DeHavilland
Comet 4B
Certified for FS2004 - Autoland Included
DeHavilland Comet 4B / Range - 3,225 / Cruise Speed -
520 mph/450 kts / Pax = 56-81
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Specifications
Cockpit
Crew......................................... 4 (2 pilots, flight engineer and
radio operator/navigator)
Seating Capacity.................................... 56-81
Length.................................................. 111 ft 6 in
(33.99 m)
Wingspan............................................. 115 ft (35 m)
Height.................................................. 29 ft 6 in
(8.99 m
MTOW (Max-Take-off Weight)................ 156,000 lb (78 tons)
Cruise Altitude...................................... 42,000 ft
Range (Full Payload)..................................... 3,225 miles
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ROLE
The DeHavilland DH 106 Comet was the first production
commercial jetliner.
The Comet 1 prototype first flew on 27 July 1949. However, a year
after entering commercial service, Comet airframes began suffering
catastrophic metal fatigue, with three of them tearing apart during mid-flight
in
well-publicized accidents. Design flaws including window shape and installation
methodology were ultimately identified; consequently the Comet was
extensively
redesigned with oval windows, structural reinforcement and other changes.
Although sales never fully recovered, the improved Comet 2
and the prototype
Comet 3 culminated in the redesigned Comet 4 series which
debuted in 1958,
and subsequently enjoyed a productive career of over 30 years.
The Comet 4 was a further improvement on the stretched
Comet 3 with even
greater fuel capacity. The design had progressed significantly from the
original Comet 1, growing by 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) and typically
seating
74 to 81 passengers compared to the Comet 1's 36 to 44 (119 passengers
could be accommodated in a special charter seating package in the later 4C
series).
The Comet 4 was considered the definitive series, having a longer range,
higher cruising speed and higher maximum takeoff weight. These improvements
were possible largely because of Avon engines with twice the thrust of the Comet
1's Ghosts.
Number built - 114 (including prototypes).