Gloster F9/40 DG202 (Prototype Meteor)
Gloster F9/40 DG202 (Prototype Meteor) |
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| Date | Notes |
| 7th Feb 1941 | 12 prototype F.9/40 'Gloster-Whittle' twin-jet interceptors ordered by the Ministry of Aircraft Production (Unofficially known as the Rampage at this time). Only eight prototypes were built each with different engines. |
| Feb 1942 | Type allocated the name "Meteor" by the Ministry of Aircraft Production. |
| 26th June 1942 | Wing stiffness tests completed |
| 27th June 1942 | Fuel flow tests completed. Painted and weighed |
| 29th June 1942 | First ground run at Gloster's Bentham factory with derated 1,000 lb Rover built W.2B/23 engines. They were not passed for flight because of unreliable turbine blades. |
| 2nd July 1942 | To RAF Newmarket Heath near Cambridge with outer wings removed fro ground running trials |
| 10th July 1942 | Taxiing trials started on the 9,000 foot Newmarket Heath strip with Flt Lt P.E.G. 'Gerry' Sayer at the controls. These included two attempted take-offs; at the second attempt the aircraft left the ground for a short hop about six feet off the ground after a 1100 yard run. Taxiing suspended due to undercarriage problems. |
| 18th July 1942 | Taxiing trials resumed after Hawker Typhoon wheels and tyres fitted. |
| August 1942 | Taxying trials completed by the middle of the month and ground only engines removed awaiting delayed delivery of new W.2/500 engines from Rover. |
| 22nd May 1943 | By road to RAF Barford St. John aerodrome near Banbury, Oxon. The aircraft then stood idle for two months undergoing various modifications and was also robbed of many items for use on other Meteor prototypes. |
| 24th July 1943 | First flight from Barford St. John of six minutes. Flown by Glosters' chief test pilot, Michael Daunt. Powered by Rolls-Royce W.2B/23s, later to be known as the Welland. Painted in matt dark green and ocean grey camouflage on the upper surfaces with yellow undersides and yellow 'prototype' marking aft of the fuselage roundel plus sky painted rear fuselage fighter band. |
| 26th July 1943 | 27 minute flight by John Crosby-Warren. Flown on three successive days at the end of the month to check engine handling, gearbox oil temperatures and aileron characteristics, accumulating 117 minutes flight time and a maximum altitude of 29,000 feet. |
| 18th August 1943 | Tailplane/fin acorn fairing added, grounded at Barford St John awaiting new B.23 engines which arrived on 30 September. Ready fro flight again 12th October. |
| 17th October 1943 | Moved to Moreton Valence for continuation of flight trials on new hardened runway, Barford St John was to be closed. |
| 6th November 1943 | Flown by Michael Daunt to Rolls Royce at Hucknall for development trials with the Welland W2B/23c engines. Completed 25 hours testing at Hucknall and Church Broughton on engine surge, re-starts in the air and fuel consumption tests. |
| Jan 1944 | Returned to Glosters for a complete overhaul, Returned to Rolls Royce at Balderton on the 10th March. |
28 Apr 44 Following tests, transferred to Church Broughton for further development flying.
13 Dec 44 Port engine exploded during take-off causing considerable damage to the nacelle, centre section and outer wing panel. The aircraft had flown some 367 flying hours by this date.
5 Jan 45 Aircraft rebuilt and modified at Moreton Valence, to where it was delivered by road. Repairs complete 14th May 1945.
11 Aug 45 Flown to Abbotsinch by Eric Greenwood, Glosters new chief test pilot for sea trials. Dismantled and taken by road to the Clyde and transferred to HMS Pretoria Castle by lighter following reassembly. While on board engine running, taxiing and deck handling trials were carried out to test the suitability of jet aircraft for carrier work. Trials were completed by 26th August and proved that there were no problems handling jet aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier.
11 Sep 45 Aircraft allocated for storage with Glosters at Moreton Valance, Glos.
17 Dec 45 Allotted instructional serial 5758M with School of Aeronautical Engineering (Officers), RAF Henlow, Beds. Possibly not delivered.
7 Feb 46 Allotted to No.5 School of Technical Training at RAF Locking, Somerset,
becoming 5758M. Taken on charge 25th April 1946.
Jan 51 At No.2 Radio School at RAF Yatesbury, Wilts by this date for continued
ground training use.
Mar 58 Refurbished for display at the main gate under the direction of G/C M.L.Gaine,
C.O. of RAF Yatesbury prior to a AOC's inspection. Repainted silver overall
with the maintenance serial 5758M on rear fuselage but lacked engines.
Jun 58 By this date the prototype marking and original serial DG202 were carried after they were discovered during preperation for repainting. The authorities were alerted by a former Dowty employee who realised the aircraft's historical significance. Two Welland engines were found at Cosford and the aircraft was fully refurbished by RAF Yatesbury.
Nov 61 Replaced on Yatesbury gate by Venom NF Mk 3 WX905 until camp closed
in 1962. Remained stored in the open at Yatesbury for some time.
1965 Transferred to RAF Cosford as part of the Air Historical Branch Collection. Occasionally displayed at 'Battle of Britain ' open days at RAF Gaydon, Warwicks in the late 1960s. The aircraft remains on display at The Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford
Oct 98 Survey, partial stripping and restoration work of engines and airframe underway at Cosford. Photo - Aeroplane Monthly Jan 1999 p.9.
