_Meteor_F.8_%E2%80%98EG224_-_K5-K%E2%80%99_%2834339076780%29.jpg
 +
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avions_Fairey
  
 
{{AirManufacturer Gloster}}
 
{{AirManufacturer Gloster}}
 
{{France jet aircraft}}
 
{{France jet aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 06:03, 13 October 2024

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
This page is about the jet fighter Meteor F Mk.8 (France). For other versions, see Meteor (Family).
▄Meteor F Mk.8
meteor_fmk8_belgium.png
GarageImage Meteor F Mk.8 (France).jpg
▄Meteor F Mk.8
France flag.png France
V Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
7.7 8.0 8.0
Class:
Research:120 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:340 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The ▄Meteor F Mk.8 is a rank V French jet fighter with a battle rating of 7.7 (AB) and 8.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Seek & Destroy".

Belgium built a fleet of around 240 Meteor F Mk.8 jet fighters, starting with an order of around thirty aircraft from Gloster Aircraft Company in 1949. A larger batch of Meteors was then ordered from production lines in the Netherlands, built by Fokker. Following the completion of that order, Fairey subsidiary Avions Fairey constructed around seventy aircraft locally in Gosselies, Belgium. These aircraft would constitute a large part of Belgium's jet fighter fleet and served until 1963.

This aircraft's camouflage represents Meteor F Mk.8 'EG224' of the Belgian Air Force, currently on display at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, Belgium.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 100 m962 km/h
Turn time23 s
Max altitude12 500 m
Engine2 х Rolls-Royce Derwent 8
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight8 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 100 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 922 895 12500 24.1 24.7 33.3 31.5 325
Upgraded 976 962 22.0 23.0 48.0 40.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
999 390 495 462 290 ~11 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 560 < 600 < 620 -

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 2 5,496 kg 216 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Gross
Weight
Weight (each) Type 7m fuel 20m fuel 23m fuel
443 kg Centrifugal-flow turbojet 5,953 kg 6,796 kg 7,020 kg 7,511 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition 100% WEP 7m fuel 20m fuel 23m fuel MGW
Stationary 1,633 kgf - 0.55 0.48 0.47 0.43
Optimal 1,633 kgf
(0 km/h) 		- 0.55 0.48 0.47 0.43

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear390 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front.
  • 12.7 mm Steel plate in the nose.
  • 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.
  • Critical components located at the front and wings of the aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 331 → 4 743 Sl icon.png
RB9 354 → 13 320 Sl icon.png
SB11 949 → 17 015 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications102 400 Rp icon.png
162 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training98 000 Sl icon.png
Experts340 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 800 Ge icon.png
Research Aces780 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 380 / 600 % Sl icon.png
202 / 202 / 202 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
27 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
17 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
27 000 Sl icon.png
640 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
16 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
GRC mk.8
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
280 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_mk5_new_gun
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)

The Meteor F Mk.8 (France) is armed with:

  • 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, nose-mounted (200 rpg upper + 190 rpg lower = 780 total)

Suspended armament

Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.

Default weapon presets
  • 3 x 100 gal external tanks
  • 8 x RP-3 rockets

Usage in battles

The Meteor F Mk 8 (France) is a versatile platform for multiple tasks both in ground and air battles, featuring a competitive armament in air battles and tremendous firepower in ground battles. It is capable of dominating the air in air and ground battles.

When in air battles:

The Meteor has primarily 3 roles when it comes to air battles: fighter, attacker, bomber. At its br, the Meteor is one of the competitive jet section, not over exceeding in one side but not underperforming either.

As a fighter:

The Meteor is capable of being on par with many planes at its battle rating. Different from most other British fighters, but the same as the other Meteors and similar to the Swift F.1, it has a Boom and Zoom role when it comes to fighting as it will not be able to turn fight like the Vampire FB 5 or the Venom FB.4. It should be noted that the Meteor will not outrun most of the enemy jets encountered at its br unlike the Swift F.1. The pilot should maintain energy at all times since the acceleration is not great. When engaging heavier and bigger planes (like enemy attackers and bombers both player and AI) the pilot should always try to maintain either higher altitude than them to make Boom and Zoom or stay under their belly to take advantage of their weakspots (Tu-4 and B-29 are the exceptions for belly attacks as they have ventral turrets).

As an attacker:

The ordnance the Meteor carries is enough to do some ground striking, destroying pillboxes, enemy tanks, artillery outposts, anti air emplacements, etc. There is no rule on which armament the attacker should use, it all depends on the pilot's discretion, map, battle rating, etc. It is recommended to use ground targets belts due to the AP ammunition but universal belts may be enough to deal with light armoured vehicles and light pillboxes, leaving the ordnance for heavier and more armoured threats.

When in ground battles:

The Meteor has only 1 role in ground battles primarily (superiority fighter can be used but it is not recommended to do so), Close Air Support (CAS). The variety of ordnance is enough to be used in all situations depending on the pilot's discretion. RP-3 are launched in pairs (or in salvo depending on the pilots discretion and rocket settings) and will disable or destroy even the heaviest armour encountered with a couple of rockets. The con of rockets is that they are hard to aim, practice will be required.

When it comes to just the 20 mm cannons, it should be noted that most vehicles the Meteor will encounter (Leopard 1, XM-1, BMP-2, etc) will have a poorly armoured roof which the armour-piercing shells will penetrate. Heavier targets (ZTZ-59D1, T-62, T-10M) will only be able to be killed with suspended ordnance as they will not be able to penetrate the roof.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Engines are a massive improvement over previous models, with high speed and acceleration rates compared
  • Great at turning below 650 km/h
  • Good climb rate
  • Controllable roll rate
  • Able to carry RP-3 (unlike other Meteors)

Cons:

  • Hispano Mk V cannons have poor accuracy
  • Wing controls tend to lose control ability at higher speeds
  • Limited visibility out of the rear of the cockpit

History

Following the establishment of the Belgian Air Force in 1946, its day fighter units originally standardised on the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV. However, developments in military aviation made it clear that propeller-driven fighter types such as the Spitfire were verging on the edge of obsolete, and as early as 1947 the Belgian government expressed its interest in jet-powered fighter types. Following the evaluation and demonstration of both the Gloster Meteor and De Havilland Vampire at the Melsbroek Air Base in 1947, the former was selected to replace the Spitfires of the Belgian Air Force's no. 1 Wing at Beauvechain, with 48 Meteor F.4s (Belgian serials EF-1 to EF-48) being ordered on March 23rd 1949 to equip the Wing's squadrons, Nos. 349 and 350 Squadrons (16 aircraft each), with the balance initially being stored as attrition replacements before the decision was taken to use the aircraft to establish an additional squadron within the 1st Wing (No. 4 Squadron).

In April of 1948, Belgium became a co-signatory to the Western Union Defence Organisation, and as part of its defence commitments, a profound expansion of the Belgian Air Force was proposed, with its expansion to 12 day fighter and 3 night fighter squadrons. To fulfill these commitments, it was proposed to purchase no less than 288 Meteor day fighters - enough to equip 12 squadrons with 16 aircraft each (or 192 aircraft in total), as well as establishing a 'war reserve' of 50% (or 96 additional aircraft). Following the initial order of 48 Meteor F.4s, a series of follow-up orders was placed for the improved F.8 variant.

The initial order of Belgian Meteor F.8s was made in 1949, consisting of 23 aircraft diverted from an RAF order (Belgian serials EG-201 to 223) for service with 350 Squadron; these were followed by an order of 145 aircraft which would be built under license by Fokker at Schiphol Airport (Belgian serials EG-1 to EG-145) as well as an additional five ex-RAF Meteors overhauled by Fokker (Belgian serials EG-146 to EG-150). In addition, Gloster agreed to deliver 37 knock-down kits to Fairey Aviation for assembly at Gosselies (Belgian serials EG-224 to EG-260); Fokker in turn delivered an additional 30 Fokker-produced knock-down kits to Fairey Aviation for further assembly (Belgian serials EG-151 to 180).

Deliveries of the Meteor F.8s to the Belgian Air Force started in November of 1950, initially consisting of the diverted RAF order (November 1950 to February 1951); with deliveries of the Fokker-built Meteors commencing a month later (December 1950 to October 1954). The five additional ex-RAF Meteors were delivered in October 1951; and deliveries of Fairey-built Meteors commenced in August of 1952, lasting until October 1954. This steady stream of new aircraft allowed not only for the Belgian Air Force's existing day fighter squadrons to convert to the type, but also for a whole host of new squadrons to be established. Between 1949 and 1958, the 1st Wing at Beauvechain (349, 350 and 4 Squadron, all ex-Spitfire); 7th Wing at Chièvres (7, 8 and 9 Squadron, newly established in 1950); 13th Wing at Brustem (25, 29 and 33 Squadron, newly established in 1953); and 9th Wing at Bierset (22, 26 and 30 Squadron, all ex-Thunderjet); and the Fighter School, Target Tow Flight and 24 Squadron at Koksijde all flew the Meteor F.8; in addition, the 11th Squadron at Beauvechain, even though it was an All-Weather Squadron equipped with the Meteor NF.11 night-fighter variant, also kept a number of Meteor F.8s to allow its pilots to maintain their flying hours.

With the delivery of the Hunter F.4 from June 1956 onwards, the 1st, 7th and 9th Wing would quickly cede their Meteors; while the 13th Wing and 24th Squadron would be disbanded in 1958, leaving only the Fighter School and Target Tow Flight as the Belgian Air Force's sole remaining Meteor units. The latter unit disbanded on November 8th 1963, marking the end of 14 years of Gloster Meteor service in the Belgian Air Force.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

External links


Gloster Aircraft Company, Limited
Fighters  Gladiator Mk II · Sea Gladiator Mk I · Gladiator Mk IIF · Gladiator Mk IIS · Tuck's Gladiator Mk II
Jet Fighters  Meteor F Mk 3 · Sea Meteor F Mk 3 · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41F · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41G · Meteor F Mk 8 G.41K · Meteor F Mk.8 Reaper
  Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9
Export  J8A · Iacobi's J8A · ␗Gladiator Mk I · ▄Gladiator Mk I
  ▄Meteor F Mk.8 · Meteor F.8 · Meteor NF.13
See Also  Fokker

France jet aircraft
Fighters  M.D.450B Ouragan · M.D.450B Barougan · M.D.452 IIA · M.D.452 IIC · Mystere IVA · Super Mystere B2
  ▄F-86K · ▄F-100D · ▄F-8E(FN)
  Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · Milan · Mirage 5F · Mirage 2000C-S4 · Mirage 2000C-S5 · Mirage 2000-5F · Mirage 4000
  Mirage F1C · Mirage F1C-200 · Mirage F1CT
Strike aircraft  ▄F-84F · F-84F IAF · ▄F-84G-26-RE
  Etendard IVM · Super Etendard · Alpha Jet E
  Jaguar A · Jaguar E · Mirage 2000D-R1 · Mirage 2000D-RMV
Bombers  S.O.4050 Vautour IIA · Vautour IIA IDF/AF · S.O.4050 Vautour IIB · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN (late)
Belgium  ▄Meteor F Mk.8 · ▄Mirage 5BA · ▄F-104G · ▄F-16A · ▄F-16AM
Netherlands  ◘Sea Hawk Mk.50 · ◘Hunter F.6

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