Comet over Palmyra by Ulis Racing Legends

The 'De Havilland Aircraft Company' produced 127 aircraft between 1915 and 1959, with the DH.88 Comet being one of the standouts. It first flew on September 8, 1934, specifically designed for the 'Victorian Centennary Air Race'. Geoffrey de Havilland aimed for a British victory and offered to build a racing plane for 5000 pounds. The 'MacRobertson Air Race' began on October 20, 1934, just 40 days after the Comet's maiden flight, covering 18,200 km from Mildenhall, England, to Melbourne, Australia. Sixty thousand spectators witnessed the start, with participants and aircraft predominantly from England, Australia, and the USA. Jim Mollison and Amy Johnson, renowned pilots and record-breakers, flew the black Comet, leading until Karachi. However, they had to abandon their victory dream due to engine failure caused by poor fuel in Jobbolpore, India. The favored three-engine Pander S4 'Panderjager' also crashed out in Allahabad. The Dutch Douglas DC-2 'Uiver' was often second for four days, but the 'Grosvenor House' Comet with C.W.A Scott and T. Campbell Black won, reaching Melbourne in 71 hours. The US crew Turner/Pangborn/Nichols followed with their Beechcraft 247-D, arriving after 92 hours and 55 minutes.