DeHavilland Comet

Ref: 5268

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{detailed description}Of all the postwar generation of jet passenger transports, the de Havilland Comet is at once an example of the triumph and tragedy of the jet age. Immortalised as the type that operated the world's first jet airliner service on 2 May 1952 from London to Johannesburg, the Comet also achieved notoriety in 1954 when two fatal accidents caused by pressure cabin fatigue led to a temporary suspension of the type's Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A). As a result of the exhaustive accident investigation at RAE Farnborough, the Comet was structurally strengthened and its C of A reinstated. Thereafter, the type went on to serve in a number of different versions with the major airlines of the world, the RAF and RCAF, with BOAC inaugurating London-New York flights via Gander with the Comet 4 in October 1958. In this the third title in the popular 'Classic Civil Aircraft' series, Philip Birtles follows the rise of the Comet from the drawing board and development through to construction, service entry and then tragedy. He then relates how, after the investigation, the pieces were picked up and new variants of the Comet were developed, restoring the faith of the world's airlines in the type. Service with the RAF is covered together with the successful derivative known as the Nimrod. The Comet's twilight years in airline service receive attention and details of preserved examples of this classic aircraft are included. Illustrated with over 120 black and white photographs and 15 line drawings, Classic Civil Aircraft 3: de Havilland Comet is a fitting tribute to the aircraft that blazed the trail for today's jet airliner services which we all take so much for granted.
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Philip J. Birtles
published by Ian Allan 1990 1st edn. 112pp profusely illustrated with b&w photos, drawings, index 18x24
{condition}very good, d/j creased
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