‘Oldest’ flying jet in Newquay

A plane that is believed to be the oldest British-built jet aeroplane still flying in the world has arrived in Newquay, Cornwall airport from Coventry.

According to the Classic Airport Trust, who are based at Newquay Airport, the Gloster Meteor T.7 WA591 is the last example of its kind still flying.

Originally, around 4,000 were built, becoming one of the best-selling British exports and serving air forces in Argentina and Egypt.

The Classic Airport Trust is a visitor attraction which opened at Easter 2013 and already it has received more than 12,000 visitors.

Built at Hucclecote, Gloucestershire in 1949, the jet flew with the Royal Air Force (RAF) until 1965.

The WA591 suffered its first flying accident just 73 days after it joined the RAF.

The Trust said it was damaged on at least four occasions as a generation of pilots learned how to fly the new jet aeroplanes. The Gloster Meteor finally ended its prestigious career at RAF Woodvale, Cheshire.

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