de Havilland DH88 Comet Racer

Aircraft overview:

De Havilland designed and built the DH88 Comet Racer in nine months as a response to a chance in winning an air race proposed by Sir MacPherson Robertson in October of 1934. The winner would get £10,000 in prize money if they were the first to fly from England to Australia. The purpose of the race was to celebrate the centenary of the foundation of the State of Victoria. Three Comet Racers were ordered to take part in the race; G-ACSR, G-ACSP and G-ACSS. G-ACSP was painted black and gold and named ‘Black Magic’.

Aircraft specifications:

Power Unit: 2 x 230 hp (172 kW) de Havilland Gipsy 6 R engines

Wing Span: 44 ft (13.4 m)

Height: 10 ft (3 m)

Length: 29 ft (8.8 m)

Loaded Weight: 5,500 lb (2,495 kg)

Max speed: 237 mph (381 kph)

Service Ceiling: 19,000 ft (5,791 m)

Range: 2,925 miles (4,707 km)

On display at the Museum:

The Museum’s exhibit was originally constructed as G-ACSS “Grosvenor House” for a film, but is being restored here as the unnamed G-ACSR which also took part in the 1934 air race.