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The Gloster Meteor FR Mk.9 was a low level fighter-reconnaissance version of the Meteor Mk.8. An early attempt to produce a reconnaissance aircraft (the FR.Mk.5) ended when that aircraft was destroyed in a crash. The Mk.9 was given a modified nose, making it nine inches longer than the Mk.8. The new nose had three camera windows, which allowed oblique and forward photography, and contained a F.24 camera, remotely controlled by the pilot. The FR Mk.9 retained its four 20mm cannon.
The FR Mk.9 made its first flight on 22 March 1950 (one week before the PR Mk.10), and production aircraft began to reach the squadrons in July 1950. No.208 Squadron, based at Fayid Air Base, Egypt, was the first to use it. The majority of the 127 Mk.9s produced served in Germany, the Middle East and the Far East. Detachments from No.208 squadron saw action in Cyprus and Aden in 1956, and the type was also used from Aden between 1958 and 1960. It was also exported in small numbers to Ecuador, Israel and Syria.
Engine: Two Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 engines
Thrust: 3,500lb/15.6kN each
Span: 37.2ft
Length: 44.6ft
Gross Weight: 15,770lb
Maximum level speed at sea level: 592mph
Maximum level speed at 30,000ft: 550mph
Rate of climb at sea level: 7,000ft/ min
Ceiling: 44,000ft
Armament: Four 20mm cannon in nose and two 1,000lb bombs or sixteen 90lb rocket projectiles under the wings