Aviation Articles

An RAF Comet of 216 Squadron. Feature Premium

On-board an RAF Comet training flight to Africa in 1957

A revealing account of RAF Comet operations from the May 17, 1957 issue of The Aeroplane

De Havilland Comet: The airliner that changed aviation forever

On Sir Geoffrey de Havilland’s 67th birthday in 1949, the aircraft that propelled the world into the jet age took to the skies for the first time. Key Aero examines the history of the revolutionary DH.106 Comet

Historic Aviation Quiz: The de Havilland Comet

When de Havilland’s elegant Comet took to the skies for the first time, it heralded a new age – jet travel. With July 27, 2023 marking the 74th anniversary of that first flight, we dedicate this week’s quiz to the type that made the already shirking world even smaller…

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Channel Airways - the story behind the 1960s low-cost trailblazer

The golden livery on its jets wasn’t Channel Airways’ own invention, but a low-fare, maximum-utilisation concept was. Sadly, as the late Bruce Hales-Dutton found out, it wasn’t enough to save this brave British independent carrier 

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Avro Canada C-102: the world's second jet airliner you've never heard of

Pete London charts the rise and fall of the ill-fated Avro Canada C-102 Jetliner, an aircraft years ahead of its time and unrivalled in performance that could have revolutionised short- and medium-haul travel

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Bruntingthorpe: What next for aviation’s land that time forgot?

For three decades, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, or ‘Brunty’ as it affectionately became known, established itself as a haven for Cold War aircraft and those interested in them. Jake Wallace looks at the site’s past, present and future

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De Havilland's ten greatest aircraft: do you agree?

Steve Beebee attempts the impossible – picking out the ten greatest aircraft from the immortal de Havilland stable

Sir Miles Thomas (right) chats with Captain Alderson, under whose able eye all B.O.A.C.'s flight operational development work for the Comet has been done. Capt. Alderson is flanked by Capts. E. E. Rodley (left) and A. R. Majendie (right). Deputy Chairman Whitney Straight is on the left. Feature Premium

BOAC Chairman’s Comet insights

The Chairman of BOAC gave his view from the top on the first jetliner as the Comet entered commercial service in this article he penned for ‘The Aeroplane’s’ May 2, 1952 issue

Comet 4, XX944, of the Royal Aircraft Establishment over Hampshire. It first flew as G-APDP on May 25, 1959 and was delivered to BOAC.  Following a very brief spell with Dan-Air she was sold to the MOD in May 1973 and spent two years on Nimrod development before eventually being scrapped in 1984.  Jeremy Flack/API Feature Premium

The diverse roles undertaken by UK military Comets

Well known as a pioneering civilian jet airliner, the de Havilland Comet also enjoyed an often overlooked military service. In the September 2016 issue of Aviation News, Kevin Wright reviewed the type’s RAF history and talked to some of those who operated the aircraft

At Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia, Northward- and Southward-bound Comets were photographed together. Feature Premium

Rare Photos of BOAC Comets in Africa

Prior to the Comet entering service BOAC undertook route familiarization flights in Africa. Depicted are some stunning colour photos from the May 2, 1952 issue of ‘The Aeroplane’