Late in 1944, Gloster began construction of an all-metal single-seat fighter designed around the RB.41 centrifugal- flow turbojet being developed by Rolls-Royce and to emerge as the Nene. To the requirements of Specification E.1/44, the first prototype was completed in July 1947, but suffered irreparable damage when the vehicle transporting it to the A&AEE was involved in an accident. A second prototype was completed and flown on 9 March 1948, this being powered by a 2268kg Nene 2 turbojet and having provision for four 20mm Hispano cannon. After initial flight testing the tail assembly was redesigned to improve handling. A third prototype was flown in 1949, and a fourth was nearing completion when it was decided that the single-engined fighter lacked the development potential of the twin-engined Meteor, further work being discontinued.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1670 x 1203)