Interesting article from the Daily Telegraph marking the 50th anniversary in 2008:
Transatlantic travel: Flying back to the Fifties
Includes the memorable quote:
A flustered Pan American issued a press release questioning the Comet’s ability to mount a viable service. Basil Smallpiece, managing director of BOAC, dismissed the claim in invincibly British style as “rather poor sportsmanship”.
Of course Pan Am had a point - their 707 service launched a few weeks later didn't require a fuel stop at Gander westbound.