Forwarded message - From: Steve Link
In 1934 Geoffrey de Havilland was worried that an acknowledged aviation lead in Britain could slip away unless prompt action was taken. The England to Australia “MacRobertson” air race focused international attention and a wide range of impressive entrants was likely to be forthcoming. He decided to design and produce a highly specialised long-range twin engine racing aircraft that would incorporate a number of innovations with few compromises for comfort or simplicity. In a perilously short space of time a wholly new aircraft – the DH 88 – was designed and three aircraft were built speculatively. De Havilland was successful in selling all three, albeit at a discounted rate. Not surprisingly these aircraft – named Comet – attracted the most famous and competent pilots of the time.
In 1934 Geoffrey de Havilland was worried that an acknowledged aviation lead in Britain could slip away unless prompt action was taken. The England to Australia “MacRobertson” air race focused international attention and a wide range of impressive entrants was likely to be forthcoming. He decided to design and produce a highly specialised long-range twin engine racing aircraft that would incorporate a number of innovations with few compromises for comfort or simplicity. In a perilously short space of time a wholly new aircraft – the DH 88 – was designed and three aircraft were built speculatively. De Havilland was successful in selling all three, albeit at a discounted rate. Not surprisingly these aircraft – named Comet – attracted the most famous and competent pilots of the time.
