"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
link.net...

"ANDREW ROBERT BREEN" wrote in message
...

Strictly speaking, it wasn't: that honour goes to the Vickers
Nene Viking. Comet I was, however, the first into commercial
service (the Nene Viking being more in the nature of a trial run).


Did the Nene Viking ever carry a passenger? As I recall, the Viking
served
as a Nene engine testbed only and reverted to piston engines after it had
served that purpose. That doesn't sound like a jet airliner to me.

1948 -Vickers Nene Viking (World's first pure jet transport) made first
flight in April, followed in July by prototype Viscount 630 (world's first
turboprop airliner). It carried pasengers, but nmot fare paying.

http://www.apda61.dsl.pipex.com/Av4/Nenevik.JPG