DH 88 Comet
Here's my recently completed DH 88 Comet from Mikro Mir in 1:48. As far as I know this is the only kit of this famous aircraft in 1:48, there have been several from various manufacturers in 1:72 and even 1:32.
This kit is one of those higher-end limited run offerings that require some advanced planning, dry-fitting, clean-up, and some extra work. The kit offers highly detailed engines if you choose to build it without the cowlings, but the detailed engines won't fit inside the cowlings. So, I did the bare minimum work on the engines, as I needed something to attach the prop shafts to and built the engine cowlings around the engines, which required a lot of sanding, re-shaping, and filler. Only the front cylinders of the engines are visible through the air intakes, so I added pushrods to only the two front cylinders. The landing gear and wheel wells as well as the firewalls, engine mounts, engines and cowling are built as a unit, then installed in the wings. The cockpit parts fit together with minimal re-work, then when the fuselage halves were joined together everything else went together without much trouble. If I had to build another, I would leave the gear legs off until later, as I broke a couple of legs off during the sanding and filling work on the wings. That necessitated building new legs from micro tubing and wire reinforcements after everything else was ready for primer and paint. This kit only had decals for one of the three comets built which was the red one, “Grosvenor House”. The decals went on nicely, but don't leave them in the water too long or they will curl up onto themselves. I finished it with Tamiya Gloss Red with a couple of coats of Alclad Gloss Lacquer over the red.
Others on this site have detailed the history of the three DH Comets, so I refer you to Roland Sachsenhofer's excellent article.
I found an interesting pre-war 1936 photo of G-ACSS in RAF paint, coded K5084, so it apparently had a military career after the big England to Australia McRobinson Air Race (which it won) in 1934.
That’s beautiful! Really nice work on a great airplane.
Thank you, John
I have the kit. Looked at it several times, then replaced it back in the box. thanks for the inspiration! Yours definitely looks worth the effort, with a great result.
Thanks, Tom. I also looked at mine several times before deciding to get it on!
Super job and excellent result, Chas!
Thanks, Spiros.
Love the looks of this
Thank you, George.
This Comet looks really nice, Chas @chasbunch
Interesting to see it with RAF markings.
Thanks, John. Yeah, I didn't think of it as a military bird until I stumbled upon that photo.
Such a lovely looking plane isn’t it, Chas? Terrific looking considering that’s a difficult kit which is why I passed on it and built the 1/72 Clear Prop kit instead. I hope they release a quarter scale version someday. Congrats on your Comet.
Thanks, Eric. Yes, if Clear Prop does it in 1:48 I'll have to bust open my piggy bank.
A lovely Comet - does the kit include a decal for the under fuselage number?
Thanks, Christopher. The only decal on the underside is the registration G- AC SS on the bottom of the wing.
Beautiful Comet. The red color does it really make stand out!
Stunning photography too.
Thanks, Alfred. Black Magic and the green one we're stunners too.
Excellent work on your Comet Chas, you've made an eye catching build! 👍
Looks great! Well done.
G’day Chas (@chasbunch),
Just catching up…
This is a lovely build of a great looking aircraft.
I’d be tempted to get one if I have the opportunity.
Liked!