This aircraft was owned and flown by Jim Mollison and his wife Amy Johnson who were household names, superstar aviators, in the mid 1930s. After almost 30 years of restoration there still seems to be a long way to go. Newly built wings are largely complete and will hopefully soon be mated with the partly original fuselage which will allow the top surfaces to then be finished. What is incredible is that the original was designed and built in about six months. Thanks to the restorers for their fascinating insight into this aviation history gem

Comets G-ACSP and G-ACSR before the start of the Londen to Melbourne Air Race, with the Gee Bee R-6, NR14307. Photo from: BAE Systems

Engine test for the Mollissons' Comet. Jim and Amy had been forced to use inferior fuel following an unscheduled stop at Jabalpur, and had to quit the London to Melbourne Air Race here at Allahabad. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

Unsuccesfully flown by Jim and Amy Mollison during the London to Melbourne Air Race, G-ASCP Black Magic was sold to the Portuguese government in December 1934 for a planned flight to Brazil. Rediscovered in Portugal in 1979, the aircraft was brought to the UK for restoration but a fire has consumed most of the original airframe. Photo from: BAE Systems

The DH.88 Comet was designed especially for the London-Melbourne air race at short notice and this was the first example to fly. Flown by Jim Mollison and Amy Johnson the aircraft, then wearing the name Black Magic, took the lead but an unscheduled landing in Jabalpur forced the couple to use fuel from the local bus company which wrecked the engines. The race was won by the red Comet, G-ACSS Grosvenor House. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum