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Armstrong Whitworth Meteor

The Meteor was the Royal Air Force’s first jet fighter. It entered service in 1944.

The Meteor at the National Museum of Flight is a night-fighter version, with two seats and a longer nose to house the radar.

The Ferranti Flying Unit, based at Edinburgh Airport, used it to test radar equipment and to transport company personnel. The paint scheme of white with a red stripe led to the aircraft being nicknamed ‘Mentadent’ after the brand of toothpaste.

Meteor fact file

Date:    1953
Mark: NF.14
Crew: 2 (pilot, navigator)
Top speed:  578 mph (925 km/h)
Range: 950 miles (1,520 km)
Weapons: 4 x 20mm Hispano cannons (none fitted to this aircraft)

Armstrong Whitworth Meteor

Cockpit view

Meteor cockpit

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