Built in 1953 as a Comet 1A for Air France then grounded in 1954 after the design fault with square windows became known. Bought back by DeHavilland and converted to 1XB (oval windows) then transferred to the RAF in 1958. Handed over to A&AEE Boscombe Down in 1961 and used as a fire trainer at Stansted (EGSS). Remains scrapped at Manston (EGMH) in 1964.

Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library

Delivered new in 1959 and scrapped at Gatwick (EGKK) in 2004 after service with Dan-Air London and use as a towing trainer. [Note the high-security fence! Also, on a personal note, the telescope laying beside the bag is a Denhill Pancratic X25-X40 which was a very popular model with spotters back then. You had to mail-order them from a classified advert in the newspaper. I still have mine 60 years later.]

Delivered on 29 June 1960 and here with transitional titles between Misrair and United Arab Airlines. On 28 July 1963 it was destroyed when it crashed into the sea on approach to Bombay (VABB).

Cancelled from the UK register in 1974 and scrapped.

K25 slide scan. Delivered 1956 as C.2, converted to R.2 1963, retired 1974 and flown to Duxford for preservation. Scrapped 1992 due to corrosion. Nose section on display at London Colney.

Leased to Malaysian Airlines, later Malaysian Singapore Airlines as 9M-AOV and then 9V-BAT. Returned to the UK in 1969 for service with Dan-Air and scrapped in 1975. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library

In Channel Airways rather lack-lustre colour scheme, showing its ex-Olympic Airways origins. Purchased by Channel in February 1970. Sold to Dan-Air in April 1972 following the collapse of Channel Airways in February 1972. Stored with the Science Museum at Wroughton in 2022.

2nd prototype Comet, built 1950. Dismantled at Hatfield March 1957, relocated to Farnborough for RAE radio test work. To aid this, the fin from Comet 1XB XM829 (msn 06021) was fitted, ex-Stansted Fire School. When the RAE purchased Comet 4 G-APDF as XV814, G-ALZK was used as a mock-up to trial test equipment installation. Since it's own cockpit had been stripped it was fitted with that from C.2 XK669 (06024) ex-Brize Norton. It left Farnborough for Woodford in the early 70s for use in the Nimrod programme and was scrapped there c.1975. Note Provost T.1 fuselage WV577 "22" alongside, ex-ETPS.

In partial Olympic Colors

Broken up in 1978

Broken up in 1977