Additional Exhibits

Meteor F3 EE425 Cockpit

The Gloster Meteor was the first and only operational jet fighter to actually enter combat in WWII for the Allies. Replacing the F1, the F3 had Rolls-Royce engines, a revised canopy style and increased fuel capacity.

210 F3’s were produced and were first introduced on the Belgian front in January of 1945 to intercept the Me 262, however by that time the Luftwaffe was sufficiently weakened that the F3’s never engaged the 262 in combat.

They were mostly used in reconnaissance and air-to-ground support activities.

This cockpit is from the third oldest F3 Meteor and was purchased and presented to the Museum by Richard Greenwood, the son of Eric Greenwood, Chief Test Pilot at Gloster Aircraft Company, 1945-1946.

Firestreak Missile

As used by the Javelin fighter aircraft, displayed on its handling trolley

Landing Gear Legs

Avro Shackleton and Vulcan main landing gear legs. Manufactured by Dowty Landing Gear.

Unibus Scooter

Just after the First World War, the Gloucestershire Aircraft Company diversified into the production of a motor scooter, which was marketed under the name of Unibus. Built at the firm’s Sunningend Works in Cheltenham in the early 1920s, the machine was designed by Harold Boultbee, who was an aircraft designer. A fine job he made of it too. The machine was one of the best and most advanced designs of that era. The Unibus on display at the museum is in working order.

Airfield Fire Cart

Probably manufactured before World War 2

Factory Clocking In Clock & Whistle

Gloster Aircraft Company wooden clock for staff clocking in and out at the factory, manufactured by Gledhill Brook, mechanism and case restored. Restored large steam factory whistle/hooter, sounded to mark the start and end of the day.

Pilot Display

Display of dummy pilot with uniform and ejection seat, and photos / short biographies of Gloster pilots in the background.

Airborne Forces Display

Gloucestershire played a major part in airborne operations in WW2.

Both RAF Down Ampney and RAF Fairford were embarkation airfields for the invasion of Europe.

Hispano Cannon

This Hispano 20mm aircraft cannon was recovered from Typhoon 1b JR516 aircraft which caught fire / crashed on the 5th August 1944 at Taynton / Tibberton, between Huntley and Newent in Gloucestershire. The HS.404 was an autocannon produced by Hispano-Suiza and derivates and was widely used as both an aircraft and land based weapon in the 20th century by French, British, American and numerous other military services, particularly during the World War 2.

Turboprop

This turboprop blade has a significant place in the history of the Jet Age. The world’s first turboprop aircraft was a modified Gloster Meteor used as a testbed for the Rolls-Royce Trent engine. With five-bladed propellers fitted to its two modified Derwent jet engines it pioneered the type of propulsion used by many short and medium range airliners today. Meteor I EE227 had seen RAF service before being transferred for the new engines to be installed. It first flew on September 20, 1945, with Gloster’s chief test pilot Eric Greenwood at the controls.

C130J Lockheed R391 Hercules Propeller

The propeller has a 13.5ft diameter.

Factory Gates

The blue gates at the entrance to the museum were once one of two sets of gates that guarded the Gloster Aircraft Company factory