View of SM809, the first E.1/44, taken in July 1947. The aircraft is identified by way of the serial numbers painted on the light-coloured patches over the empty gun ports on the wing leading edges forward of the undercarriage legs. Note too the horn-balanced rudder and the wide-track undercarriage.
An unmarked 'Ace', SM809, showing the low-set tailplane of the early prototypes. Note the box-like structure below the rudder, housing an anti-spin parachute. Note also that the rudder is aerodynamically balanced and therefore differs from that actually flown on TX145.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

The third E.1/44 prototype which flew from the outset with the definitive tail.
TX148, showing the fin-mounted tailplane that would have been used on production versions of the Ace. The configuration was almost identical to that used on the Meteor Mk.8. The photograph was possibly taken at the Bentham experimental department, which was about one mile from Brockworth airfield; the site exists almost unchanged to this day, although it no longer houses the Gloster Aircraft Company.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

TX145, at Moreton Valence in 1948. Note that the rear section of the canopy is missing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

TX145 at Moreton Valence in 1948.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

TX145 being worked on at Moreton Valence, possibly during engine running tests.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

Третий опытный E.1/44 со стреловидным стабилизатором, установленным на киле.
TX148 starboard side view showing the high-set tailplane that resembled that later fitted to the Meteor F.8.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

SM809, after 'falling off the back of a lorry' and while its damage was being assessed before it was struck off charge. There are chalk marks on the fuselage above the wing and below the engine air intake, highlighting the damage

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

Drawing of the Gloster Rocket project showing the side-by-side engine lay-out.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

Gloster drawing of the P.181 fitted with a H.2 engine, dated 20 February 1945

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster G.42 / E.1/44 Ace - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947