New Comet Web Site

Great to see this finally making progress. I recall seeing “Black Magic” as a ‘basket case’ at Staverton/Gloucestershire Airport several years ago, but it all went very quiet afterwards despite the group’s enthusiasm to rebuild her.

OOP’s
My bad.
I got things a bit mixed up “terrible memory these days”.

It would be interesting to find the wreck site, maybe there might be enough useable bits to make a 3rd original Comet “or fourth if rumours of parts of the French one being found are true ?.

Bob T.

No Race Comet Lost in 1934.

Has anyone ever tried to find out if anything remains of the Comet that went down in the desert, during the race ?.

Bob T.

No Comet was lost during the 1934 Macroberts race. A fourth Comet was built for the French. An additional Comet was built for Tom Campbell-Black to race.

G-ADEF was the fifth and last Comet, and named “Boomerang”. It was built for Cyril Nicholson, and piloted by Tom Campbell Black (of Grosvenor House fame) and J.C. McArthur in an attempt on the London-Cape Town record. It reached Cairo in a record 11 hr, 18 min in August 1935. Technical failures resulted in the a/c being abandoned by the crew in a remote area of the Sudan where it was completely destroyed on impact and in the subsequent fire.

Think you should go to the heritage lottery with it & get a stand at airshows asking for donations. Everyone else does it why not you?
I’d certainly think an anniversary airshow for the 80th of the race is more interesting than 30 years of the Falklands :diablo:

No definite completion date, Martin says that it would be great if we could get Black Magic complete by 2014 the 80th anniversary of the race. G-RSCR depends on funding so will take longer , but if a generous benefactor showed up then probably both by 2014.

Both aeroplanes will be based at Derby where Martin has plans for a special hanger to house them plus an extension to the runway as well. Then if we can fly them to old Warden and get all 3 together at the same time that would be a great sight wouldnt it.

Ken

Thanks for the reply!
Just one more question;
Did I read somewhere that you are building the new wing with some washout in it Like the American replica? If you are, will that cause any problems with CAA?
Regards
Dave

Has anyone ever tried to find out if anything remains of the Comet that went down in the desert, during the race ?.

Bob T.

No definite completion date, Martin says that it would be great if we could get Black Magic complete by 2014 the 80th anniversary of the race. G-RSCR depends on funding so will take longer , but if a generous benefactor showed up then probably both by 2014.

Both aeroplanes will be based at Derby where Martin has plans for a special hanger to house them plus an extension to the runway as well. Then if we can fly them to old Warden and get all 3 together at the same time that would be a great sight wouldnt it.

Ken

Is there an estimate as to when the Comets will be finished? Are they going to be completed together? Are they going to be based at Derby?

Shuttleworth are actualy using a new strengthened design of positive lock on the undercarriage retract system which has been drawn up by one of our volunteers, a retired DH trained draughtsman. We also sorted getting the new fittings machined up as it was cheaper to get a number of sets machined up at the same time
Ken

Ken
Are you going to use strengthened undercarriages as Shuttleworth are doing with Grovesnor House?
Very best of luck to you!

Thanks for the comments about the new web site.

We have never seen any pics of Black Magic as found in Portugal, but we have a Portugese aviation writer friend who is researching it for us so who knows he may come up with something.

Dont forget that as well as Black Magic, I am building a replica Comet registered G-RCSR and will be painted green, fuselage is coming along well and will be moved to Derby when more advanced…Then Derby will be the only place to see 2 Comets side by side. I will post when this happens and perhaps thats the time to arrange an open day as well

Thanks for all the support and interest

Ken

Top stuff !!!!

G ‘day Ken and other’s!!

That’s a ripper site Ken mate, well set out.

I have read a lot of book’s about the comet’s, and also many pilots bio’s all good, most of them were ratbag’s near the end of there live’s.

What a pitty I am way down here, would be a bonza place for a quick tour

did have plan’s for a Uk tour a some point, but lost a large chunk with the stock market cr@p!!! and also MS and bipolar got in the way some

could a comet now be bult from say only a data plate!!

anyway congrate’s to all team making this happen

Looks excellent Ken – coming on really well.

Are there any photos of the aircraft as found in the Portuguese barn? Would love to see those on the site…

Cheers

Mark

The new website looks great Ken!
I like the 44′ long wing jig table and the lovely big lumps of spruce sitting on it.:)
Some nice machining and casting work too….

We havent had a proper open day for a few years but think its something we should think about for next year, I will post any news on this.

The airfield is open 7 days and there is always someone there to show visitors around the Comet project if anyone wants to call in for a look

Ken

excellent.. do you have open days etc.

heres my DH88 painting in case you have missed it?

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