BOAC Comet 4 memories and memorabilia
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BOAC Comet 4 memories and memorabilia
I am the co-custodian of the Comet 4 G-APDB currently on display at the Imperal War Museum Duxford, and owned by the Duxford Aviation Society.
I am looking for any stories from anyone who crewed the Comet 4's, in order to enhance the experience of the visitors.
I am also looking for a BOAC stewardess uniform size 12-14 that could be worn on major flying days to meet and greet everyone when all the re-enactment groups are on display.
Would like to establish a complete list of what was provided by BOAC for their passengers in the late 1950's
Really what I am trying to say, is I want to bring alive the story of the golden age of jet travel with interesting facts to enhance families visits to what is a static exhibit.
I am looking for any stories from anyone who crewed the Comet 4's, in order to enhance the experience of the visitors.
I am also looking for a BOAC stewardess uniform size 12-14 that could be worn on major flying days to meet and greet everyone when all the re-enactment groups are on display.
Would like to establish a complete list of what was provided by BOAC for their passengers in the late 1950's
Really what I am trying to say, is I want to bring alive the story of the golden age of jet travel with interesting facts to enhance families visits to what is a static exhibit.
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All credit to you Sarah yours is a sound idea, as ex 60,s cabin crew (Not BA)
so if I can help PM me.
You might try what I just did on this thread.
Go to search and type in BOAC comet cabin crew 1950s, or your choice of wording, and have a good look at what comes up.
Theres a fund of information in past posts on PPrune forums which is wonderful archive !!!
so if I can help PM me.
You might try what I just did on this thread.
Go to search and type in BOAC comet cabin crew 1950s, or your choice of wording, and have a good look at what comes up.
Theres a fund of information in past posts on PPrune forums which is wonderful archive !!!
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Touchdown
Hi Sarah,
Re your search for BOAC uniforms.
There is a website BA-Touchdown for retired BA staff many of its readers will have worked for BOAC I'm sure there are plenty of spare outfits still kept by the retired community.
Re your search for BOAC uniforms.
There is a website BA-Touchdown for retired BA staff many of its readers will have worked for BOAC I'm sure there are plenty of spare outfits still kept by the retired community.
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Comet questions
Would like to establish the China used on the Comet around 1958 jet crossing and also the glasswear, plus cutlery. Size of trays used for meals in first class was it A4 size or normal tea tray size, was there a tray cloth? I want to put together an exhibit of tray setting as used on 4th October 1958.
Would like to confirm configuration of galleys. There was one cockpit end we are missing the LEC refrigeration unit, but where were all the China etc stores?
How did the foot/leg rest attach to the Slumbereze seats? Did they slide under or were they detached and stored if so where? Yellow pure wool blankets were provided together with multi coloured head pillows where were these stored? The is a fairly small cupboard at the rear of aircraft between the 2 rear toilets what was stored in there, looks like there was a small hanging space too.
There seems to be some conflicting information on class of travel offered during 1958, 42 passengers, front half Monach (treated like a king)? Back half first class OR front first and back tourist class.
I have established Elizabeth Arden provided toiletries for the Ladies to use, can you confirm it was Yardley for men any other products provided?
Would like to confirm configuration of galleys. There was one cockpit end we are missing the LEC refrigeration unit, but where were all the China etc stores?
How did the foot/leg rest attach to the Slumbereze seats? Did they slide under or were they detached and stored if so where? Yellow pure wool blankets were provided together with multi coloured head pillows where were these stored? The is a fairly small cupboard at the rear of aircraft between the 2 rear toilets what was stored in there, looks like there was a small hanging space too.
There seems to be some conflicting information on class of travel offered during 1958, 42 passengers, front half Monach (treated like a king)? Back half first class OR front first and back tourist class.
I have established Elizabeth Arden provided toiletries for the Ladies to use, can you confirm it was Yardley for men any other products provided?
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BOAC Comet cabin crew and flight crew life histories
i am compiling a file on the BOAC and DAN AIR staff that flew G-APDB. A description of their lives whilst flying the aircraft. Their career histories. If anyone can help please.
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Sarah .
An ex Dan - Air friend has suggested you might get something from:
http://www.danairremembered.com/index.html
https://en-gb.facebook.com/danairstaffassociation/
http:www.danairstaffassociation.uk/news-1.html
An ex Dan - Air friend has suggested you might get something from:
http://www.danairremembered.com/index.html
https://en-gb.facebook.com/danairstaffassociation/
http:www.danairstaffassociation.uk/news-1.html
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I am the co-custodian of the Comet 4 G-APDB currently on display at the Imperal War Museum Duxford, and owned by the Duxford Aviation Society.
I am looking for any stories from anyone who crewed the Comet 4's, in order to enhance the experience of the visitors.
I am also looking for a BOAC stewardess uniform size 12-14 that could be worn on major flying days to meet and greet everyone when all the re-enactment groups are on display.
Would like to establish a complete list of what was provided by BOAC for their passengers in the late 1950's
Really what I am trying to say, is I want to bring alive the story of the golden age of jet travel with interesting facts to enhance families visits to what is a static exhibit.
I am looking for any stories from anyone who crewed the Comet 4's, in order to enhance the experience of the visitors.
I am also looking for a BOAC stewardess uniform size 12-14 that could be worn on major flying days to meet and greet everyone when all the re-enactment groups are on display.
Would like to establish a complete list of what was provided by BOAC for their passengers in the late 1950's
Really what I am trying to say, is I want to bring alive the story of the golden age of jet travel with interesting facts to enhance families visits to what is a static exhibit.
If you try here you will find many Comet people who are most helpful and knowledgeable
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...tions/messages
You will have to subscribe to join but it's free.
Good luck with your search.
Be lucky
David
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I cannot help you with your search. I was a pax on this aircraft once, and I would like to congratulate you and your team on the beautiful way this lovely aircraft has been preserved at Duxford.
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An ex airline colleague suggested you write to monthly aviation titles the Aeroplane and Flypast for assistance or they might run an article on your particular part in conserving the DH Comet.
Wander00 wrote:
I flew back from Mahon once on one of Dan Air's Comets - I'm sure that we boarded on the RHS as I recall the door being very small. But the seats and seating pitch were fine! I've only been in a Concorde once (at Brooklands), but the fuselage cross-section didn't seem that small compared with, say, an A320.
I visited the DeH Museum last year and was surprised at the small cross section of the Comet fuselage - reminded me of Concorde.
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Also the flight deck, forward galley and first couple of rows of seats could always bet on getting wet when the aircraft started its descent. This was due to all the condensation flowing forward to the lowest point and providing an impromptu shower to all and sundry.
Only was near Comets on a few occasions when both of Aeronaves de Mexico's Brttanias were down and they subbed Mexicana Comets to fly to KJFK. Remember they had a leather padded head protector that swung out from inside to cover the top of the entrance door frame. Being 6'4" tall I appreciated the protection. Also noticed the baggage holds were very small, the fly-away kit filling up much of the forward bag hold. Caravelle (Varig) had the same problem of course.
Best Comet story I heard.
On Dan-Air holiday flights, in the old days (of course), having the kids up to the flight deck while in the cruise was standard stuff.
Small boys would regularly ask "Does it have machine guns ?". To which the skipper would reply "Well, it does actually. Step forward here and press that for a moment", pointing to some innocuous switch on the yoke. The boy would hesitantly do so.
Meanwhile the flight engineer, seated right behind them, has moved his finger over the Stick Shaker Test Switch. Boy presses switch. FE operates Stick Shaker Test. Thump-Thump-Thump in the yoke. Boy is amazed. Crew smile.
Now on one occasion they were following another aircraft visible above them in the airway. Skipper extends his invitation to "See that aircraft ahead. See if you can aim at that". Small boy does as usual. Meanwhile the aircraft ahead by chance passes into a slightly different air mass and starts visibly jet-trailing where it had not before. Skipper says nonchalantly "Oh, there, good shot. You got him". But the boy is panic-stricken, and runs back into the cabin yelling.
On Dan-Air holiday flights, in the old days (of course), having the kids up to the flight deck while in the cruise was standard stuff.
Small boys would regularly ask "Does it have machine guns ?". To which the skipper would reply "Well, it does actually. Step forward here and press that for a moment", pointing to some innocuous switch on the yoke. The boy would hesitantly do so.
Meanwhile the flight engineer, seated right behind them, has moved his finger over the Stick Shaker Test Switch. Boy presses switch. FE operates Stick Shaker Test. Thump-Thump-Thump in the yoke. Boy is amazed. Crew smile.
Now on one occasion they were following another aircraft visible above them in the airway. Skipper extends his invitation to "See that aircraft ahead. See if you can aim at that". Small boy does as usual. Meanwhile the aircraft ahead by chance passes into a slightly different air mass and starts visibly jet-trailing where it had not before. Skipper says nonchalantly "Oh, there, good shot. You got him". But the boy is panic-stricken, and runs back into the cabin yelling.
This isn't 100% related to your original request for info but it's interesting:
360° Virtual Reality tour of the Cockpit of a de Havilland Comet by Ken McBride
360° Virtual Reality tour of the Cockpit of a de Havilland Comet by Ken McBride
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Flew NBO-ADD-NBO on EAA's Comets quite often in the early seventies. Didn't think much of it at the time but now I'm glad I had the chance to fly on such an historic aircraft.
Do any of EAA's Comets still exist anywhere?
Do any of EAA's Comets still exist anywhere?
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As a RAF kid in the 70s, I flew out of Tengah to Kia Tak on a RAFTC Comet 4C.
There was only me & one other passenger!
I distinctly remember looking back through the cabin and being amazed at how much the floor & seats seemed to flex!
Dean
There was only me & one other passenger!
I distinctly remember looking back through the cabin and being amazed at how much the floor & seats seemed to flex!
Dean