Варианты
<...>
Comet 3: впервые взлетел 19 июля 1954 года с двигателем Avon 523 тягой 44,48 кН; в удлиненном на 5,64 м фюзеляже помещалось до 78 пассажиров, дополнительный запас топлива закачивался в крыльевые баки оживальной формы; позднее ДальшеMore>>>
он служил как опытный самолет для испытаний крыла Comet уменьшенного размаха (со срезанными законцовками)
Comet 4: серийный вариант Comet 3 для полетов над Северной Атлантикой с двигателем Avon 524 тягой 46,71 кН и вместимостью 78 пассажиров; компания BOAC заказала 19 самолетов. Первый Comet 4 поднялся в воздух 27 апреля 1958 года. 4 октября 1958 года была одновременно, с двух сторон, открыта авиалиния, связывающая Лондон и Нью-Йорк. Серийно собрали 27 самолетов, включая шесть машин для компании "Aerolineas Argentinas" и два лайнера для компании "East African Airways"
Comet 4B: проект для авиалиний малой дальности с удлиненным до 35,97 м фюзеляжем и вместимостью 99 пассажиров, с крылом со срезанными законцовками и размахом 32,87 м - без баков оживальной формы. Comet 4B строили для компаний "British European Airways" (14) и "Olympic Airways" (4); первый лайнер взлетел 27 июня 1959 года
Comet 4C: последний серийный вариант - с удлиненным фюзеляжем Comet 4B и крылом Comet 4; первый из трех лайнеров для компании "Mexicana" использовался для сертификации и проверочных полетов и впервые взлетел 31 октября 1959 года; такой самолет также получили компании "Aerolineas Argentinas" (1), "East African Airways" (1), "King Ibn Saud" (1), "Kuwait Airways" (2), "Middle East Airlines" (4), "Misrair" (9), испытательный центр британских ВВС (1), британские ВВС (5) и "Sudan Airways" (2); еще два самолета переделали в прототипы для морских патрульных самолетов Nimrod
Comet 3
The Comet mainplanes would have been retained in the D.H.111 but would have been mid-set. Illustrated is the sole Comet 3, XP915, which formed a step between the Mk.2 and stretched Mk.4
G-ANLO the first prototype de Havilland Comet 3
Был построен один прототип Comet III (G-ANLO), отличавшийся удлиненным фюзеляжем и двигателями Avon 522, которые позднее заменили более мощными Avon 523. Характерной чертой Comet стали овальные иллюминаторы в фюзеляже.
G-ANLO was the only Mk 3/3B and paved the way for the Mk 4;
The de Havilland Comet 3.
The shape of things to come - this 1954 de Havilland promotional photograph shows Comet 2 G-AMXD (which became XN453 in RAF service) in the background accompanying the sole Comet 3, G-ANLO. The latter was lengthened by 15ft 5in (4-7m) and fitted with wing-mounted pinion fuel tanks for increased range performance.
The sole Comet 3, G-ANLO, with a stretched fuselage and pinion tanks at two-thirds span, made its first flight in July 1954. While de Havilland’s accounts were healthy, a fact the MoS took into consideration, the magnitude of the compensation due to airlines for the failure of the Comet 1 put the company in dire financial straits.
The Series 3 prototype G-ANLO prior to its first flight at Hatfield, May 1954. A Comet 3 fuselage is being moved behind it.
On December 18 G-ANLO flew from Vancouver to a very chilly Toronto (where it is seen here), taking 4hr 12min at an average speed of 495 m.p.h. (795km/h), a significant advance on the time it would take in one of the ageing Canadair or Douglas propliners then flying the route for Canada’s domestic and international air carriers.
The Comet 3 at Heathrow after its journey of almost 30,000 miles (48,280km). The aircraft went on to become a testbed for the Comet 4B, designated 3B, before joining the Blind Landing Experimental Unit at RAE Bedford in 1961. It was grounded in 1972 and finally dismantled in August 1973.
De Havilland Comet 3 (G-ANLO), with noise-suppression Avon R.A.29 engines;
On December 5 the Comet flew to Melbourne’s Essendon Airport, where it is seen here, the aircraft touching down at 1655hr following a wide circuit encompassing the city and part of Port Phillip Bay. Aboard were more than 30 members of the press, all of whom submitted glowing reports about the aircraft to their respective publications.
With three Comet 2s in the background, Comet 3 G-ANLO is towed on to the distinctive apron at Hatfield in May 1954. The new variant’s pinion tanks fitted at two-thirds span are clearly visible. Initially fitted with 10,000lb (44kN)-thrust Avon 502 engines, G-ANLO had these replaced with more powerful hush-kitted Avon RA.29s in 1957.
The Comet 3 takes a tow from a tug at Vancouver, where it arrived on December 16. It was hoped that visiting Canada as part of the tour would encourage sales of the modified Comet for Canadian airlines, particularly Canadian Pacific Air Lines, but the airline opted instead to go for the turboprop-powered Bristol Britannia from 1958 - and, in 1961, the four-jet McDonnell Douglas DC-8.
The first stop on G-ANLO’s tour was Cairo, where it was dark by the time the Comet landed and was greeted by an excited reception party. The following morning the shapely jetliner sashayed its way past one of the piston brigade - a TWA Lockheed Constellation - to roar away to its next stop in India.
Another day, another interview; John Cunningham is followed down the Canadian Pacific airstairs at Vancouver on Friday, December 16, by copilot Peter Bugge and de Havilland Commercial Sales & Contracts Manager Frank Lloyd, before being interviewed beside the Comet for Canadian broadcaster CBC TV.
John Cunningham greets BOAC Chairman Sir Miles Thomas at Heathrow on the Comet’s arrival back in the UK on December 28, 1955 (with Geoffrey de Havilland behind Peter Bugge). In 1957 BOAC placed an order for 19 Comet 4s, fitted with uprated Avon 524 engines and greater fuel capacity.
The first stop on G-ANLO’s tour was Cairo, where it was dark by the time the Comet landed and was greeted by an excited reception party.
Surrounded by de Havilland employees, dignitaries and members of the press, G-ANLO is just about visible on the distinctive honeycomb-pattern hardstanding at Hatfield before its several attempts to depart the very foggy airfield on its world tour on December 2, 1955, for which the Comet was painted in BOAC’s elegant colour scheme.
Наземные испытания системы торможения на "Комете"3B в 1972г.
"Комета"3B в одном из первых испытательных полетов после замены консолей меньшего размаха и без внешних топливных баков. Самолет несет раскраску авиакомпании BEA. Самолет пилотирует экипаж возглавляемый летчиком-испытателем П.Багг. Осень 1958г.
Comet 4
BOAC Comets 4s in the engineering hangar at Heathrow. At the rear is Chester-built G-APDE, while in the centre is Hatfield-built G-APDB which is today preserved by the Duxford Aviation Society.
Третья серийная "Комета"4 (рег. код G-APDC) рядом с DC-8 скандинавской авиакомпании SAS.
Перед началом первого коммерческого рейса "Кометы"4. Этого мгновения вся Англия ждала почти пять лет. 4 октября 1956г.
Comet 4B был разработан для эксплуатации "British European Airways" на коротких маршрутах в Европе, но потенциал самолета был столь высок, что "Dan-Air" позднее использовала его на чартерных туристических маршрутах большой протяженности.
"Комета"4 взлетает в международном аэропорту Нью-Йорка Айлдвайлд.
The first D.H. Comet 4, G-APDA, took time off from crew-conversion training to put in several appearances at the 1958 SBAC show.
The first of the definitive long-range variant of the type, Comet 4 G-APDA made its maiden flight on April 27, 1958. The world’s first transatlantic jet services carrying paying passengers were made by Comet 4s G-APDC (westbound) and G-APDB (eastbound) on October 4, 1958; the British had clawed back a significant victory.
G-APDR, one of nineteen Comet 4s delivered to B.O.A.C. In 1958 B.O.A.C. Comets inaugurated the world's first commercial transatlantic jet service
de Havilland D.H.106 Comet 4.
Two challengers to the Boeing 707 on the Atlantic run are the Douglas DC-8 and (photo) the de Havilland Comet 4.
Вторая серийная "Комета"4B (рег. код G-APMB) в новой раскраске авиакомпании BEA в ходе проведения ознакомительной программы экипажей. Декабрь, 1959г.
Seen in its heyday with BEA, 4B G-APMB has survived for ground handling training at Gatwick.
The first Comet 4B, B.E.A.'s G-APMA, flew on 27th June 1959
Air transport was much smoother and quieter with the introduction into service of jet airliners such as this BEA de Havilland Comet 4B, G-APMA. Furthermore, they cruised above much of the rough weather that made sick bags commonplace on piston engine airliners and cut transatlantic travel time in half.
Новые лайнеры компании BEA. Апрель - декабрь 1960г. 1 апреля компания BEA ("British European Airways ) начала полеты турбореактивного лайнера Comet 4В (фото) по маршруту Лондон - Москва, заменив им прежний самолет Viscount. Появление новой крылатой машины должно было закрепить лидирующее положение BEA на европейском рынке авиаперевозок и противопоставить Comet 4В только что появившемуся реактивному лайнеру Caravelle.
The first of B.E.A.'s Comet 4Bs is expected to enter service next January. Olympic Airways have ordered two.
Classic study of the first 4B for BEA, G-APMA ‘Sir Edmund Halley’, delivered to the airline in December 1959. It was retired and scrapped in 1972.
BEA will soon be adding the Comet 4B jet airliner to its fleet of Viscounts - the largest in the world. BEA already provides greater variety and frequency of flights over Europe than any other airline.
Comet 4 LV-PLM became LV-AHN "Las Tres Marias" when it entered service with Aerolineas Argentinas, the first foreign customer for the Comet
Second of the Series 4s for Aerolineas Argentinas, LV-PLM ‘Las Tres Marias’. Delivered in January 1959, it was acquired for spares by Dan-Air in 1971.
"Кометы" авиакомпании "Дэн-Эйр". На заднем плане виден знаменитый лайнер модификации 4C (рег.код G-BIDW) "Индия Виски" последним завершившим 9 ноября 1980г. коммерческую эксплуатацию самолетов этого семейства.
Former BOAC Series 4 G-APDE in use with Dan-Air’s Training Unit at Gatwick. It was broken up in April 1973.
The world’s last commercial Comet flight leaving Gatwick for Lasham on November 3, 1980. Comet 4C G-BDIW had been operated by Dan Air, last commercial operators of the type.
The world’s last commercial Comet flight leaving Gatwick for Lasham on November 3, 1980. Comet 4C G-BDIW had been operated by Dan Air, last commercial operators of the type.
Dan-Air de Havilland Comet 4B G-APYD lands at Wroughton, near Swindon, on November 1, 1979, on delivery to the Science Museum’s storage facility.
VP-KPJ (now 5X-AAO), the first of three Comet 4s for East African Airways
9K-ACE, the second of Kuwait Airways' two Comet 4Cs
Авиакомпания "Mexicana" выбрала de Havilland Comet 4C, сочетавший длинный фюзеляж Comet 4B со стандартным крылом, в качестве своего первого реактивного лайнера. 4 июля 1960 года этот самолет вышел на линию Мехико - Лос-Анжелес, а затем, 1 ноября, на беспосадочном маршруте в Сан-Антонио. Три Comet были единственными, использовавшимися на престижных маршрутах в США.
XA-NAS, one of Compania Mexicana de Aviacion's three Comet 4Cs
Middle-East Airlines operate four Comet 4Cs; OD-ADR illustrated
An impressive airframe from any angle, MEA Series 4C OD-ADR poses serenely for the camera prior to delivery to the Lebanon. It was destroyed on the ground in an Israeli attack on Beirut on December 28, 1968.
"Комета"4C авиакомпании МЕА над районом Бейрута.
G-APYC is now SX-DAK "Queen Frederika", Olympic Airways' first Comet 4B
ST-AAW, the first of two Comet 4Cs delivered to Sudan Airways
Series 4C SU-ALC wearing the briefly-adopted Misrair colours. Delivered to Egypt in June 1960, the airline took on the United Arab Airlines full title that December. ’LC crashed after take-off from Tripoli on January 2, 1977.
Hawker Siddeley Comet 4C (four Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets) in the insignia of Sudan Airways
SU-ALE is one of seven Comet 4Cs operated by United Arab Airlines
King Ibn Saud’s personal transport, Series 4C SA-R-7. Painted in a spectacular colour scheme, the aircraft had but a short life, delivered in June 1962, crashing into the Italian Alps on March 20 the following year.
SA-R-7, the luxurious Comet 4C built for King Saud of Saudi-Arabia
This photograph shows the Comet 4C N999WA at Miami in April 1978. The inscription on the fuselage reads "Dick Drost" and "Naked City".
Photographs of the two Comets at Mexico City, also photographed in April 1978. One (left) is within the Mexican Air Force area on one side of the airport and the other is in a courtyard close to the civil side.
De Havilland Comet 4C G-BEEZ, ex SU-ANC, seen at Lasham on December 28, 1976.
SU-ANC, one of three ex-Egyptian Comet 4Cs now at Lasham, wearing ferry marking G-BEEZ;
Один из пяти самолетов "Комет"-4 из состава королевских ВВС
Comet C.4 XR397 which served with No. 216 Squadron. R.A.F. Transport Command. The type's slender fuselage is evident in this view
The RAF worked its C.4 transports hard. Troops boarding XR396 of 216 Squadron, as a Bristol Sycamore hovers overhead.
Хотя "Кометы" были достаточно быстро выведены из коммерческой эксплуатации, они еще долгое время служили в качестве летающих лабораторий в исследовательском и летно-испытательном центрах Королевских ВВС.
This unique formation of Comet research aircraft took place on March 29, 1972, near Bedford. Leading the trio is XN453 ex G-AMXD c/n 06026, in the background is XP915 the only Comet 3 ex G-ANLO c/n 06100 transferred to the BLEU at Bedford on June 21, 1961, and in use until March 1972. Nearest the camera is XV814 ex G-APDF c/n 06407.
July 30, 1962, was a wet day, but undeterred, No 216 Sqn displayed its new C.4s alongside a C.2 (XK669) and a Bristol Britannia at RAF Lyneham.
General view of the SBAC area seen during September 1960 showing, among others, the Gnat, Sea Vixen, Belvedere, Heron, Jet Provost, Comet, EP-9, Scout, Wasp, Whirlwind and Wessex. Note the exhibition area and the chalets, and compare with the area covered by these today.
Taken in 1970, this photograph shows the A&AEE Comet’s Doppler radome.
Another 1970 picture showing the Comet’s aerial arrays.
This 1970 close-up of the Comet's underside shows the suppressed plate aerial survey camera ports.
The fuselage of the fourth production Comet 4 G-APDC was moved from the Hatfield assembly line on 7th November to join 'DA and 'DB in the equipment bay. The c/n. 6404 appears on the small dark strip aft of the cockpit.
Wikipedia
