Taken at Old Warden last year at their first ever 'Meet the' event (now a regular as it was so popular), the idea being before the flying you were allowed total access to aircraft flying that day, including meeting the pilots.. This is the DH.88 Comet, the original Comet one of only three built.. The aircraft were built solely to enter the England (Mildenhall) to Melbourne Australia Air Race (The Macpherson Airace). Nothing else.. At the time there was no other British Aircraft capable of putting up a challenge in the race, so de Havilland designed this.. Cost was £5,000 each (around £326,000 now). It was a tight fit for the pilot and powered by a Gypsy Six engine that could keep it at altitude if one failed.. But, it had one pitch basically, that go! No option, it was designed to race fast.. So it had take off and get to speed and altitude quickly.. (Having seen it fly now, it still flies very fast indeed!) 17 aircraft started the race, including a DC2 and various Fairy Fox aircraft.. Two other Comets entered as well, including 'Black Magic' which is being restored.. She retired in Allahabad.. G-ACSS, painted red, was the property of Mr A. O. Edwards and was named Grosvenor House after the hotel which he managed. The crew were C. W. A. Scott and Tom Campbell Black. When the Mollisons ran into problems at Karachi, Scott and Campbell Black took over the lead and were first into Allahabad. Despite a severe storm over the Bay of Bengal they reached Singapore safely, eight hours ahead of the DC-2. 'House' took off for Darwin, but over the Timor Sea lost power in the port engine when the oil pressure dropped to zero. Repairs at Darwin got them going again, although continuing oil warnings caused them to fly the last two legs with one engine throttled back. Their lead was unassailable despite this, and after the final mandatory stop and more engine work at Charleville they flew on to cross the finish line at Flemington Racecourse at 3.33 p.m. (local time) on 23 October. Their official time was 71 hours 18 seconds. During the race and return trip, the aircraft broke 5 world records.. The MoD at one time thought of using it as a light bomber, but changed their mind.. You have to wonder given the Fairy Battle 'event', if that was wise? Rob P.S. Inside Cockpit shot if you'd like?