DEVELOPMENT OF COMET

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28270, 7 May 1957, Page 7

DEVELOPMENT OF COMET

Scientists’ Work After Accidents

The Comet was still the only jet transport aircraft flying in the world today and it had been a great tragedy when the unfortunate accidents occurred which necessitated the grounding of the early models, said Air Marshal Sir Andrew McKee. Chief of the Royal Air Force Transport Command. at a function sponsored by the Royal Empire Society at Elizabeth House, last evening. British scientists had. however, been able to find out how the accidents happened and when this information had been given to the whole world it had been worth untold millions, he said. “No great jet transports could have been developed without this information.” The development of the Cornel after such great difficulties had brought the greatest prestige to the R.A.F. that any Air Force could have, said Air Marshal McKee. "America has been able to develop her big 707’s and 708’s and it is a pity that we have lost this race.” Empire Air Routes Discussing the need to keep the Empire air routes open, he said it was important that the colonies remained in the Empire as Britain was being ousted from any of her outposts. The Bristol Britannia, which had a range of 4500 miles and a payload equivalent to 100 passengers, would be able to take off in England and fly direct to Kano. Nigeria, and, after refuelling, fly on to Kenya, and thence to Gan in the Maldives, he said. The route from there would be either to Singapore and Darwin or to Perth by way of the Cocos Islands. An aerodrome was being built by the British in Gan which was the key to the routes to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The Cocos Islands were the most interesting part of the Indian Ocean and Australia had appointed a Commissioner there and brought the outpost into the Empire. "I am pleased to see that they have a big aerodrome there also,” Air Marshal McKee said.