Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Misc. Forums > Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)
Reload this Page >

'Comet' low over J18 on the M1 yesterday

Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner) If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.

'Comet' low over J18 on the M1 yesterday

Old 31st Mar 2010, 09:25
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Hertfordshire U.K.
Age: 64
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'Comet' low over J18 on the M1 yesterday

Can anyone shed any light on what has been described by a work colleague, as a 'Green DH Comet' seen low over the M1 between J18 & J19 yesterday.

Regards

John
drawbarz is offline  
Old 31st Mar 2010, 09:56
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Going north on the M1 just past J19 yesterday afternoon I saw a RAF C-130 come low down on my right. Although cannot see how it looks similar. Was about time 15.45-16.00.
Teaboy24 is offline  
Old 31st Mar 2010, 10:16
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Bedfordshire
Age: 43
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Surely a Nimrod? Unless 'Canopus' has managed to somehow get airborne out of Bruntingthorpe.....
No comment is offline  
Old 31st Mar 2010, 10:35
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: UK
Age: 62
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A Nimrod MR2 from Kinloss did overshoots at several RAF bases in England yesterday.It was on it's final flight before the type is retired today.
Certainly not "green" though,it would either be hemp or dark grey.
Big Eric is offline  
Old 31st Mar 2010, 10:36
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No Comets flying, least of all green ones.

A Nimrod has been touring the UK doing fly-bys at various airfields.
HEATHROW DIRECTOR is offline  
Old 31st Mar 2010, 11:38
  #6 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Hertfordshire U.K.
Age: 64
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks guys,

John
drawbarz is offline  
Old 2nd Apr 2010, 16:23
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: england
Age: 80
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Exclamation NIMROD

It seems to have missed Woodford, it were made there.
obnoxious is offline  
Old 3rd Apr 2010, 11:32
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Green thing - up in the air

Are there really gentlefolk out there, who appear to have made a fair number of posts - an implied aviation interest - who don't know what a Nimrod is/was! I look forward to the 'it was dark black with four very noisy engines and possibly two rudders and low over East Kirby', what was it question. Do try and keep up!
Fournierf5 is offline  
Old 4th Apr 2010, 19:51
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North of Watford Gap
Age: 38
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Let's not forget the DH 88 Comet!
de Havilland DH.88 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Several light twin piston aircraft could be mistaken for this, rather than the much rarer Comet airliner.
John Alcock is offline  
Old 4th Apr 2010, 21:05
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OK John... When was the last time the DH88 flew?
HEATHROW DIRECTOR is offline  
Old 4th Apr 2010, 23:51
  #11 (permalink)  

Ich bin ein Prooner.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Home of the Full Monty.
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
H D,
I don't know when the DH88 last flew, but I remember I used to see the Nimrod AEW regularly on Friday afternoon/evenings going over my patch back to Woodford, and that was about mid-eighties.
I mention that because about that time, one summer-ish evening, I heard an aircraft sound that wasn't familiar with normal traffic hereabouts, and went outside to look, and, rapidly disappearing in the same direction as the Nimrod usually went, was an aircraft that I could only think of as the DH88, but such a thing was unheard of 'oop north'.
However, I had the idea to phone Old Warden, not knowing if anyone would still be there, as it was around 6-ish in the evening as I recall.
Luckily, someone answered. I put to them what I thought I had seen, and they said 'Yes, that's right, the Comet was en route to Woodford to take part in a Families Air day the following day.
So, I'm one of the lucky ones, I've seen it flying. As I said, my best memory is that it was mid-eighties.
I assume from your answer above that you know when the last flight took place. Are you going to let us in on it?
Noah Zark. is offline  
Old 5th Apr 2010, 07:01
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No, I don't know when it last flew, but suspect it wasn't long after your sighting.
HEATHROW DIRECTOR is offline  
Old 5th Apr 2010, 23:09
  #13 (permalink)  

Ich bin ein Prooner.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Home of the Full Monty.
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just out of curiosity, I have emailed Old Warden to ask. I will post any reply I receive.
Noah Zark. is offline  
Old 6th Apr 2010, 00:41
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lincs
Posts: 2,307
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A quick search on the web came up with the following:

G-ACSS

'There the restoration to flying condition began culminating in the first flight of G-ACSS for 49 years in 1987. It flew until the closure of Hatfield airfield in 1993 but was kept in taxiable condition at Old Warden. The extension of the runway there lead to a complete overhaul of the aircraft and it will take to the air again in 2002.'

GINFO Search Results | Aircraft Register | Safety Regulation

'Total Hours: 549 at 31/12/1993
Permit to Fly Validity Expiry: 02/06/1994'

Landing accident 2002:

On 28 October 2002 G-ACSS was taken for a test flight for the purpose of obtaining a Permit to Fly. On landing the aircraft suffered severe damage to the right landing gear, minor damage to right engine, nacelle and wing-tip.

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...pdf_028728.pdf

Video of taxi run during 2008

YouTube - De Havilland DH.88 Comet taxi run

TJ
TEEEJ is offline  
Old 6th Apr 2010, 05:56
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Dorset UK
Age: 70
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 12 Posts
In about 1992 or 93 I saw the DH88 Comet and Boscombe Down's DH106 Comet being filmed together from a C-130 over Geoffrey De Havilland's house whilst I was on the M25.
I think this may have been to do with some aniversary.
Is the film available anywhere? I can't find it on youtube.
dixi188 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.