The old proverb 'nice guys always finish last' seems strangely appropriate when relating the development of the commercial jet airliner, de Havilland received a Ministry contract to start work on such an aircraft in February 1945; it was designated DH 106 and would later be named the Comet. Progress was surprisingly rapid, leading to a first flight on 27 July 1949 and the award of a certificate of airworthiness (C of A) on 22 March 1952. By this stage, airlines around the world were queuing up to place orders, although it was BOAC which would enjoy the kudos of introducing jet travel to the masses. The subsequent debacle, where fatigue cracking and a number of crashes led to the withdrawal of the type's C of A just two years later, is well-known. Or is it? Author Bray here relates the whole history in unprecedented detail.
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