Forums » Support
Exercises on How to Increase Vertical Leaping Ability
-
The DH.106 Comet used four power sources: the 5,000 thrust-pound Ghost engines, a hydraulic system, an electric system, (which itself was powered by four engine-driven generators), and two batteries.
The cockpit controls, leading to hydraulic servo tabs, operated the wing and vertical and horizontal tail surfaces, activating their screw jacks to initiate device deflection. The main hydraulic system, operating off of the number two and four engines, powered the air brakes, the ailerons, the trailing edge flaps, the horizontal stabilizers, the rudder, the undercarriage, and the wheel brakes. An emergency system, powered by an electric pump and utilizing the secondary system's pumps, was operated by the flight engineer. The landing gear could alternatively be hand-cranked into the extended position.
Other cockpit instruments and systems included EKOO weather radar, high frequency radio controls, a very high frequency (VHF) automatic direction finder (ADF), Murphy distance measuring equipment (DME), an instrument landing system (ILS) with very high frequency omni directional range (VOR) provision, long range navigation (LORAN), two radio magnetic indictors, selective calling (SEL-CAL), an ultra-crew communication system, and a public address system.
The passenger cabin, blanketed in sound-suppressing insulation to minimize internal penetration of the Ghost engines' scream, was standardly configured with 36 four-abreast first class seats in a two-two arrangement with a central aisle and was subdivided into forward and aft sections. A two-unit galley was installed adjacent to the forward, right servicing door, while two lavatories and a garment storage closet were installed in the aft vestibule.
Pressurization and fbisd skyward family access air conditioning were provided by engine compressor air and a control valve.
Baggage, cargo, and mail were carried in a single main deck compartment, located immediately behind the flight deck, and two underfloor heated, lighted, and pressurized holds.
Designated the DH.106 Comet 1 in its initial production version, the aircraft featured 12,500- and 105,000-pound payload and gross weights, respectively, achieving a 1,500-statute mile range with 36 passengers and fuel reserves. Cruise speed varied between 450 and 465 mph at 28,000- to 40,000-foot altitudes.
IN SERVICE
Amid anticipatory excitement, fanfare, and ceremony, the DH.106 Comet 1 slated to operate the world's first commercial jet service and draped in BOAC's white and dark blue livery, was boarded through its aft, port door on May 2, 1952, its history-making and marking patrons greeted in the cabin by then-designated stewardesses in their crisp, equally-blue uniforms.
Piloted by Captain Mike Majendie, First Officer J. G. Woodmill, Flight Engineer Wally Bennett, and Radio Officer Bob Chandler, and served by steward Edward Charlewood and stewardess Joan Nourse, the Comet 1 slated for the inaugural passenger-carrying service, registered G-ALYP, taxied from the excited crowd with the aid of its four high-pitched Ghost 50 engines, positioning itself on the runway's threshold and unleashing itself, like a stallion stampeding out of the starting gate, with a thunderous roar. Rapidly accelerating, it rotated and disengaged itself at 15:12, plunging skyward and, in the process, taking its passengers into the jet age.
Touching down in Rome, Beirut, Khartoum, Entebbe, and Livingston, and changing crews at the second and third of these intermediate airports, it landed three minutes early in Johannesburg, its destination, after a record 23.5-hour flight, despite a 30-minute refueling delay in Entebbe and the need to twice circle before being given clearance.
Taxiing to its parking position, it was inundated with enthusiastic throngs of awaiting people.
BOAC placed the aircraft into service on a second route-in this case, from London to Colombo-on July 11, which required 16.35 hours to cover the 6,000-mile distance with intermediate stops in Rome, Beirut, Bahrain, Karachi, and Bombay. A third stretching 7,761 miles, connected London with Bangkok and necessitated a 20.15-hour flying time, along with an additional seven hours, to complete, with refueling stops in Rome, Cairo, Bahrain, Karachi, Calcutta, and Rangoon. It was later extended to Tokyo.