de Havilland Comet 1A
Serial Number:
G-APAS
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 84/A/1186
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, Transport & Training
The first flight of the Comet, the world's first jet
powered airliner, took place on 27 July 1949. With a cruising speed of
725kph (450mph) and a range of 4024 km (2500 miles), the prototype established
many records on long distance flights. With jet engines and a pressurised
cabin, it offered unprecedented levels of comfort and speed for the 36-40
passengers.
Unfortunately several disasters were to befall the Comet; in 1952 and
1953 there were take-off accidents and a Comet broke up in a violent storm
over India.
On 10 January 1954, the first production Comet crashed into the Mediterranean
whilst en route from Rome to London. This was closely followed by a similar
incident involving a Comet en route from Rome to Johannesburg, resulting
in withdrawal of the Certificate of Airworthiness. The cause was found
to be fatigue failure of the pressure cabin.
After further development of the type, the Comet 4 was used as an RAF
transport aircraft and formed the basis of the design which later became
the Nimrod.
