Gloster Meteor T7

The Meteor was the first jet fighter in the world to enter service, the first batch going operational on 12th July 1944 - just eight days before the German Messerschmitt 262.

But unlike the German aircraft, the Meteor remained a front line aircraft for many years, and was extensively used as the basis for a wide variety of trainers and experimental aircraft.

There are three Meteors at Cosford, and this one is the centrepiece of the museum's display dedicated to the development of the ejection seats used in jet aircraft.

Originally a Meteor two seat trainer, this Meteor was converted to allow ejection seats (usually including a volunteer!) to be fired out of the rear seat. The aircraft would usually take off with two people on board, and come in to lane with just one.