048-017 DE HAVAILLAND DH.88 COMET

The De Havilland DH.88 Comet was a British low-wing sports and racing plane from the interwar period. The drive was provided by two de Havilland Gipsy-Six engines, 230 HP each. The prototype flight took place in 1934. In total, together with the prototypes, only 5 examples of this aircraft were made. The De Havilland DH.88 Comet was specially developed to take part in the intercontinental air race from Great Britain to Australia called the MacRobertson Air Race in 1934. Despite the relatively short period of research and development, a very interesting and successful machine was created, which was characterized by a great aerodynamic profile, a closed pilot's cabin, a retractable landing gear (which at that time was not standard in sports aircraft!), As well as a great maximum range of up to 4800 kilometers! In the period 1934-1938, this type of aircraft broke several international aviation records. To date, two DH.88 Comet have survived.