The Series 4 Comet was the last and the most successful of all versions. It flew more hours to more destinations, until 1980 with Dan Air, and until 1997 with the RAF. Quite simply, it’s easier to find out about it. If I needed to look at a technical detail, there’s a real aircraft 90 minutes away, at Duxford.
It had the most powerful engines, allowing it to carry a greater load of passengers and fuel, and the range to cross the Atlantic. For X-Plane pilots, there are a far greater number of historically accurate routes to fly in more corners of the world.
It had the most sophisticated instruments and systems. The Comet 4 used the Smiths Flight System, which had been specified by BOAC for all aircraft on major routes since the mid-1950s. It was the first attempt to integrate flying instruments, radio navigation and auto-pilot. For X-Plane, it means the Comet 4 has a “modern” cockpit without compromising authenticity. The instruments may be in separate dials, the cockpit lining may be quilted fabric rather than moulded plastic, but the function is modern. This is especially true of the Comet 4C, which benefited from revisions and improvements throughout the 1970s.
