DH88 Comet.
Thread Starter
DH88 Comet.
Great to see that Old Warden's Comet G-ACSS has just flown again for the first time in many years. This is an iconic, legendary, original machine - if much rebuilt. It's wonderful to both see and hear and a tangible reminder of those halcyon pre-war days. This a/c has a barrel-load of history.
She's had the original tailskid refitted too, which will make life easier.
There are some very nice photos on Flickr HERE;-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitw...h/14616434007/
I'm already dusting-off my picnic hamper....!!!!
She's had the original tailskid refitted too, which will make life easier.
There are some very nice photos on Flickr HERE;-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitw...h/14616434007/
I'm already dusting-off my picnic hamper....!!!!
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cheshire
Age: 62
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I paid a visit to Egginton aerodrome in June and saw G-ACSP in the workshop there. I only saw the fuselage and it had a recently remanufactured canopy frame fitted. I was told it will fly again in the future but progress appears slow...
Glad to read that!
Now that it can fly from Old Warden (I understand), as you say, the tailskid can be reinstated. When it was restored, it flew from Hatfield which had a paved runway and taxi-ways, so a wheel was essential.
Many's the time I saw it taxi past the office window in 1987-92 and wondered that the original designer placed so little value in forward vision when the design mission involved so many landings/take-offs at racecourses and other non-aerodromes!
In the air, with the wheels up however . . . .
Now that it can fly from Old Warden (I understand), as you say, the tailskid can be reinstated. When it was restored, it flew from Hatfield which had a paved runway and taxi-ways, so a wheel was essential.
Many's the time I saw it taxi past the office window in 1987-92 and wondered that the original designer placed so little value in forward vision when the design mission involved so many landings/take-offs at racecourses and other non-aerodromes!
In the air, with the wheels up however . . . .
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Colonel LK (Keith) Hatfield DFC AM (US)
Managing director of Groupair and Casey Airfield Berwick, Victoria, from 1968 to 1994, died last year aged 94.
Keith used to tell the story of his dad taking him to Laverton (near Melbourne) in 1934 to see the race aircraft that had arrived from Mildenhall.
Charles Scott was there, seeing that the Comet was put away securely in the RAAF hangar. He climbed up on the wing to retrieve his small overnight bag, then as he jumped down one of the press gang hovering around asked him how he liked flying this hot-rod. Scott glared at the man and stated in his perfect Eton tones . .. "Damn death trap of an aeroplane . . . I will not be sorry
if I never clap eyes on the bastard again." . . and strode out of the hangar
to the car waiting to take him and Tom Campbell Black in to Melbourne and the hotel beds they so desperately needed.
Keith made a diary note that night. . . so we may be sure there is nothing apocryphal about this one.
Managing director of Groupair and Casey Airfield Berwick, Victoria, from 1968 to 1994, died last year aged 94.
Keith used to tell the story of his dad taking him to Laverton (near Melbourne) in 1934 to see the race aircraft that had arrived from Mildenhall.
Charles Scott was there, seeing that the Comet was put away securely in the RAAF hangar. He climbed up on the wing to retrieve his small overnight bag, then as he jumped down one of the press gang hovering around asked him how he liked flying this hot-rod. Scott glared at the man and stated in his perfect Eton tones . .. "Damn death trap of an aeroplane . . . I will not be sorry
if I never clap eyes on the bastard again." . . and strode out of the hangar
to the car waiting to take him and Tom Campbell Black in to Melbourne and the hotel beds they so desperately needed.
Keith made a diary note that night. . . so we may be sure there is nothing apocryphal about this one.
Up close and personal with a Comet
On a cold, miserable December day in the 70s, I visited Old Warden for the first time, specifically to take some photos of their 504K.
Whilst there, I spent a lot of time looking around and chatting with the staff. At one point, I was having a mug of tea with one of the engineers who was working on G-ACSS. The main spar was on some trestles and I can't remember the details, but we were either sitting on it, resting against it or placed our cups on it!
An occasion I always remember when seeing a picture of the Comet.
Whilst there, I spent a lot of time looking around and chatting with the staff. At one point, I was having a mug of tea with one of the engineers who was working on G-ACSS. The main spar was on some trestles and I can't remember the details, but we were either sitting on it, resting against it or placed our cups on it!
An occasion I always remember when seeing a picture of the Comet.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There once was an old codger who'd served in the RFC. A fitter. He's stripped the fittings in the WC.
An old wooden dunny seat that had supported many an arse over the years
he turned into a trophy. It hung on the wall that all might wonder.What did it mean?
Little brass tags were attached round the annulus. Annulus peripheral. Date central.
Upon the little plaques were engraved the names of those to whom the the trophy had been
awarded. To qualify required that the recipient was undergoing some prolonged ordeal involving
an unusual degree of discomfort. To be able to function under pressure was certainly paramount.
Engraved on a larger plaque top centre was the name that the old fitter fella had given to his creation.
THE PERPETUAL STRAIN TROPHY
An old wooden dunny seat that had supported many an arse over the years
he turned into a trophy. It hung on the wall that all might wonder.What did it mean?
Little brass tags were attached round the annulus. Annulus peripheral. Date central.
Upon the little plaques were engraved the names of those to whom the the trophy had been
awarded. To qualify required that the recipient was undergoing some prolonged ordeal involving
an unusual degree of discomfort. To be able to function under pressure was certainly paramount.
Engraved on a larger plaque top centre was the name that the old fitter fella had given to his creation.
THE PERPETUAL STRAIN TROPHY
Last edited by FAR CU; 3rd Aug 2014 at 06:50.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,618
Received 293 Likes
on
161 Posts
I think it was Dodge Bailey. is George Ellis still flying? I'd like to think so..
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cornwall UK
Age: 79
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mildenhall 1934 photos
Thread Starter
Yes, 'Dangerous Skies'....an excellent read... Incidentally, a pal of mine knew Clouston very well. Apparently, the correct pronunciation for his moniker was 'Clewston'. Who'd have thought it.... 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Bury St. Edmunds
Age: 64
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wasn't it Dickie Martin who carried out the test flying for the Shuttleworth Collection's restoration in the late 70's?
Dickie I think did the first flight at Hatfield after a lengthy re-build before bringing her "home". I remember him displaying various types in the 1970's particularly the Gladiator and the Spitfire. Happy days; he passed on aged 88 8 years ago and I was at his memorial service. A great man.
MB
Dickie I think did the first flight at Hatfield after a lengthy re-build before bringing her "home". I remember him displaying various types in the 1970's particularly the Gladiator and the Spitfire. Happy days; he passed on aged 88 8 years ago and I was at his memorial service. A great man.
MB
First post-war flight Sunday 17 May 1987 from Hatfield with George Ellis at the controls.
While checking those details noticed that Sir Allan Butler, former Chairman of de Havillands died a week later.
PM
While checking those details noticed that Sir Allan Butler, former Chairman of de Havillands died a week later.
PM
