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British Military Jets 1 |
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| The Gloster Meteor was the first British Jet to enter operational service. The first successful offensive mission took place on August 4 1944 when a German V-1 flying bomb was downed. The Meteor was built in numerous versions, and a few examples were still in service as target tugs until quite recently. | The Hawker Sea Hawk was a single seat Naval fighter-bomber. Power was provided by a single Rolls Royce Nene turbojet of 5,200 lb. (2,359 kg) thrust. maximum speed 560 mph (901 km/h) at 36,000 feet (10,970 m) |
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| The English Electric Canberra first entered service with the R.A.F. in May 1951, it remained in service until recently thus making it the aircraft having the longest life in R.A.F. service. As the Martin B-57, it is one of the few British aircraft to have been licence built in the USA.. |
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| The Hawker Hunter. 1,972 various versions of the Hunter were built making it the most successful British Jet aircraft ever built in regard to quantity. Used by many Airforces World Wide it was classic proof of the old adage that if it looks right it will fly right. |
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| The Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk 2. In its time it was one of the worlds finest low-level attack aircraft. Only 189 were built, the first version entered service in early 1963, none now remain in service with the R.A.F. |
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| English Electric Lightning F 6. This Aircraft was only operated by the Royal Air Force, while it no longer remains in service, its top speed of 1,500 mph made it the fastest aircraft ever operated by the R.A.F. |
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| The McDonnell Phantom FGR.2 Versions of the Phantom operated by the Royal Air Force were fitted with Rolls Royce Spey engines. All R.A.F. Phantoms have been withdrawn from service. Still operated by several Airforces around the World updated versions of the Phantom still prove to be a formidable and capable opponent. It certainly ranks as one of the finest fighters ever built. The Phantom has been employed with great success in the "Wild Weasel" role by the United States Airforce and it continues to fulfill that task to date. 1999 will be the Phantom's fortieth anniversary in service. |
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| The Panavia Tornado was designed by a consortium from Great Britain Germany and Italy for the requirements of their respective Airforces. Its swing wing design allows it to operate in many roles. Tornado's from all three Nations are a common sight in the North Wales Valleys where they practice down to a level of 200 feet. The Tornado is capable of flying. "hands off" at a level of 50 feet both by day and night. The F3 version of the Tornado is the only high level combat interceptor in service with the R.A.F. today. While not quite as fast as the Lightning F6 that it replaced, it has vastly better range. The aircraft is powered by two Turbo-Union RB.199-34R afterburning turbofans each giving 16.000 lb. (7,256 kg) of thrust. The maximum speed at sea level is 921 mph (1,482 km/h) |
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