Talk:De Havilland Comet

New DAB page?
Comet (aircraft) redirects here, and we have a dab note to de Havilland DH.88 Comet (and vice versa). But the Japanese dive bomber Yokosuka D4Y also was called "Comet" (in Japanese, but also sometimes in translation). Should we create a suitable disambiguation page? I was looking for the Japanese Comet, and only found it via Google... --Stephan Schulz (talk) 13:48, 17 June 2022 (UTC)


 * You can add the other aircraft to the dab hatnote, much more effective than setting up disambig. GraemeLeggett (talk) 14:54, 17 June 2022 (UTC).


 * There is also the Cessna Comet, Hockaday Comet, Ireland Comet, Whitehead Comet, Wedell-Williams Model 44 Ring Free Comet and with variations in spelling, the Dornier Komet, Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet and Grigorovich Kometa, and I am sure I missed a few. &#32;- NiD.29 (talk) 23:56, 17 June 2022 (UTC)


 * That changes the situation. GraemeLeggett (talk) 04:42, 18 June 2022 (UTC)


 * Most of these are already at Comet (disambiguation), so a link there would cover most of them. BilCat (talk) 05:06, 18 June 2022 (UTC)


 * And done. GraemeLeggett (talk) 06:38, 18 June 2022 (UTC)

RAF service
The article could probably do with a bit more on the service of Comet C2s and C4s in the RAF. For instance, the first jet non-stop transatlantic crossing was not made by BOAC's Comet 4s in autumn 1958 but by 216 Squadron's C2s a year earlier, flying from Belfast Aldergrove to Gander in about five hours. https://www.cometra.uk/?page_id=19802 It's of some interest that the Comet cruised 10,000 feet higher than the all-conquering Boeings and that RAF crews were able to stretch the Comet's range considerably on occasion, not only by operating at lower payload than commercial airliners but, even with 86 troops on board, using an unorthodox 'cruise-climb' technique, with climb power applied only to a certain altitude (around 35,000) according to air temperature on the day, then cruise power with climb trim, so that the Comet naturally ascended to its 42,000ft ceiling as the fuel weight burned off, the engines attaining greater efficiency all the time. The 'VIP pack' which could be installed on 216 Squadron's aircraft at short notice for Royal or Prime Ministerial trips is also of some interest, with twin beds, a dining area and four 'first-class' reclinable sleeper chairs, plus a wardrobe and dressing area, replacing much of the normal seating towards the front. https://www.dh-aircraft.co.uk/news/files/fa57bc46c09a48f01079159d125485b3-98.html This would allow, for instance, the PM and a few ministers to travel up front, with secretaries, assistants and press further back in 'steerage'. Presumably Prime Minister Macmillan flew to the Nassau Conference of December 1962, at which he got the historic Polaris missile agreement out of a reluctant Kennedy (leading to the Trident agreement still in place), aboard one of 216 Sqn's new Comet C4s. This would have required a fuel stop at Bermuda after 3,500 miles with 1,000 still to go, meaning a flight time around ten hours including an hour's stopover, but it's hard to see how else it could be done. Khamba Tendal (talk) 19:08, 17 August 2023 (UTC)