For Ryan and the Croydon Aircraft Co. team

[Dave Homewood]

I don't know if this is well known in de Havilland restoration circles, it probably is, but I found an interesting 1938 photo of a DH88 Comet in RAF colours. I never knew they had Comet/s. Did they test it as a potential fighter type?

Maybe an interesting colour scheme for the replica when it's completed?

[Dave Homewood]

To answer my own question this from Wikipedia

"In 1935, de Havilland suggested a high-speed bomber version of the DH.88 to the RAF, but the suggestion was rejected. (De Havilland later developed the de Havilland Mosquito along similar lines as the DH.88 for the high-speed bomber role.)"

So that photo was three years old before making it into the Herald. Hmmm.

[Dave Homewood]

Here's more on that aircraft from www.pjcomputing.flyer.co.uk/comet/race.html

"Grosvenor House

Grosvenor House went to Martlesham for RAF trials in 1935 and, painted all white as K5084, was a memorable feature of the 1936 Hendon display. It was subsequently damaged when landing with a full load and disposed of as scrap. F.E.Tasker then acquired it and Essex Aero Ltd rebuilt it at Gravesend with Gypsy Six series II engines driving DH variable pitch airscrews. In pale blue and renamed The Orphan, G-ACSS was flown into fourth place in the 1937 Marseilles-Damascus-Paris race by Flg Off A.F Clouston and George Nelson.

Bearing a third name, The Burberry, the aircraft left Croydon on November 14th 1937 piloted by Clouston and Mrs Kirby Green, who succeeded in lowering the out-and-home record to the Cape to 15 days 17 hours. Carrying its final name, Australian Anniversary, it left Gravesend on February 6th 1938, but broke no records after the undercarriage collapsed in Cyprus. The last historic flight by 'SS was one of its greatest. Flown by Clouston and Victor Ricketts, it took off from Gravesend on March 15th 1938, reached Sydney in 80 hours 56 minutes, crossed the Tasman Sea to Blenheim, New Zealand, in 7½ hours, stopped overnight, then returned to Croydon on March 26th.

The 26,450 miles had been covered in 10 days 21 hours 22 minutes to set a record which still stands. The Comet then returned to Gravesend where it remained under tarpaulins until rediscvered in 1951. The DH Technical School then restored it to its original MacRobertson condition for display at the Festival of Britain Exhibition, after which it was preserved by the makers at Leavesden until handed over to the Shuttleworth Trust in 1965."

[Dave Homewood]

Amazing to thing something as sleek and fast as the Comet was rejected as a bomber, but the RAF accepted Fairey Battles for service.

[DragonflyDH90]

In its RAF service (fairly short lived) it had a hard landing and two of the fuel tanks, which stretch the full length of fuselage forward of the cockpit, broke through the bottom of the aircraft and ended up on the ground.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but pretty sure K-5084 is actually G-ACSS "Grosvenor House".
At one time Arthur Clouston was approached by the British government to assassinate Adolf Hitler utilising the Comet (fitted with the appropriate racks etc) and bombing one of his outdoor rallies. This was shortly after the record setting flights made by Clouston UK-Aus-NZ.
If you havnt read Arthur Cloustons book "The Dangerous Skies" try and get a copy, it is a fantastic read.

[Dave Homewood]

Hi Ryan, yes definately Grosvenor House. Interesting about the fuel tanks falling through the bottom in the hard landing.

I have Clouston's book, and had started reading it but never got far before getting distracted and putting it aside. I might have to pick it up again. I didn't know about the assassination plot. Amazing.

Any thoughts on using this colour scheme on the replica, if only as a temporary measure perhaps?

[DragonflyDH90]

Could paint it up like that during the test flight period and then decide on what we will actually paint it.........

[Dave Homewood]

That would be great.

[flyjoe180]

Some history about the aircraft and Tom Campbell Black here
www.tomcampbellblack.150m.com/

Also some models kits of the Comet which have been made up in differing schemes, may be of interest?

www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/misc/dh-88-comet_rs.htm