Soaring Comet

[Pen-Pusher]

In 1934 Geoffrey de Havilland was worried that an acknowledged aviation lead in Britain could slip away unless prompt action was taken. The England to Australia “MacRobertson” air race focused international attention and a wide range of impressive entrants was likely to be forthcoming. He decided to design and produce a highly specialised long-range twin engine racing aircraft that would incorporate a number of innovations with few compromises for comfort or simplicity.
In a perilously short space of time a wholly new aircraft – the DH 88 was designed and three aircraft built speculatively. De Havilland was successful in selling all three, albeit at a discounted rate. Not surprisingly these aircraft, named Comets attracted the most famous and competent pilots of the time.
The first of the aircraft to fly was registered G-ACSP, named “Black Magic” and was bought by Jim and Amy Mollison (nee Johnson) who were both independently recognised as world record holders in their own right. This combination started the race as favourite.
Black Magic was the first of a great new generation of British aircraft that flew with all three of the now commonplace technical features i.e., retractable undercarriage, variable pitch propellers and flaps
Shortly after being sold to Portugal Black Magic disappeared for a number of decades until found languishing on a portugese farm and recovered to the UK. After passing through a number of owners Black Magic now resides in a safe and secure environment with her own workshop. G-ACSP ‘Black Magic’ is now in the process of a complete restoration to airworthy condition by the Comet Racer Project Group. Although a number of years away she will one day make her second ‘Maiden’ flight from the safety of her new home at Derby Airfield.
For the modeller there were/are several kits and scales to choose from. Frog and Airfix issued reasonable kits in 1/72 followed on by Eastern Express (Frog) Novo (Frog) and IPC (Airfix). Heritage models produced two very well detailed and accurate DH.88’s in resin – both in 1/72 whilst Aurora and Lindberg issued (probably the same mouldings) a 1/50th version which is now impossible to find at a reasonable cost. Al, three aircraft have been featured and Airfix is rumoured to release a new DH.88 Comet but there is still the mystery of Matchbox’s moulding which was reviewed way back in the 70’s but never, ever appeared?


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[Pen-Pusher]

In error, I forgot to mention 'other' Comets! Following the French government's acquisition of F-ANPY, they ordered a fourth Comet, F-ANPZ fitted with a mail compartment in the nose. One was destroyed in a hangar fire at Istres in France in June 1940.

The fifth and last Comet, registered G-ADEF and named Boomerang, was built for Cyril Nicholson. It was piloted by Tom Campbell Black and J. C. McArthur in an attempt on the London-Cape Town record. It reached Cairo in a record 11 hrs 18 min but the Cape Town attempt was abandoned due to oil trouble. G-ADEF crashed in Sudan on 22 September 1935, the crew escaping by parachute.

[Bigkev]

Hi Pen Pusher,

I knew of the plastic offerings, but are you aware of the 1/72nd scale white metal model made by our late club member, C.A.(Tommy) Atkins.

Tommy made the masters and actually cast the models himself, and I had the pleasure of building this and some of his of his other models. The model as I remember was two wings complete with engines, top and bottom fuselage halves complete with tailplanes, a separate fin and rudder, a set of main wheels, two props, a vac canopy, plus some wire and pewter sheet to make undercarriage legs, seats, control column, etc. There were no decals in the kit. An instruction leaflet of written instructions and a three view drawing.
I made two models for him one as G-ASSP and the other 'Black Magic' G-ACSP.

As you will imagine a heavy solid model but as I remember very accurate in all profile outlines, and dimensions.

Bigkev