This aeroplane, a De Havilland Comet 4C, was built in 1962 for RAF Transport Command. It was purchased by Dan-Air in 1975 when it was converted for charter use. It was removed from service in 1980. The aircraft flew the last flight of a Comet in civil commercial colours when it arrived at the Museum of Flight at East Fortune in East Lothian from Lasham in Hampshire in September 1981.
The airliner has four Rolls-Royce Avon jet engines mounted in the wing roots. With the Roal Air Force the interior was configured for VIP transport duties with two rows of two seats either side of the aisle. Dan Air modified the interior by adding an extra row of seats increasing the seating to 119 and it is displayed in this configuration.
The De Havilland DH106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner. It had a cruising speed of 490mph at 35,000ft with four Rolls-Royce Ghost engines. Before production ceased, eight versions had been developed and its range at full capacity stretched from 1,750 to 2,650 miles. At the same time its weight had increased from 107,000 pounds to 162,000 pounds in the 4c version. The DH106 first flew in 1949, and the last flight of a Comet 4C was made in 1996. However, the design was the basis for the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod Maritime Patrol aircraft still in RAF service.
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