The unique class arrangements, depending on the density, varied from 70 to 81 passengers, although the accommodation increased later to 100. A pressure differential of 8.75 PSI produced an atmosphere of 8,000 feet to a 43,000 -feet cruise altitude.
The way in which comet 1 had launched the age of the jet and the programmed plane service inaugurated, it only seemed logical, to do the same throughout the Atlantic, perhaps demonstrating the legitimate achievement of the plane.
Piloted by Captain Roy Millichap, a G-APDC plane was accessed by a mobile boarding ladder, in front of which there was an arc that proclaimed: “Boac Comet 4: First Transatlantic Jet service.” Dispegated from these access stairs, the plane began its Rolls Royce Rolls Royce turbines of wing screams and became aware of its parking position at 09:55, rolling to the threshold of the track, during which the list was completed of prior verification to the take and the posterior edge. The fins extended.
Now, in him, he symbolically represented the threshold of the restoled reaction and the beginning of another new era-that of pure jet service in the Atlantic Ocean. Opening their accelerators, which unleashed a thunderous roar of their four drive pound engines of 10,500, began its acceleration run, a trip that had taken more than four years in creation from the bases of the early commission. Generating enough elevation, staggered on his main wheels while his nose pointed to heaven and gave himself to heaven, now bound for North America, just leaving the four smoke paths that faded behind their existence. His extended wings would take him through the ocean.
In many ways, the event remembered the homonym of Geoffrey of Havilland “that of Havilland”, which had initially failed, but then ascended to victory, incorporating the lessons he taught. Both triumphed over the elements, the airplanes of other manufacturers and their own deficiencies. Although comet 1 was now history, however, it was, in a strange way, present in spirit and innovation. Like people, he struggled to become the best version of herself and much higher than her original conception.
Briefly captivating in Gander, Newfoundland, to refuel. He went to New York-Idlewild, successfully completing his second triumph. Aircraft G-APDB, operating the first transatlantic crossing to the east, did it without stopping, landing in London after only six hours, 12 minutes, competing and surpassing Pan American, which inaugurated its own Jet 707-121 service three weeks Then, October of October. 26, 1958 with “Clipper America”, driven by four Pratt and Whitney JT3C-6 and N711PA registered. Destined, on the other hand, for Paris, he also made a fuel replenishment stop in Gander.
For November 13, the London-New York route operated every day and Comet 4 also extended its wings to Montreal, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Malaya, Australia, South Africa and South America for when the 19 Ordered aircraft. January 11, 1960. They collectively toured 4,700 air monthly hours, covering 487,000 weekly miles.
Boac flew its comet 4 fleet until November 24, 1965, at which time it was replaced by 707-420 with Rolls Royce Conway engine, and were acquired by the area of Ecuador, Dan-Air of London and Malaysia-Singapore Airlines .
Program perspective
The history of Havilland DH comet. 106 is an intriguing account, but difficult to conclude, since its early history was plagued by doubts and mortality, questioning the integrity of its engineering and design. The darkness of defeat, of course, finally led to the light of victory.
While the planes, as evaluated, is invariably compared to others, there were no others with which the kite could be equated for the evaluation, since it was the first and became, to some extent, in the standard with which others They compared. As a pure jet plane, he was the first, the pioneer and the catalyst of the Age of the Chorro. When placed in the shadow of the previous pistonliners, he offered leaps in technology, speed and altitude. However, when it was placed next to the reaction planes that followed, it became its shadow due to its limited range, excess noise and fuel consumption, and small pay load.
As a result, being first represents and reduces any comparison with an without validity or importance. To pave the road, even in the air, often implies unexpected falls, as the aircraft certainly experienced, since it was based on aerodynamics and technology, then known and, unfortunately, I needed first hand, if not fatal, experience, for Expose the limitations based on it.
