de Havilland Comet 1XB G-APAS

Airliner By: de Havilland Origin: United Kingdom First Flight: 1949
de Havilland Comet 1XB G-APAS

About This Aircraft

The de Havilland Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner. This aircraft, G-APAS, is a Comet 1XB, a modified version of the original Comet 1. The 1XB designation indicates it was one of two ex-Royal Canadian Air Force Comet 1A airframes (originally G-ALZJ and G-ALZK) that were structurally reinforced and used by the RAF for vital research and development after the initial tragic accidents grounded the Comet 1 fleet. These airframes had their original Ghost engines replaced with more powerful Avon engines. Though it never flew commercially, G-APAS played a crucial role in understanding metal fatigue and improving aircraft design, paving the way for the redesigned and highly successful Comet 4 and the future of safe jet travel.

Museums Featuring This Aircraft

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