Comet wingtips
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Comet wingtips
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
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
I've dug this up in the archives: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/391374-comet-2-mystery-compartment-wing-tips.html
Last edited by Jhieminga; 15th Jul 2012 at 18:14.
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I have a short documentary on tape. It may be still available
Sky Traders - Hammer
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.
Sky Traders - Hammer
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.
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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?)
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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
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
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Thanks for the confirmation BOAC73....were you one of these? 
BOAC 1971 Apprentices2 by topemup, on Flickr
BOAC 1971 Apprentices2 by topemup, on Flickr
Last edited by A30yoyo; 21st Jul 2012 at 17:59.
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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.
Best regards,
B73.
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?
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?
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Anybody on PPRuNe able to confirm the details?
From The D.H Comet by Martin Painter Air Britain publications.
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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 
Last edited by Limeygal; 10th Sep 2012 at 19:27.
