UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg

[Joseph Testagrose]

[Andrew Chaplin]

Joseph Testagrose > wrote in
:

>
> begin 644 UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg
>
> Attachment decoded: UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg
> `
> end
>

This was a civil aircraft, wasn't it? What's it doing with an RAF "K"
number?
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)

[arjay]

"Andrew Chaplin" > wrote in message
...
> Joseph Testagrose > wrote in
> :
>>
>> begin 644 UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg
>>
>> Attachment decoded: UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg
>> `
>> end
>
> This was a civil aircraft, wasn't it? What's it doing with an RAF "K"
> number?

Google produces some confusing/contradictory information regarding this
craft.
Apparently it's one of three made in 1934, purpose-built to compete in the
MacRobertson Air Race -- RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia to Flemington
Racecourse, Melbourne.
Two of the three aircraft completed the course.
That pictured is G-ACSS, dubbed "Grosvenor House" after the hotel managed by
the craft's owner. Outright winner of the race, in 71 hours. (Next best
time, a DC-2 in 90 hours 13 minutes.)
As of 2010 Grosvenor House is back in her racing colours -- witness Joseph's
next posted photo.
By report she has been restored to flying condition and is housed at the
Shuttleworth Collection.
Condensed from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_DH.88

Apparently De Havilland touted the design to the RAF as a fast, light bomber
and this one was acquired for trials. While rejected, it seems to have been
one of the immediate ancestors of the Mosquito.
See below for a reference to the 'K' number. The final sentence is
obviously incorrect (it wasn't scrapped) or incomplete (sold to whom?).

"G-ACSS Grosvenor House was acquired by the Air Ministry and painted
aluminum. It got the RAF serial K-5084. During the tests at the RAF at
Martlesham it twice suffered a collapsed undercarriage. After the first
collapse it was fitted with enlarged air intakes. After the second crash in
September 1936 it was sold as scrap."
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?51230-De-Havilland-Dh88-Comet-K-5084

> --
> Andrew Chaplin
> SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
> (If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)

[Andrew Chaplin]

"arjay" > wrote in
m:

> "Andrew Chaplin" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Joseph Testagrose > wrote in
>> :
>>>
>>> begin 644 UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg
>>>
>>> Attachment decoded: UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg
>>> `
>>> end
>>
>> This was a civil aircraft, wasn't it? What's it doing with an RAF "K"
>> number?
>
> Google produces some confusing/contradictory information regarding
> this craft.
> Apparently it's one of three made in 1934, purpose-built to compete in
> the MacRobertson Air Race -- RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia to
> Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
> Two of the three aircraft completed the course.
> That pictured is G-ACSS, dubbed "Grosvenor House" after the hotel
> managed by the craft's owner. Outright winner of the race, in 71
> hours. (Next best time, a DC-2 in 90 hours 13 minutes.)
> As of 2010 Grosvenor House is back in her racing colours -- witness
> Joseph's next posted photo.
> By report she has been restored to flying condition and is housed at
> the Shuttleworth Collection.
> Condensed from:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_DH.88
>
> Apparently De Havilland touted the design to the RAF as a fast, light
> bomber and this one was acquired for trials. While rejected, it seems
> to have been one of the immediate ancestors of the Mosquito.
> See below for a reference to the 'K' number. The final sentence is
> obviously incorrect (it wasn't scrapped) or incomplete (sold to
> whom?).
>
> "G-ACSS Grosvenor House was acquired by the Air Ministry and painted
> aluminum. It got the RAF serial K-5084. During the tests at the RAF at
> Martlesham it twice suffered a collapsed undercarriage. After the
> first collapse it was fitted with enlarged air intakes. After the
> second crash in September 1936 it was sold as scrap."
> http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?51230-De-Havilland
> -Dh88-Comet-K-5084

Whatever was going on, it was one of DH's more attractive a/c. AIUI, it
was one of the most fuel efficient a/c of its time.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)