Buddies. It is 1950: John Derry has just flown in to Hatfield from Lisbon in 2 1/4 hr, and chats with John Cunningham.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Vampire / D.H.100 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

John Cunningham on his return from a record flight from Hatfield to Rome and back in a little over four flying hours, made in the Comet prototype on March 16, 1950.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

Comet prototype G-ALVG at the 1950 Farnborough show in BOAC livery.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

G-ALVG, the prototype Comet, leaps away assisted by Sprite rockets installed between the Ghost tailpipes.
The de Havilland Sprite rocket motor produced 5,000lb thrust; two were installed on the Comet prototype G-ALVG for flight trials beginning in May 1951.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

On May 2, 1952, Comet G-ALYP took the first fare-paying passengers from London to Johannesburg. On January 10, 1954, 'YP hit the headlines again, when it suffered catastrophic failure, the wreckage falling into the sea off Elba.
‘Yoke Peter’, the first production aircraft which was lost off Elba in 1954.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

John Cunningham with Peter Bugge, de Havilland chief development test pilot, in the cockpit of a Comet.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

WG236, the prototype D.H.110, first flown by John Cunningham on September 26, 1951. John Derry and Tony Richards lost their lives in the same aircraft over Farnborough on September 6, 1952.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Sea Vixen / D.H.110 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1951

В сентябре 1952г. на авиасалоне в Фарнборо разбился прототип сверхзвукового истребителя-бомбардировщика D.H.110 "Виксен".
John Derry and flight test observer Tony Richards died very publicly at Farnborough on September 6, 1952, when the D.H.110 prototype WG236 broke up in the air. Spectator Herbert Orr's astonishing photograph shows the main portion of the aircraft hitting the ground.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Sea Vixen / D.H.110 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1951