Gloster Meteor NF Mk.12
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The Gloster Meteor NF Mk.12 was the second development of the Meteor night fighter, this time based around the American APS-21 radar (AI Mk.21 in RAF service). This new radar had twice the range of the AI Mk.10, and was able to detect larger bombers at 20 miles and fighters at 15 miles.
The new radar required another 17 inch extension to be made to the Meteor. The engines were upgraded to the Derwent 9, adding another 200lb of thrust. The first prototype, WD670, underwent tests at Boscombe Down in June-July 1952, which revealed a dangerous tendency for fin stalling at altitude. This was fixed by adding fillets above and below the tail “acorn” bullet, increasing the surface area of the fin. The first production aircraft took to the air on 21 April 1953. The first RAF unit to receive the type was No.238 Operational Conversion Unit, followed by No.85 Squadron in early 1954. A total of seven RAF squadrons used the NF Mk.12, but it was phased out by the end of 1959.
Engine: Two Rolls-Royce Derwent 9 engines
Thrust: 3,800lb/ 16.9kN each
Span: 43ft
Length: 49.9ft
Gross Weight: 17,223lb
Ceiling: 40,000ft
Armament: Four 20mm cannon in wings
Gloster Meteor, Britain's Celebrated First-Generation Jet, Phil Butler and Tony Buttler. This is a detailed, well illustrated and well written look at the development and service history of the Gloster Meteor, both in British and overseas hands. The book covers the development of the E.28/39, Britain's first jet aircraft and the development of the Meteor, looks in detail at the prototype aircraft, the various versions of the Meteor and its British and overseas service careers. [see more]
