The Meteor at War

616 Squadron Royal Auxilary Air Force was the first operational Meteor Squadron. It took delivery of its first Meteors in May/ June 1944 and became operational in July. Initially deployed against V1 flying bombs ("Divers") they scored their first victory on 4th August when Flg Officer "Dixie" Dean intercepted a V1 near Tunbridge Wells. He initially tried to shoot down the flying bomb with cannons but when they failed to fire, he flew up alongside and tipped it over and out of control with his wingtip. Before the allies overran the launch sites in France a further 12 victories would be scored.

"Meteoric Victory" a painting by Tom Marchant

Korea
The next major engagement for the Meteor was in Korea with 77 Squadron RAAF. While outperformed by the Mig 15 especially at altitude they did succeed in destroying three Mig's in combat and were credited with large numbers of buildings, bridges and vehicles destroyed in ground-attack missons, a role to which the Meteor was well suited. The RAAF took delivery of 93 former RAF Meteor F8's, most of these aircraft were modified to carry a radio compass with its antenna on the spine of the aircraft. Following the end of the Korean war the remaining Meteors were shipped back to Australia where they served out their remaining days as training aircraft.

Sqn Ldr Richard Cresswell briefing 77 Sqn for a mission (RAAF Official)

Taxiing out for a rocket strike (RAAF Official)

Other Wars
Following the Korean conflict Meteors also saw action in small numbers in Argentina's civil war where they were used by both pro and anti-Peron forces. They also saw action with both Egypt & Israel in the Suez conflict with one IAF Meteors being credited with the destruction of two Egyptian Airforce Vampires and a futher aircraft Vampire damaged. IAF Meteors also took part in many ground attack missions during the Suez campaign.