Gloster Meteor - Salta, Argentina
Posted by: Torgut
S 24° 46.514 W 065° 24.868
20J E 255868 N 7257783
A Gloster Meteor on display in a public square in Salta, Argentina
Waymark Code: WM12EZ2
Location: Argentina
Date Posted: 05/13/2020
Views: 1
Gloster Meteor was a airplane from the early days of jet technology, which actually took part in the Second World War. It equipped air forces from several countries besides the Royal Air Force. Bur Argentina was the first overseas operator and the second one in Americas, after USA, to operate jet airplanes.
From Wikipedia:
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"Argentina became the first overseas operator of the Meteor, placing an order for 100 F Mk.4s in May 1947.[132] The Meteor's procurement led to Argentina becoming the second air force in the Americas to operate jet aircraft.
The Argentine Meteors were first used in combat during the 16 June 1955 rebellion when, in an attempt to kill Juan Perón, rebel-flown aircraft bombed the Casa Rosada. A loyalist Meteor shot down a rebel AT-6, while another strafed rebel-held Ezeiza airport. The rebels seized Morón Airport and Air Base, base of the Meteors, and used several captured aircraft to perform multiple attacks against loyalist forces and the Casa Rosada before the rebellion was defeated by day's end.
A second revolt, the Revolución Libertadora broke out on 16 September 1955, with, again, both sides operating the Meteor. The rebels seized three Meteors. Government Meteors flew strafing attacks against the rebel-held destroyers Rioja and Cervantes, and several landing ships near Rio Santiago on 16 September and attacking Pajas Blancas airport near the city of Córdoba, damaging several Avro Lincoln bombers. The rebel-flown Meteors were used to attack loyalist forces attacking Córdoba, losing one of their number on 19 September to an engine failure caused by use of automobile petrol instead of jet fuel.
The acquisition of North American F-86 Sabres in 1960 allowed the remaining Meteors to be transferred to the ground attack role. In this role, the aircraft were refitted with bomb pylons and rocket rails; the bare metal colour scheme was also discarded for a camouflage scheme.
Argentine Meteors were used to attack rebels during attempted uprisings in September 1962 and April 1963. The type was ultimately withdrawn from service in 1970."
This Gloster Meteor is on display in a square in Salta, together with other military equipment.