THE GLOSTER METEOR

This magnificent book, which contains black and white photographs and profiles ( including one in colour ), is about the very first R.A.F. jetfighter that was built and became operational during the Second World War.

In August, 1939, Great Britain stood on the brink of war with Germany for the second time in 25 years. While the British nation waited for what it considered to be the inevitable, preparations for re - arming the Army, Navy and Air Forces were stepped up. Among the hundreds of factories humming with activity was that of the Gloster Aircraft Company at Brockworth, busy with the production of the Gloster Gladiator and Hawker Hurricane fighters.
The design department under the direction of chief designer Mr W.G. Carter, was working all - out on the development of a twin - boom fighter project powered by a single Napier Sabre piston engine driving a pusher airscrew. A visitor to the Gloster factory at this time was a Flight Lieutenant F. ( he retired as Air Commodore Sir Frank ) Whittle, pioneer in jet propulsion...

Edward Shacklady is an author of aviation books such as Spitfire : The History ( with Eric B. Morgan, 1987 ), Hawker Hurricane ( 2000 ) and Butcher Bird : The Focke - Wulf Fw 190 ( 2003 ).
( source : Internet )