"arjay" wrote in
m:

"Andrew Chaplin" wrote in message
...
Joseph Testagrose wrote in
:

begin 644 UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg

Attachment decoded: UK1 K5084 DH Comet 1936.jpg
`
end

This was a civil aircraft, wasn't it? What's it doing with an RAF "K"
number?

Google produces some confusing/contradictory information regarding
this craft.
Apparently it's one of three made in 1934, purpose-built to compete in
the MacRobertson Air Race -- RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia to
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
Two of the three aircraft completed the course.
That pictured is G-ACSS, dubbed "Grosvenor House" after the hotel
managed by the craft's owner. Outright winner of the race, in 71
hours. (Next best time, a DC-2 in 90 hours 13 minutes.)
As of 2010 Grosvenor House is back in her racing colours -- witness
Joseph's next posted photo.
By report she has been restored to flying condition and is housed at
the Shuttleworth Collection.
Condensed from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_DH.88

Apparently De Havilland touted the design to the RAF as a fast, light
bomber and this one was acquired for trials. While rejected, it seems
to have been one of the immediate ancestors of the Mosquito.
See below for a reference to the 'K' number. The final sentence is
obviously incorrect (it wasn't scrapped) or incomplete (sold to
whom?).

"G-ACSS Grosvenor House was acquired by the Air Ministry and painted
aluminum. It got the RAF serial K-5084. During the tests at the RAF at
Martlesham it twice suffered a collapsed undercarriage. After the
first collapse it was fitted with enlarged air intakes. After the
second crash in September 1936 it was sold as scrap."
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...0-De-Havilland
-Dh88-Comet-K-5084

Whatever was going on, it was one of DH's more attractive a/c. AIUI, it
was one of the most fuel efficient a/c of its time.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)