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Gloster Meteor lifted from Imjin Barracks by helicopter | Gloster Meteor lifted from Imjin Barracks by helicopter |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A historic jet aircraft has "flown" above Gloucestershire - carried by a helicopter. | |
The Gloster Meteor T7 - Britain's first operational jet plane, developed in 1940 - was lifted out of Imjin Barracks, Innsworth, by an RAF Chinook. | |
It was flown 1.5 miles (2.4km) above the rooftops of Churchdown to a new home at Gloucestershire Airport. | |
This particular model was used as a "gate guardian" by the RAF, which was stationed in Innsworth until 2008. | This particular model was used as a "gate guardian" by the RAF, which was stationed in Innsworth until 2008. |
In 2010, the base was renamed Imjin Barracks and it became the home of Nato's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC). | |
Major Chris Hyde, from the ARRC, said: "I can't think of anything more fitting than for Imjin's Meteor aircraft to fly to its final destination. | |
"The Meteor aircraft represents a very important link to Gloucestershire's military and industrial heritage. | "The Meteor aircraft represents a very important link to Gloucestershire's military and industrial heritage. |
"It embodies a period of rapid technological progress in the region that is still represented in the area today." | "It embodies a period of rapid technological progress in the region that is still represented in the area today." |
Imjin's Meteor T7 was built in 1949 at nearby Hucclecote and flew some 2,000 hours until 1968. | Imjin's Meteor T7 was built in 1949 at nearby Hucclecote and flew some 2,000 hours until 1968. |
Nine years later it was removed from service and then transported to RAF Innsworth in 1981 where it was restored and unveiled as the base's gate guardian in 1994. | Nine years later it was removed from service and then transported to RAF Innsworth in 1981 where it was restored and unveiled as the base's gate guardian in 1994. |