The DeHavilland Comet was the world’s first jet airliner. The first version, the Comet 1, began entering service in 1952 but a critical design problem led to several fatal crashes and they were all grounded in April 1954.

First plans for the Comet were drawn up towards the end of World War II and detailed design began in 1946.

The prototype Comet made its first flight on 27 July 1949.

It was one of the most advanced aeroplanes of its time and was, at that time, the most inspected and tested aeroplane ever to fly.

The first Comet entered service in May 1952 but lack of experience with pressurised airliners meant there was a critical weakness in the design which led to several fatal crashes in 1953 and 1954.

Improved and safer versions of the Comet did not enter service again until 1958.

This model represents G-ALYP of BOAC which flew the world’s first jet airliner service on 2 May 1952 and crashed, killing all on board, on 19 January 1954.

F-Rsin 1/144 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in May 2011..