1 Air Division

The RCAF de Havilland Comet

We have managed to accumulate a number of photos of the two Comets which were used by the RCAF. As can be expected, we would really appreciate your assistance in expanding the amount of material pertaining to the two Comets which were in the RCAF. If you happen to have any photo or slide - plese consider making this material available for processing and addition to this section of our web site.


Click on the description text to view the photos.
  1. RCAF Comet refuelling in the Azores during a training flight - 11 December 1957.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-86786.

  2. Larger image of VC 5301 refuelling in the Azores during a training flight - 11 December 1957.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-86786.

  3. VC 5301 refuelling in the Azores during a training flight - 11 December 1957.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-86788.

  4. Larger image of VC 5301 refuelling in the Azores - 11 December 1957.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-86788.

  5. VC 5301 refuelling at Marville after a training flight - 11 December 1957.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-86797.

  6. Larger image of VC 5301 refuelling at Marville flight - 11 December 1957.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-86797.

  7. RCAF Comet (VC 5302) parked on the ramp at Marville France - December 1957.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  8. Historical Records - 1 December 1957 to 31 May 1958.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  9. Operations Record - December 1957.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  10. RCAF Comet (VC 5302) parked on the ramp at RCAF Station Uplands - November 1957.
    Courtesy Bryan Gibbins.

  11. RCAF Comet navigation station - November 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  12. RCAF Comet navigation station - November 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

    RCAF Comets resumed service on 1 November 1957 as Mark IXBs.

  13. Structural Details and Fuselage Layout diagram - October 1957.
    This was the normal configuration of the RCAF 412 Squadron Comets. The section labelled "Front Passenger Cabin" was our crew rest compartment.
    Courtesy Robert Fassold.

    RCAF Comets returned to Canada - Hatfield, Lajes, Chatham, Ottawa - 26 September 1957.

  14. Aerial photo of an RCAF Comet enroute between Rome and the UK - 23 September 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  15. Training flight from Johannesburg, South Africa - 21 September 1957.
    Victoria Falls, Southern Rhodesia - as seen from the air.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

  16. Training flight from Johannesburg, South Africa - 21 September 1957.
    Victoria Falls, Southern Rhodesia - as seen from the air.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

  17. Return flight from Salisbury to Entebbe, Uganda - 21 September 1957.
    VC-5302 as seen from VC-5301 at 32,000 feet.
    Courtesy Hu Filleul.

  18. Return flight from Salisbury to Entebbe, Uganda - 21 September 1957.
    Closer image of VC-5302 as seen from VC-5301 at 32,000 feet.
    Courtesy Hu Filleul.

  19. One of the RCAF Comets in formation flight over Africa - 18 September 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  20. RCAF Comet formation joinup over Africa - September 18 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  21. RCAF Comets on the ramp at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia - 17 September 1957.
    Map showing the location of Southern Rhodesia.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  22. RCAF Comets on the ramp at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia - 17 September 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  23. Training flight to Johannesburg, South Africa - 16 September 1957.
    VC-5302 refuelling at Entebbe, Uganda.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

  24. Training flight to Johannesburg, South Africa - 16 September 1957.
    Refuelling at Entebbe, Uganda.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

  25. Training flight to Johannesburg, South Africa - 16 September 1957.
    Harold Dodge at Entebbe, Uganda.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

    RCAF Comets commence training trip to Johannesburg, South Africa - 16 September 1957.

  26. An RCAF Comet on a pre-delivery inspection at Hatfield - September 1957.
    Note the rounded windows which were a part of the modification to convert to Mk 1XB standard.
    Courtesy De Havilland/BAE Hatfield.

  27. Memories of the Comet - September 1957.
    Courtesy Bob Rose.

  28. Detail for the RCAF 1XB Comet - September 1957.
    Courtesy Assorted Sources.

  29. RCAF Comet on approach to Hatfield - 24 August 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  30. Extracts from Flying Log Book - August 1957 to October 1957.
    Courtesy Bob Rose.

  31. Extracts from Flying Log Book - October 1957 to June 1959.
    Courtesy Bob Rose.

  32. Extracts from Flying Log Book - August and September 1957.
    Courtesy Dick Brown.

  33. 412 Squadron technicians training at Hatfield - July 1957.
    Standing (L-R) - Baxter Daw, LAC VanWallingham, Cpl Don Cameron (deceased), LAC Elmer Ackerly (deceased), Cpl Herm Noonan, Cpl Hugh Reid, Cpl John R. Dagg, Cpl Clyde Earls, Cpl John Kosh, LAC Burl Workman, Cpl Jim Begin, Cpl Jack Simpson, LAC Harold Dodge. Front row (L-R) - Dodd, LAC Don Braun, Instructor Tuck, Sgt Jim MacLeod, unidentified Instuctor, LAC Bernie Leahy, unidentified British civilian.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

  34. Larger image of the RCAF Techs training at Hatfield photo - July 1957.
    Standing (L-R) - Baxter Daw, LAC VanWallingham, Cpl Don Cameron (deceased), LAC Elmer Ackerly (deceased), Cpl Herm Noonan, Cpl Hugh Reid, Cpl John R. Dagg, Cpl Clyde Earls, Cpl John Kosh, LAC Burl Workman, Cpl Jim Begin, Cpl Jack Simpson, LAC Harold Dodge. Front row (L-R) - Dodd, LAC Don Braun, Instructor Tuck, Sgt Jim MacLeod, unidentified Instuctor, LAC Bernie Leahy, unidentified British civilian.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

  35. Historical Record - 1 June to 30 November 1957.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

  36. Memories of the Comet - January 1957.
    Courtesy Harold Dodge.

Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: March 27, 2005