Today in History
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Today in History |
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July 27, 1947 |
July 27, 1949 saw the inaugural flight of the de Havilland Comet, the world's first commercial jet airliner. Manufactured by a British company, de Havilland, the craft was a high point in early aeronautical design and was powered by four jet engines. Unfortunately, early models suffered from catastrophic metal fatigue, and a series of well-publicized accidents ensued, costing the design public and commercial confidence. The company withdrew the plane from production and it underwent a series of re-designs. In all, 114 were built and put into production.
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