Shuttleworth's de Havilland DH.88 Comet flies again!

[High flier]

Fantastic news! On Friday 1st August, the de Havilland DH.88 Comet Air racer flew for the first time in 12 years! Hopefully it'll start appearing at some air shows. What a fantastic looking plane .

Article here: http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/08/0...

Shuttleworths Facebook page also has a few of the pics here: https://www.facebook.com/ShuttleworthCollection?re...

[Eric Mc]

Great to have her back. I saw her flying in 1993 and 1994.

[ecsrobin]

A beautiful looking aircraft. I look forward to seeing it flying soon.

[Simpo Two]

Damn they had some good shapes in those days.

Although that is another example, in the hands of the little-known ShuttleWOTH Collection

[High flier]

Simpo Two said:

Damn they had some good shapes in those days.

Although that is another example, in the hands of the little-known ShuttleWOTH Collection

Haha! You had me thinking I'd made a typo there! Took a few seconds to see it on the pic!
They really did know how to make stunning planes, along with most other things back then didn't they!

[Hooli]

Excellent news about a bloody lovely looking aircraft.

[FourWheelDrift]

Anyone know the status of it's sister Black Magic? It was being restored to flying condition as well.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I drive past this memorial to a great plane regularly

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

[High flier]

FourWheelDrift said:

Anyone know the status of it's sister Black Magic? It was being restored to flying condition as well.

Still on-going by the looks of it: http://www.cometracer.co.uk/

[eharding]

If you haven't already done so, obtain and read a copy of A.E.Clouston's "The Dangerous Skies"

For example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dangerous-Skies-A-E-Cl...

(No, that isn't my copy. Mine isn't for sale)

Absolutely cracking stuff. I'd like to think the rear cockpit of Grosvenor House still has the faint tang of 1938-vintage chunder from the journo throwing up into his portable typewriter as described therein.

[forsure]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I drive past this memorial to a great plane regularly

So do I; wasn't there once a similar model hanging from the ceiling of the 'Galleria'? Wonder where that is now?

[Eric Mc]

eharding said:

If you haven't already done so, obtain and read a copy of A.E.Clouston's "The Dangerous Skies"

For example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dangerous-Skies-A-E-Cl...

(No, that isn't my copy. Mine isn't for sale)

Absolutely cracking stuff. I'd like to think the rear cockpit of Grosvenor House still has the faint tang of 1938-vintage chunder from the journo throwing up into his portable typewriter as described therein.

I bought that book when I was about ten years old. I still have it too.

Just around the corner from, me in Farnborough is "Clouston Road" - which I am sure is called after A E Clouston - who worked as a test pilot at Farnborough.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

forsure said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I drive past this memorial to a great plane regularly

So do I; wasn't there once a similar model hanging from the ceiling of the 'Galleria'? Wonder where that is now?

I'd forgotten about the Galleria (not being much into shopping )

[anonymous-user]

Such a beautiful aircraft, was it just funds that kept it grounded? Article seemed to suggest it flew briefly in 2002?

[Eric Mc]

It's actually a very tricky aeroplane to fly. Those wings, which look so nice, are very, very prone to tip stall. You need to keep your wits about you.

[Cyder]

Took the mx5 for a blast this morning and ended up at Old Warden and Grosvenor House was visible in the hanger. A glorious looking aircraft that I can't wait to see fly at some point.

[FourWheelDrift]

el stovey said:

Such a beautiful aircraft, was it just funds that kept it grounded? Article seemed to suggest it flew briefly in 2002?

I think it got damaged landing a few years back.

[High flier]

FourWheelDrift said:

el stovey said:

Such a beautiful aircraft, was it just funds that kept it grounded? Article seemed to suggest it flew briefly in 2002?

I think it got damaged landing a few years back.

Indeedy. It was restored, and on it's first flight it was damaged on landing.

[anonymous-user]

High flier said:

Indeedy. It was restored, and on it's first flight it was damaged on landing.

Must be difficult with these rare old types. No pilots notes no manuals, nobody around who has flown them. Added to that, they often have interesting handling characteristics.