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Mexicana Comet.

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Old 30th Aug 2010, 05:57
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Malaysian Comet

ZFT

Do you have more details on the back of that photograph such as date and place? I am intrigued by the single name Malaysian which is post Malayan-Singapore Airlines, yet it appears to sport the logo of the Federated States, the crossed flags.

Is it possible that the place is Sungai Besi airport which preceded Subang as the International gateway.

If you have more pics of of Kuala Lumpur operations can you please post them or let me have a peek in a p.m.

Thank you

Sultan Ismail
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Old 30th Aug 2010, 06:40
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As soon as I get back from this trip I'll do just that (left office 1 hour ago). I think I have some others of same aircraft.
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Old 30th Aug 2010, 23:04
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evansb. I have to say that is a fantastic photo of a Comet XA-NAS looking supurb .....

Keith.
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Old 1st Sep 2010, 16:09
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You are welcome Keith. Now you can buy your very own Comet 4C XA-NAS !
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Old 1st Sep 2010, 22:49
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I remember flying back from Naples to Gatwick aboard a Dan-Air Comet 4c in October 1975. We had flown out on a Boeing 727 (entering via the back door steps). I was only 15 at the time and the only other aircraft I'd flown in before was DC3 at a Hucknall air display and found the Comet luxurious with it's blue leather seating and no noticeable engine noise in the cruise, I think we all agreed it was superior to the 727 (we were but kids).

It inspired me enough to do a PPL eventually via a K13 glider a Beagle Pup and a Cessna 150.

I would still love to have a go in a VC10 which was my childhood favourite. They still keep flyng over my house on their occasional visits to Waddington.
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Old 2nd Sep 2010, 07:44
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Sultan Ismail,

Found 3 photos of 9V-BAS, 9M-AOB & 9M-AOE. Quality not that good but all 3 them show similar markings and all appear to have been taken in the same place.

Unfortunately there are no details on the back of the photos and I cannot recall where these photos originated from. Hopefully someone will be able to identify the location.





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Old 2nd Sep 2010, 08:27
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Sultan Ismail.
Do you have more details on the back of that photograph such as date and place? I am intrigued by the single name Malaysian which is post Malayan-Singapore Airlines, yet it appears to sport the logo of the Federated States, the crossed flags.
Seems that Malaysian was pre MSA.

Name Changes. The airline saw its name changed twice due to political shifts. In 1963, the creation of the Federation of Malaysia prompted a change of name to "Malaysian Airways". Singapore's expulsion from the federation in 1965 led to another name change in 1966 to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) when the two separate governments took joint ownership of the airline.
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Old 2nd Sep 2010, 14:58
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I can recall a trip (TWA 747) from Heathrow to Chicago in 1988, where we taxied out past a grounded Comet used for fire training (had this been G-APDT ?), and taxied in at O'Hare past another Comet, N999WA. It seemed a surprising coincidence at the time to pass two of the type a continent apart when they had otherwise long disappeared from life. Both were long-time servers with Mexicana.
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Old 2nd Sep 2010, 16:39
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but it must have been a noisy blighter in the cabin??
Quite the contrary, mate. While it was without all the modern comforts it was great!

RR
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Old 3rd Sep 2010, 04:21
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A few more from the 60s of this wonderful aircraft. (Sorry about the poor quality)









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Old 4th Sep 2010, 07:06
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Comet pictures

Not the best angle but she was a dear old girl!

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Old 4th Sep 2010, 12:20
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Brings back happy memories working on 'canopus' in late seventies, and also a couple of 'jollies'. One crew training trip and one long trials flight. And that hyd fluid certainly kept you regular.......
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Old 5th Sep 2010, 20:50
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As a young ATC cadet, I managed to fly in two Comet Mk.2s and all five Comet 4Cs operated by 216 Squadron from RAF Lyneham. Absolute magic!

The Malaysian Comet photos posted above are all taken at Paya Lebar Airport, Singapore, I would guess late '60s.
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Old 8th Sep 2010, 01:13
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ZFT

Thank you for the extra pictures of the Malaysian Comets. Taking into account the comment of Forget I am pretty certain that the airport is Sungai Besi.

A discussion with a colleague just a few days ago revealed the existence of an 8mm film of the Comet taking off from Sungai Besi. We are trying to get this onto video and will publish it when available.

The dimensions of the current Sungai Besi Runway are exactly as they were in the '60's so anyone who has a knowledge of that airfield will understand my interest. Today it has highrise buildings on approach to Runway 22 and two double track elevated railway lines with 25KV overhead catenary on the boundary of Runway 04. Needless to say the thresholds are deeply displaced.

I have never flown or even wanted to fly in the Comet but it did play a pivotal role in my early education. I had passed the 11+ exam in primary school and was called for interview to the local Grammar School where I appeared before a selection committee. The Headmaster asked what I knew of the Comet, well that was my subject and I launched into the story of the first commercial flight to Johannesburg which had taken place a few weeks earlier. I recall a centre spread of "Eagle" which depicted the cutaway of the Comet as it flew over Victoria Falls.

I was selected for the place at Grammar School.
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Old 8th Sep 2010, 06:53
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Of the Malaysian photos, the middle photo may well be Sungai Besi, but the two others are definately at Paya Lebar, Singapore, which was unique in having the edge of its apron marked out in black and yellow blocks, which can clearly be seen in these photos.
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Old 8th Sep 2010, 08:22
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I agree with Amos. Even the background rings a 60's bell.
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Old 8th Sep 2010, 21:38
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Unhappy

It looks as if Mexicana will soon be no more.
This statement is true, yet very, very sad.
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Old 12th Sep 2010, 09:24
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Started clearing out another drawer and low and behold, found these. Again no idea as to their origins. The registration is obviously false and the Comet 4C decal is of course non BOAC but could this be the Seattle Comet?

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Old 12th Sep 2010, 09:35
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Yes indeed, this is the Seattle Comet 4C in false BOAC marks, which is being restored back to its correct Mexicana scheme.
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Old 12th Sep 2010, 09:37
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Started clearing out another drawer and low and behold, found these. Again no idea as to their origins. The registration is obviously false and the Comet 4C decal is of course non BOAC but could this be the Seattle Comet?
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