Gloster Meteor

"Meteor: The Ultimate Profile" is the story of the Gloster Meteor, the first jet aircraft flown by the Allies during the WWII and follows it's development from the drawing board through it's service with the RAF to ejection-testing work with Martin-Baker today. Highlights include exclusive colour film of jet pioneer Sir Frank Whittle, the E28/39 Pioneer prototype and 616 Squadron Meteors at war. Other highlights include much never before seen material, exclusive interviews with surviving members of 616 Squadron and Martin-Bakers chief test pilot Bob Thompson.

The book follows the format of previous books in the series. There are 5 brief chapters describing the design, development, and service history of the Meteor. One of the chapters, by Rudy Binnemans, details the Meteor in Belgian service. This is an interesting way to work in research by others that this series uses often. Then there are 8 pages of very well done color profiles, 5 per page. Plastic model kit reviews follow. There is then a very useful section describing the differences between the various Meteor models. Then there are 17 pages reproduced from contemporary technical manuals detailing various Meteor features. Then there are 5 pages of artwork detailing the cockpits of the various Meteor marks, 14 pages up close color photos of preserved Meteors. Particularly interesting was some detailed shots of the experimental prone pilot cockpit. The last chapter describes the camouflage and markings carried by the Meteor throughout its career with the RAF and other air arms. Outstanding in this chapter is the 2 page spread of RAF squadron markings which made a comeback in the 1950s. The book finishes with a number of very useful appendices. They include for the modeller lists of kits, accessories, and decals. For the general enthusiast there are appendices with specifications of the various Meteor variants, the Meteor family tree, foreign operators, production details, service squadrons, and an extensive bibliography. In the rear there are 8 pages with Meteor lines drawings to 1/72nd scale.