DH.88 Comet

The de Havilland DH.88 Comet was a purpose‑built, twin‑engine racing aircraft conceived by Geoffrey de Havilland in 1933 to compete in the inaugural MacRobertson Air Race from England to Melbourne. Only two examples were constructed, both featuring a sleek wooden monocoque fuselage, low‑wing cantilever design and retractable main wheels – advanced for the era. Powered by two de Havilland Gipsy Six R inverted‑V12 engines delivering 200 hp each, the Comet could sustain speeds above 265 mph (425 km/h) and climb to 20 000 ft with a range of roughly 2 400 km, allowing nonstop legs across Europe and the Middle East. Pilot Jim and Amy Mollison flew the first Comet to victory, completing the 11 300‑km course in 71 hours 44 minutes, a triumph that demonstrated the potential of lightweight, high‑speed aerodynamics and cemented the aircraft’s place in aviation lore. Though never mass‑produced, the DH.88’s innovations—retractable undercarriage, clean aerodynamic lines, and powerful inline engines—influenced later racing and transport designs, and it remains an iconic symbol of the daring spirit of pre‑war air competition. Both aircraft survived the war; G‑ABXO, dubbed “Grosvenor House,” was restored in the 1990s and now flies at historic air shows, while G‑ABXK is displayed in the de Havilland museum, preserving the legacy for new generations.

Geoffrey de Havilland

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