1/32 Gloster Meteor F.8

The Gloster Meteor was the first jet aircraft to enter operational service with the Allied forces during World War II, and the F.8 variant represents its ultimate combat form. It entered RAF service in 1950 as a standard day fighter and quickly became the backbone of British jet aviation in the early years of the Cold War. Compared to previous versions, the F.8 brought an improved tailplane, a more powerful Derwent 8 engine and an upgraded cockpit with a Martin-Baker Mk.2E ejection seat - a detail that Revell carefully captured in their model. In total, over 1,000 were produced, with the aircraft serving not only with the RAF but also with a number of Allied air forces.

The most dramatic chapter of the Meteor F.8's career remains the Korean War. Australia's 77 Squadron of the RAAF switched from propeller-driven Mustangs to Meteors in 1951 and was one of the few units outside the RAF to deploy them in direct combat. Clashes with Soviet MiG-15s showed that the straight-wing Meteor could not compete with the Arrow machines for altitude and speed, and the squadron therefore switched primarily to direct ground support and attack missions. Nevertheless, 77 Squadron RAAF earned respect in Korea and its Meteors are among the best known combat deployments of this type.

The Belgian Air Force (BAF) operated F.8 Meteors as the lead fighter aircraft in NATO's defence of Europe. Some of the aircraft later moved into support roles - including the so-called Target Towing Flight (TTF), where they served as towing aircraft for gunnery training. These machines used to be painted with distinctive warning stripes or contrasting surfaces so that they could be easily identified during practice firing.

Revell's 1:32 scale kit is an entirely new form that brings a level of detail to match this large scale. The two Derwent turbine engines can be assembled as removable and displayed alongside the fuselage, or built into the nacelles - ideal for dioramas depicting airfield maintenance. The three decorations on offer cover three different operators and three different visual forms: the British camouflage pattern of the 41st RAF Squadron, the naturally metallic paintwork of the Australian Meteors from Korea and the Belgian colour scheme. This gives the modeler the opportunity to choose the story he wants to tell with his model. The package does not include the paints or glues needed for assembly.