50 years of jet air travel

justin · 05-19-2002, 08:43 PM

Much to my shame I had completely forgotten that May 2nd. was the 50th. anniversary of the worlds first jet airliner, the Comet 1, entering service with BOAC. The subsequent tragic history of the Comet 1 has blinded most to just what a revolutionary aircraft the Comet 1 was, it was a truly revolutionary aircraft and a machine truly deserving the much over used accolade of revolutionary. I'd love a 1/400 model, but I think we may never see it. My favourite of the whole Comet series was the Comet 1A's of UAT Aeromaritime , a beautiful livery on a beautiful machine.
There is something of a happy ending to the tragic story in that the son of the Comet 4, the mighty Nimrod is currentley being re-engineered for another 40 years service so we'll be seeing the descendent of the worlds first jet airliner for a long time to come

Justin

KJC · 05-19-2002, 09:14 PM

Interesting. Thanks for reminding us Justin. Why do you say that we probably won't see a 1:400 Comet? I think Aeroclassics has one planned.

Anyway, have a good time in Egypt (well, as good as you can). I'm leaving for my first trip to China on 8 June.

Kevin

justin · 05-19-2002, 09:21 PM

Hi K, I think the model will almost certainly be a comet 4, as that was by far the most important variant. The Comet 1 had a tragically short service life as it was grounded as being not air worthy, the Comet 2 was a slightly stretched Comet 1 which I think was only used by the RAF in small numbers, the Comet 3 was an intermediate model while the Comet 4 was developed, then the Comet 4 was the main production version. I'd love a Comet 1, my two dream models would be a BOAC Comet 1 and UAT Aeromaritime Comet 1A.
I'll try and enjoy Egypt, but I'm not optimistic

However you enjoy China, I love China!!

Justin

Ozz · 05-19-2002, 10:31 PM

Since Canadian Pacific and the RCAF flew the Comet I, I have a soft spot for these sleek wonders. I would love to see AC or someone make these beauties, I have both of these on my Bader list but a smaller version wouldn't hurt my bank account as much.
Thanks for the info Justin, this is a birthday we should all remember.

justin · 05-20-2002, 05:44 AM

Couldn't agree more about wanting a RCAF and CP Comet 1!!!

To the best of my knowlege, the Comet 1 was only operated by;
BOAC
UAT Aeromaritime
Air France
Canadian Pacific
Royal Canadian Air Force
quite a short list

The Comet 2 was just a very slightly stretched Comet 1, although ordered by BOAC they were delivered to the Royal air force. In my own opinion the comet 1 and 2 were the nicest looking of all Comet's, very stylish machines.

Justin

05-21-2002, 12:37 AM

Wow, Its been that long.

ANTHONY F DUVA JR · 05-27-2002, 10:53 PM

Dinky Toys made a BEAUTIFUL Comet I in the 1950s - If you think that Gemini Jets has a monopoly on exquisite quality, think again. This beauty was introduced half a century ago, and featured a great casting and fine finish. No, it is not 1:400 but it is a masterpiece nevertheless!

05-19-2002, 08:43 PM	#1
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	50 years of jet air travel Much to my shame I had completely forgotten that May 2nd. was the 50th. anniversary of the worlds first jet airliner, the Comet 1, entering service with BOAC. The subsequent tragic history of the Comet 1 has blinded most to just what a revolutionary aircraft the Comet 1 was, it was a truly revolutionary aircraft and a machine truly deserving the much over used accolade of revolutionary. I'd love a 1/400 model, but I think we may never see it. My favourite of the whole Comet series was the Comet 1A's of UAT Aeromaritime , a beautiful livery on a beautiful machine. There is something of a happy ending to the tragic story in that the son of the Comet 4, the mighty Nimrod is currentley being re-engineered for another 40 years service so we'll be seeing the descendent of the worlds first jet airliner for a long time to come Justin

05-19-2002, 09:14 PM	#2
KJC Insane Collector Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pasadena, CA Age: 37 Posts: 2,529	Interesting. Thanks for reminding us Justin. Why do you say that we probably won't see a 1:400 Comet? I think Aeroclassics has one planned. Anyway, have a good time in Egypt (well, as good as you can). I'm leaving for my first trip to China on 8 June. Kevin __________________ The white zones are for the immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. No parking!

05-19-2002, 10:31 PM	#4
Ozz Insane Collector Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada (CYVR) Age: 51 Posts: 2,763	Since Canadian Pacific and the RCAF flew the Comet I, I have a soft spot for these sleek wonders. I would love to see AC or someone make these beauties, I have both of these on my Bader list but a smaller version wouldn't hurt my bank account as much. Thanks for the info Justin, this is a birthday we should all remember. __________________ Ozz ORANGE IS BEAUTIFUL *GO WESTJET!!!* We need more CPAir/CDN and don't forget PWA and BA Landor!

05-27-2002, 10:53 PM	#7
ANTHONY F DUVA JR ^~.. Maximum R & B ..~^ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Land of a thousand dances Posts: 3,064	Dinky Toys made a BEAUTIFUL Comet I in the 1950s - If you think that Gemini Jets has a monopoly on exquisite quality, think again. This beauty was introduced half a century ago, and featured a great casting and fine finish. No, it is not 1:400 but it is a masterpiece nevertheless! __________________ FLY DUVA AIR's LUXURIOUS, DOUBLE-DECK BOEING "STRATO" CLIPPER !

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05-19-2002, 09:21 PM	#3
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	Hi K, I think the model will almost certainly be a comet 4, as that was by far the most important variant. The Comet 1 had a tragically short service life as it was grounded as being not air worthy, the Comet 2 was a slightly stretched Comet 1 which I think was only used by the RAF in small numbers, the Comet 3 was an intermediate model while the Comet 4 was developed, then the Comet 4 was the main production version. I'd love a Comet 1, my two dream models would be a BOAC Comet 1 and UAT Aeromaritime Comet 1A. I'll try and enjoy Egypt, but I'm not optimistic However you enjoy China, I love China!! Justin

05-20-2002, 05:44 AM	#5
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	Couldn't agree more about wanting a RCAF and CP Comet 1!!! To the best of my knowlege, the Comet 1 was only operated by; BOAC UAT Aeromaritime Air France Canadian Pacific Royal Canadian Air Force quite a short list The Comet 2 was just a very slightly stretched Comet 1, although ordered by BOAC they were delivered to the Royal air force. In my own opinion the comet 1 and 2 were the nicest looking of all Comet's, very stylish machines. Justin

05-21-2002, 12:37 AM	#6
Romania is #1 Guest Posts: n/a	Wow, Its been that long.