Famgus Aviation Postcards: de Havilland Comet

Last updated December 25 2021

De Havilland DH 106 Comet

FIRST COMET COMMERCIAL USERS (original commercial users of a specific c/n) - 113 built
Number of c/n intended for commercial traffic: 85
BOAC (28), BEA (18), UAA (9), Aerolineas Argentinas (7),
MEA (4), Air France (3), EAA (3), Mexicana (3), UAT (3), CPA (2), Kuwait Airlines (2), Sudan Airways (2), Saudiarabia VIP (1)

COMET 1 - 12 aircrafts
Ministry of Supply: #6001: G-ALVG, #6002: G-ALZK, #6006: G-ALYT (bult as 2X)
BOAC: #6003: G-ALYP, #6004: G-ALYR, #6005: G-ALYS, #6007: G-ALYU, #6008: G-ALYV, #6009: G-ALYW, #6010: G-ALYX, #6011: G-ALYY, #6012: G-ALYZ
COMET 1A - 10 aircrafts
Canadian Pacific Airlines: #6013: CF-CUM, #6014: CF-CUN (crashed in Karachi on delivery flight)
UAT Union Aeromaritime de Transport: #6015: F-BGSA, #6016: F-BGSB, #6019: F-BGSC
Canadian Forces: #6017: 5301, #6018: 5302
Air France: #6020: F-BGNX, #6021: F-BGNY, #6022: F-BGNZ

Note: After the crashes in 1953 and 1954 of #6003 (G-ALYP), #6008 (G-ALYV) and #6011 (G-ALYY) all Comet 1 and 1A were grounded and withdrawn from service.

COMET 2 - 15 aircrafts
12 aircrafts were designated to BOAC (beginning 1953) used for test flights to South America. No commercial traffic.
Most of the aircrafts went to RAF 1955 and onwards.
#6023: G-AMXA, #6024: G-AMXB, #6025: G-AMXC, #6026: G-AMXD, #6027: G-AMXE, #6028: G-AMXF,
#6029: G-AMXG, #6030: G-AMXH, #6031: G-AMXI, #6032: G-AMXJ, #6033: G-AMXK, #6034: G-AMXL
Royal Air Force: #6035: XK699, #6037: XK715, #6045: XK716
COMET 3 - 1 aircraft
#6100: G-ANLO (shown at Farnborough Air Show 1954 - never in commercial traffic).
The first jet aircraft that completed around the world journey in 1955.

COMET 4 - 28 aircrafts
BOAC: #6401: G-APDA, #6403: G-APDB, #6404: G-APDC, #6405: G-APDD, #6406: G-APDE, #6407: G-APDF, #6409: G-APDH,
#6412: G-APDK, #6413: G-APDL, #6414: G-APDM, #6415: G-APDN, #6416: G-APDO, #6417: G-APDP, #6418: G-APDR, #6419: G-APDS,
#6420: G-APDT, #6427: G-APDG, #6428: G-APDI, #6429: G-APDJ
Aerolineas Argentinas: #6408: LV-PLM, #6410: LV-PLO, #6411: LV-PLP, #6430: LV-POY, #6432: LV-POZ, #6434: LV-PPA
East African Airways: #6431: VP-KPJ/5X-AAO, #6433: VP-KPK/5H-AAF, #6472: VP-KRL/5Y-AAA
COMET 4B - 18 aircrafts
BEA: #6421: G-APMA, #6422: G-APMB, #6423: G-APMC, #6426: G-APMF, #6435: G-APMD, #6436: G-APME, #6437: G-APYC, #6438: G-APYD, #6440: G-APZM, #6442: G-APMG, #6447: G-ARDI, #6449: G-ARCO, #6451: G-ARCP, #6452: G-ARJK, #6453: G-ARGM, #6455: G-ARJL,
#6456: G-ARJM, #6459: G-ARJN
COMET 4C - 28 aircrafts
Mexicana: #6424: G-AOVU/XA-NAR, #6425: G-AOVV/XA-NAS, #6443: G-ARBB/XA-NAT
United Arab Airlines: #6439: SU-ALC; #6441: SU-ALD, #6444: SU-ALE, #6454: SU-ALL, #6458: SU-ALM; #6462: SU-AMV, #6464: SU-AMW,
#6466: SU-ANC, #6475: SU-ANI
Middle East Airlines: #6445: OO-ADR, #6446: OD-ADQ, #6448: OD-ADS, #6450: OD-ADT
Sudan Airways: #6457: G-ASDZ/ST-AAW, #6463: ST-AAX
Aerolineas Argentinas: #6460: LV-PTS
Saudiarabia VIP: #6461: SA-R-7
Kuwait Airlines: #6465: 9K-ACA, #6474: 9K-ACE
Royal Air Force: #6467: XR395, #6468: XR396, #6469: XR397, #6470: XR398, #6471: XR399, #6473: XS235

Mexicana: #6420: XA-NAB (G-APDT leased from BOAC)
Olympic Airways: #6440: G-APZM (leased from BEA), #6447: G-ARDI (leased from BEA), #6455: G-ARJL (leased from BEA)

***

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***

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Comet 1/1A

In flight

Postcard published by:
Science Museum, London
Postcard printed by:
B. Matthews (Photo Printers) Ltd,
Bradford, England

# 6002
MINISTRY OF SUPPLY
[original user]

G-ALZK
---
Comet Line nbr: 6002
1951-1957

Shown on this postcard in BOAC livery.

G-ALKZ (BOAC livery)
in flight #2

Ministry of Supply:
#6001: G-ALVG, #6002: G-ALZK, #6006: G-ALYT

Later registrations of G-ALZK:
None

In flight

Postcard published by:
FLIGHT International Photograph

# 6003
BOAC
[original user]

G-ALYP
---
Comet Line nbr: 6003
1952-1954

BOAC flew 9 Comets as original user:
#6003: G-ALYP, #6004: G-ALYR, #6005: G-ALYS,
#6007: G-ALYU, #6008: G-ALYV, #6009: G-ALYW,
#6010: G-ALYX, #6011: G-ALYY, #6012: G-ALYZ

Later registrations of G-ALYP:
None

Fate: Crashed in flight 1954 due to fuselage failure.
[Aviation Safety Network]

More info: wikipedia.

Frankfurt-Rhein/Main
[FRA/EDDF]

Postcard published by:
Editions P.I., Paris, France

# 6016
UAT UNION AEROMARITIME DE TRANSPORT
[original user]

F-BGSB
---
Comet Line nbr: 6016
1953-1954

Withdrawn from use (grounded) due to the severe crashes of three Comets.

UAT flew 3 Comets as original user:
#6015: F-BGSA, #6016: F-BGSB, #6019: F-BGSC

Later registrations of F-BGSB:
None

Comet 3

In flight

Postcard published by:
Valentine's, England, UK

# 6100
MINISTRY OF SUPPLY
[original user]

G-ANLO
---
Comet Line nbr: 6100
1954-1966

Shown at the Farnborough Air Show in 1954.
[flew in BOAC livery]

It was the first jet aircraft that completed an around the world journey 1955.
[flew in BOAC livery]

The route:
London-Cairo-Bombay-Singapore-Darwin-Sydney

Sydney-Auckland-Fiji-Honolulu

Honolulu-Vancouver-Toronto-Montreal-London

It remained a development prototype until 1966 when it was scrapped.

Comet 4/4B/4C

In flight

Postcard published by:
A. V. Fry & Co., Ltd,
London, England, UK

# 6401
BOAC BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION
[original user]

G-APDA
---
Comet Line nbr: 6401
1958-19xx (19yy)

I flight #2.

BOAC flew 28 Comet 4s as original user:
#6401: G-APDA, #6403: G-APDB, #6404: G-APDC, #6405: G-APDD, #6406: G-APDE, #6407: G-APDF, #6409: G-APDH, #6412: G-APDK, #6413: G-APDL, #6414: G-APDM, #6415: G-APDN, #6416: G-APDO, #6417: G-APDP, #6418: G-APDR, #6419: G-APDS,
#6420: G-APDT, #6427: G-APDG, #6428: G-APDI, #6429: G-APDJ

Later registrations of G-APDA:
9M-AOA (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines)
9V-BAS (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines)
G-APDA (Dan-Air)

Damaged 1959 during landing at Calcutta, but was repaired and went back to service.
[Aviation Safety Network]

In flight over Zürich

Postcard published by:
Beringer & Pampaluchi, Zürich

# 6421
BEA BRITISH EUROPEAN AIRWAYS
[original user]

G-APMA
---
Comet Line nbr: 6421
1959-1972

G-APMA in flight
#1

BEA flew 18 Comets as original user:
#6421: G-APMA, #6422: G-APMB, #6423: G-APMC, #6426: G-APMF, #6435: G-APMD, #6436: G-APME, #6437: G-APYC, #6438: G-APYD, #6440: G-APZM, #6442: G-APMG, #6447: G-ARDI, #6449: G-ARCO, #6451: G-ARCP, #6452: G-ARJK, #6453: G-ARGM, #6455: G-ARJL, #6456: G-ARJM, #6459: G-ARJN

Later registrations of G-APMA:
None

Nice/Côte d'Azur airport
[NCE/LFMN]

Postcard published by:
Librairie-Tabacs de 'Aéroport de NICE-COTE D'AZUR, Nice, France

# 6422
BEA BRITISH EUROPEAN AIRWAYS
[original user]

G-APMB
---
Comet Line nbr: 6422
1959-19xx (1978)

BEA flew 18 Comets as original user:
#6421: G-APMA, #6422: G-APMB, #6423: G-APMC, #6426: G-APMF, #6435: G-APMD, #6436: G-APME, #6437: G-APYC, #6438: G-APYD, #6440: G-APZM, #6442: G-APMG, #6447: G-ARDI, #6449: G-ARCO, #6451: G-ARCP, #6452: G-ARJK, #6453: G-ARGM, #6455: G-ARJL, #6456: G-ARJM, #6459: G-ARJN

Later registrations of G-APMB:
G-APMB (Channel Airways)
G-APMB (Dan-Air)

Gibraltar
[GIB/LXGB]

Postcard published by:
J. Arthur Dixon,
Inverness, Scotland, UK

# 6423
BEA BRITISH EUROPEAN AIRWAYS
[original user]

G-APMC
---
Comet Line nbr: 6423
1959-1971 (1973?)

BEA flew 18 Comets as original user:
#6421: G-APMA, #6422: G-APMB, #6423: G-APMC, #6426: G-APMF, #6435: G-APMD, #6436: G-APME, #6437: G-APYC, #6438: G-APYD, #6440: G-APZM, #6442: G-APMG, #6447: G-ARDI, #6449: G-ARCO, #6451: G-ARCP, #6452: G-ARJK, #6453: G-ARGM, #6455: G-ARJL, #6456: G-ARJM, #6459: G-ARJN

Later registrations of G-APMC:
G-APMC (BEA Airtours)
G-APMC (Dan-Air)

Unknown airport,
possibly Zürich-Kloten.

Postcard published by:
Swissair Photo AG,
Zürich, Switzerland

# 6428
BOAC BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION
[original user]

G-APDI
---
Comet Line nbr: 6428
1959-1966 (1968)

BOAC flew 28 Comets as original user:
Comet 1
#6003: G-ALYP, #6004: G-ALYR, #6005: G-ALYS, #6007: G-ALYU, #6008: G-ALYV, #6009: G-ALYW, #6010: G-ALYX, #6011: G-ALYY, #6012: G-ALYZ
Comet 4
#6401: G-APDA, #6403: G-APDB, #6404: G-APDC, #6405: G-APDD, #6406: G-APDE, #6407: G-APDF, #6409: G-APDH, #6412: G-APDK, #6413: G-APDL, #6414: G-APDM, #6415: G-APDN, #6416: G-APDO, #6417: G-APDP, #6418: G-APDR, #6419: G-APDS,
#6420: G-APDT, #6427: G-APDG, #6428: G-APDI, #6429: G-APDJ

Later registrations of G-APDI:
HC-ALT (AREA Ecuador)

Rome-Fiumicino airport
[FCO/LIRF]

[LV-AHS]
Postcard published by:
G. Martelli, Italy

# 6432
AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS
[original user]

LV-POZ/LV-AHS
Las Tres Marias->Alborada
Comet Line nbr: 6432
1960-1971 (1971)

Aerolineas Argentinas flew 7 Comets as original user:
Comet 4
#6408: LV-PLM, #6410: LV-PLO, #6411: LV-PLP,
#6430: LV-POY, #6432: LV-POZ, #6434: LV-PPA
Comet 4C
#6460: LV-PTS

Later registrations of LV-POZ:
LV-AHS (Aerolineas Argentinas) - rrg 1960
G-AZLW (Dan-Air) - bought for parts

München airport
[MUC/EDDM]

Postcard published by:
Hans Andres Verlag,
München, Germany

# 6436
BEA BRITISH EUROPEAN AIRWAYS
[original user]

G-APME
---
Comet Line nbr: 6436
1959-1971 (1973?)

BEA flew 18 Comets as original user:
#6421: G-APMA, #6422: G-APMB, #6423: G-APMC, #6426: G-APMF, #6435: G-APMD, #6436: G-APME, #6437: G-APYC, #6438: G-APYD, #6440: G-APZM, #6442: G-APMG, #6447: G-ARDI, #6449: G-ARCO, #6451: G-ARCP, #6452: G-ARJK, #6453: G-ARGM, #6455: G-ARJL, #6456: G-ARJM, #6459: G-ARJN

Later registrations of G-APME:
G-APMC (BEA Airtours)
G-APMC (Dan-Air)

---

# 6437
BEA BRITISH EUROPEAN AIRWAYS
[original user]

G-APYC
---
Comet Line nbr: 6437
1960, 1969 (1978)

BEA flew 18 Comets as original user:
#6421: G-APMA, #6422: G-APMB, #6423: G-APMC, #6426: G-APMF, #6435: G-APMD, #6436: G-APME, #6437: G-APYC, #6438: G-APYD, #6440: G-APZM, #6442: G-APMG, #6447: G-ARDI, #6449: G-ARCO, #6451: G-ARCP, #6452: G-ARJK, #6453: G-ARGM, #6455: G-ARJL, #6456: G-ARJM, #6459: G-ARJN

Later registrations of G-APYC:
G-APYC (Olympic Airways)
SX-DAK (Olympic Airways), #2
G-APYC (Channel Airways)
G-APYC (Dan-Air)

In flight

Airline issued by:
United Arab Airlines

# 6439
UNITED ARAB AIRLINES
[original user]

SU-ALC
---
Comet Line nbr: 6439
1960-1970

UAA flew 9 Comets as original user:
#6439: SU-ALC, #6441: SU-ALD, #6444: SU-ALE,
#6454: SU-ALL, #6458: SU-ALM, #6462: SU-AMV,
#6464: SU-AMW, #6466: SU-ANC, #6475: SU-ANI

Later registrations of SU-ALc:
None

Fate: Written off after an emergency landing after take-off from Munich airpot due to engine problems.
[Aviation Safety Network]

Cairo International Airport
[CAI/HECA]

Postcard published by:
Egyptian General Organization for News, Publications, Distribution and Printing,
Cairo, United Arab Republic (Egypt).
Printed by: Krüger, Germany.

# 6444
UNITED ARAB AIRLINES
[original user]

SU-ALE
---
Comet Line nbr: 6444
1960-1970

UAA flew 9 Comets as original user:
#6439: SU-ALC, #6441: SU-ALD, #6444: SU-ALE,
#6454: SU-ALL, #6458: SU-ALM, #6462: SU-AMV,
#6464: SU-AMW, #6466: SU-ANC, #6475: SU-ANI

Later registrations of SU-ALE:
None

Fate: Written off after an emergency landing after take-off from Munich airpot due to engine problems.
[Aviation Safety Network]

Beirut International Airport
[BEI/OLBA]

Airline issued by MEA

# 6446
MIDDLE EAST AIRLINES
[original user]

OD-ADQ
---
Comet Line nbr: 6446
1961-1968

MEA flew 4 Comets as original user:
#6445: OD-ADR, #6446: OD-ADQ,
#6448: OD-ADS, #6450: OD-ADT

Later registrations of OD-ADQ:
None

Fate: Destroyed by Israeli military during an attack on Beirut airport in December 1968.
[Aviation Safety Network]

---

# 6455
BEA BRITISH EUROPEAN AIRWAYS
[original user]

G-ARJL
---
Comet Line nbr: 6455
1961-1970 (1973)

Later registrations of G-ARJL:
G-ARJL (Olympic Airways) - leased 1964-65?
G-ARJL (BEA Air Tours)
G-APYC (Dan-Air)

Gibraltar
[GIB/LXGB]

Postcard published by:
John Hinde Ltd,
Cabinteely, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland

# 6459
BEA BRITISH EUROPEAN AIRWAYS
[original user]

G-ARJN
---
Comet Line nbr: 6459
1961-1970 (1977)

Later registrations of G-ARJN:
G-ARJN (BEA Airtours)
G-ARJN (Dan-Air)

Unknown airport

Postcard published by:
John Hinde, Ireland.

# 6462
UNITED ARAB AIRLINES
[original user]

SU-AMV
---
Comet Line nbr: 6462
1961-1971 (1976)

UAA flew 9 Comets as original user:
#6439: SU-ALC, #6441: SU-ALD, #6444: SU-ALE,
#6454: SU-ALL, #6458: SU-ALM, #6462: SU-AMV,
#6464: SU-AMW, #6466: SU-ANC, #6475: SU-ANI

Later registrations of SU-AMV:
SU-AMV (Egyptair)
G-BEEY (Dan-Air)- bought for parts

Comets with unknown registration

BEA

de Havilland Comet 4
Unknown registration

Rome/Fiumicino
[FCO/LIRF]