Canopus by debbielove

Photography • Aviation • posted on Dec 28, 2012

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Description

Greeting Folks.. Here is the first 'big' one after Christmas.. Put together with loving care for you all with slightly wobbly hands lol Here you see 'Canopus', a De Havilland Comet 4C, Ex of 216 Squadron RAF, and after that (as you can see) used by The Royal Aircraft Establishment.. This was THE LAST Comet to fly anywhere in the world! The Comet 4 was a further improvement on the stretched Comet 3 with even greater fuel capacity. The design had progressed significantly from the original Comet 1, growing by 18 ft 6 in and typically seating 74 to 81 passengers compared to the Comet 1's 36 to 44 (119 passengers could be accommodated in a special charter seating package in the later 4C series). The Comet 4 was considered the definitive series, having a longer range, higher cruising speed and higher maximum takeoff weight. These improvements were possible largely because of Avon engines with twice the thrust of the Comet 1's Ghosts. The last two Comet 4C fuselages were used to build prototypes of the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft. (Still the best ever Maritime Patrol Aircraft ever dis-used! Idiots!). A Comet 4C (SA-R-7) was ordered by Saudi Arabian Airlines with eventual disposition to the Saudi Royal Flight for the exclusive use of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz. Extensively modified at the factory, the aircraft included a VIP front cabin, a bed, special toilets with gold fittings and was distinguished by a resplendent green, gold and white colour scheme with polished wings and lower fuselage that was commissioned from aviation artist John Stroud. Following its first flight, the special order Comet 4C was described as 'the world's first executive jet'. This aircraft, now lovingly maintained at Bruntinthorpe Airfield, is slowly being upgraded to airworthy condition... It is now used for Fast Taxi Runs.. Seen here just returning from one, note the well place non-safety barriers! Nice huh? Enjoy Rob

Comments (18)

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magnus073

12:03PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

Great-looking capture Rob, that really is one massive plane

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Richardphotos

12:18PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

I would imagine that it costs a fortune just to warm the engines. superb captures of a piece of aviation history

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flavia49

12:40PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

excellent capture!

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neiwil

1:29PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

The big daddy of passenger planes....the first, the best and BRITISH!!! and it still looks better than most current passenger aircraft..I love the idea of some officious H&S 'bod' in an office, who's nervous tic gets that bit worse every time you post one of these 'Brunts' pictures...LoL!! :-) All the best mate...

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Buffalo1

4:59PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

I would love to see this Comet take to the air. Real airplane history here!

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goodoleboy

6:32PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

OMG, that is one old Mother of a commercial jet. Interesting to see the long tube of a fuselage. If not for the jet engines it would look like any of the propeller driven airliners previous to this one. Anyway, your loving care brought out the best in these photos, Rob.

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Faemike55

8:13PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

Sweet capture and wonderful information

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blinkings

8:14PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

Nice mate. I can't say I have ever photographed one of these.

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weesel

8:34PM | Fri, 28 December 2012

NIMROD! Of course! I thought this airframe looked familiar. Nice image and nice write-up. Thanks.

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bmac62

1:10AM | Sat, 29 December 2012

Nicely done Rob...Tara and I have been in a 4C...have you? Just bragging a bit to see if I can stir you up a little...heh, heh.

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2121

4:09AM | Sat, 29 December 2012

Cool shots mate.Now was it orange and now red ?..or is that the just the photos ?..great info as always

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dakotabluemoon

7:33AM | Sat, 29 December 2012

Wow that is a huge airliner but a real beauty nice capture hon.

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Rainastorm

8:17AM | Sat, 29 December 2012

:-)

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Maxidyne

9:05AM | Sat, 29 December 2012

I really can't get enough of these Comet's. What a real beauty this mate and I have to echo Neil, this really is The Best Of British!!! I must render another one of these soon :)

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