Comet wingtips

[merv32249213]

Whilst working, in the 1950's on the BOAC Comet 2 at Marshalls being converted to RAF flying classrooms , I opened a small panel door just under the wing tip .
It was a mini box section with no access to lights etc .
I was then informed that it was a place to transport medical isotopes,to and from various places,well away from passengers . Any ideas as I think this area was also on Comet 4's when I was on the production line at Hatfield

[Jhieminga]

I've dug this up in the archives: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/391374-comet-2-mystery-compartment-wing-tips.html (http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-391374.html)

[Windy Militant]

I have a short documentary on tape. It may be still available
Sky Traders - Hammer (http://stage.hammerfilms.com/productions/film/filmid/84/sky-traders)

It shows Isotopes being sent from either Harwell or Amersham to Johanasburg by Constellation amongst other things.
Tis how they did things in the fifties before the saftey elves got going. ;)
I like the safety glasses the guy from AERE wears.:cool:

[merv32249213]

Thanks folks, alas I forgot that I brought the subject up on PP prune way back senior moment

[A30yoyo]

Whilst on things nuclear, weren't they using depleted uranium for control surface balance weights in 747s, and have now replaced them with another heavy material (tungsten?) (or is it all my imagination?)

[Windy Militant]

Not the same film but similar thing the radiation bit starts at 2.07 BOAC Presents: Tomorrow Is Theirs - 1950s Promo Film (Part 2 of 3) - YouTube

[BOAC73]

A30,
Yes they were. I remember " working" on the BOAC apprentice Comet and the stowage was on the upper surface of the port wing. In addition I recall depleted uranium being used certainly on the 747 rudders, and also as ballast on the original JT9D nose cowls, outboard I think. Of course fitting these was a job for the lad!!
B73

[A30yoyo]

Thanks for the confirmation BOAC73....were you one of these? :)http://farm1.staticflickr.com/139/346804272_5cca1cafe0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75804444@N00/346804272/)
BOAC 1971 Apprentices2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75804444@N00/346804272/) by topemup (http://www.flickr.com/people/75804444@N00/), on Flickr

[BOAC73]

Brilliant photo A30 and thanks for the link. Where was Mr Tree when you got up to those antics?? No I did not start til 73 but perhaps you were the intake that got us banned from Treforest??
Best regards,
B73.

[scotbill]

Came across this recently.
It is a Comet at Berlin (Gatow?) in 1950 having brought MPs from Northolt to attend the Berlin Fair. Script on the back says the pilot was John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham.
Anybody on Pprune able to confirm the details?

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa453/scotbill/Comet1Berlin1950.jpg

[one11]

Anybody on PPRuNe able to confirm the details?

Prototype Comet 1 G-ALVG operated its 5th overseas flight to Berlin on Oct 1st 1950 with 15 Ministry of Supply and Foreign Office officials .

From The D.H Comet by Martin Painter Air Britain publications.

[scotbill]

Thanks very much for that.
I presume it used RAF Gatow as BEA didn't move to Templehof till 1951.

[Limeygal]

I was told by a flight engineer that there was a compartment in the wing of the Comet that few knew about. He was always very good at getting a bottle in for the room party at the hotel. I am sure there is no connection :rolleyes: