“The Meteor NF.11 was the RAF’s primary night-fighter, considered to be very fast for its day, and it gave us all a gentle introduction to flying a jet fighter aircraft. It was responsive to commands when carrying out interceptions and speed changes …

Operational Meteor NF.14 of No. 264 Squadron RAF in 1955 As radar technology developed, a new Meteor night fighter was developed to use the improved US-built APS-21 system. The NF.12 first flew on 21 April 1953.

The Boulton Paul Defiant is a British interceptor aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II.

Gloster Meteor NF.11 WM167 / G-LOSM. Classic Air Force’s Gloster Meteor NF.11 is the only surviving Night Fighter Meteor left in airworthy condition and was one of the first privately owned jet fighters to operate in the UK. WM167 was built under licence from Gloster by the Armstrong Whitworth Company at Baginton (Coventry) airport in 1952.

Gloster Meteor NF.12 WS694, 153 Squadron, RAF: Written off 16 April 1956 - Flew into the ground immediately after a night take off from West Malling, Kent. Aircraft came down one and a half miles south of the airfield.

Nov 12, 2019 · At RAF West Malling the station began to specialise in night-fighter operations, with resident squadrons operating Defiant, Beaufighter and Havoc aircraft. The airfield established at West Malling, set in the Kent countryside, amidst the orchards and hop gardens in 1937.

NF Meteors: The RAF’s First Jet Night-Fighters. 31st January 2024. Armstrong Whitworth turned the Meteor from a simple day-fighter into one of the first radar-equipped all-weather jet interceptors. Doug Gordon remembers the career of the early night-fighter Meteors, the …

The de Havilland Mosquito NF.II was one of the early night-fighter variants of the versatile Mosquito, primarily serving Fighter Command during World War II. It was a twin-engine, two-crew night-fighter, based on the prototype W4052 and powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin XXI or 23-series engines , delivering impressive performance for its time.

Aircraft photo of WS774 - Gloster Meteor NF (T)14 - UK - Air Force, taken by R.A.Scholefield at Ely / RAF Hospital [ Off-Airport, gone ] in England, United Kingdom in June 1969. Built as a Meteor NF14 by Armstrong Whitworth in early 1954 and later modified as an NF (T)14 for use by No.1 Air Navigation School. Retired in June 1967.

The Welkin NF Mk II, a two-seat night fighter variant, introduced several key design modifications compared to its predecessor, the Welkin Mk I. The primary goal of these modifications was to accommodate a second crew member, radar equipment, and adapt the aircraft for night interception duties.