de Havilland Comet B.1

[Davey B]

Just yet another modified 3-view I thought I'd share.  This one was the RAf's main bomber between the Lincoln and the Valiant.  Rather than take on B-29s, the War Ministry (as was) ordered 50 modified de Havilland Comets.  These were built of a thicker-gague metal and had internal bomb bay, more fuel and RR Tay engines to compensate for the extra weight. The H2S radar is carried in the rear fuselage blister, with a bomb aiming position beneath the flight deck.

The Comets served in the bomber role until January 1957, when they were converted to other duties. Some became ECM aircraft, some tankers, but most were relegated to training duties with Bomber Command.

Armament comprised: 18x 1000lb MC bombs internally, up to 12 underwing and a quartet of .303 Brownings in a remote-control tail installation.  Seen here is a 617 Squadron bird in natural metal finish, 1955.

Dave  B)

[Hobbes]

Cool! I half expected to see a figure-8 cross section, but that's unique to the Nimrod, innit?

[Captain Canada]

Cool !

The Comet is such a nice, workman-like aeroplane. Love the big, thick wing, and the light sweep of it. Really changes the look of it when you remove the windows, eh ?

The loadout sounds pretty heavy, tho. Would that be a total of 30 1,000 lb. bombs ?

And the turret needs some work, looks like an afterthought, like a couple of twigs jutting out the end !

[Mike Wren]

nice idea Davey-boy, now get on & build it, for goodness sake!    

[lancer]

Oh very sweet...

[elmayerle]

I like it.  He leimination fo the windows would get around the main source of troulbe and give it something like a 1950 in-service date.

[Tophe]

Really changes the look of it when you remove the windows, eh ?

Uh...  Let me ask a stupid question: wasn't the Nimrod already a Comet without windows? Forgive me, I just heard of it, I have never seen one, nor a Comet either...  

[Captain Canada]

I think the original Nimmy was based rather closely on the Comet. Not sure of it's history, tho......

Cheers !

[Swamphen]

The Nimrod is based on the Comet, but note the 'double-bubble' fuselage shape. The upper fuse is the Comet-based part, the lower bit was added for the radar, weapons bay, etc.

[Davey B]

Plus, the Nimrod has some windows remaining.

As for building it -- Christ, I think I'm too chicken! The only Comet 1 kit I can find is a Welsh Models vacform for about £60. SIXTY QUID!?! And a vacform too! never had the guts to tackle a vacform, 'specially not at that price.

I know there's a conversion set available for an Airfix Comet, but I can't find one of those either  

And Toad, that is 30 1,000 pounders! Shouldn't be too much trouble (he says) -- the Victor was designed to carry 48,000lbs! Never did, sadly...

[Martin H]

In that case Davy drop to 1/144th and get ye old airfix kit. cost u about 6.99 ish

[Zen]

Actualy DH did propose a bomber based on the Comet, looked a bit like a Nimrod for obvious reasons.