Israel Day 5 - IAF Museum - The Meteors Of The Early Jet Age

One of the earliest jet fighters adopted by the IAF was the Gloster Meteor.

The Meteor was the Allies first jet fighter and the only allied jet to see combat in World War 2.

While Mezeks, Spitfires, and Mustangs got Israel through the War of Independence, the Israelis knew they needed to modernize and get jet technology.

Israel acquired the The Gloster Meteor in 1953, and had four squadrons flying the jet.

On 1 September 1955, in the first Jet-on-Jet Combat to take place in Middle East history, an Israeli Meteor shot down an Egyptian de Havilland Vampire.

A captured Vampire is on display at the Museum:

The Israeli Meteors took part in the Suez Campaign and remained in operational service until 1962, with some remaining until the early 70's as training aircraft.

Monday Morning Mishaps

If you think your Monday is going rough, just look at the mess the airport maintenance folks at Halfpenny Green Airport have to contend with:

Halfpenny Green's runway is apparently no longer rated for de Haviland Vampires.

Some vampires suck blood, others blow asphalt.

There Were No Zombies At The Air Show, But There Was A Vampire

A DeHaviland Vampire to be exact.

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was an early British jet fighter.  With a top speed of 548 mph, and armed with 4 20 mm cannon and able to carry rockets and bombs, this 50's fighter served the British Air Force and Navy and 30 other countries' air forces, and went on in British service in a training role into the 60s.



 This is a very nice example of a Vampire.  Sadly it didn't perform as the Vampire power assisted takeoffs are a sight and sound to behold.



It also had some pretty cool nose art.

 A fine flying example of the second jet fighter aircraft to enter British service.