1 Air Division

The RCAF de Havilland Comet

We have managed to accumulate a number of photos of the two Comets which were used by the RCAF. As can be expected, we would really appreciate your assistance in expanding the amount of material pertaining to the two Comets which were in the RCAF. If you happen to have any photo or slide - plese consider making this material available for processing and addition to this section of our web site.


Click on the description text to view the photos.
  1. Aerial photo of VC-5302 in flight - 6 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57588.

  2. Larger image of VC-5302 in flight - 6 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57588.

  3. Aerial photo of unidentified RCAF Comet - 6 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-212.

  4. Larger image of unidentified RCAF comet in flight - 6 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-212.

  5. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - 3 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62825.

  6. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - 3 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62825.

  7. VC-5301 taxiing at an unidentified location - 3 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62829.

  8. Larger image of VC-5301 taxiing at an unidentified location - 3 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62829.

  9. Right hand side of a Comet showing RCAF markings - 3 December 1953.
    Excellent photo of the original "square windows".
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62830.

  10. VC-5301 on the flight line - 3 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62837.

  11. Larger image of VC-5301 on the flight line - 3 December 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62837.

  12. Unidentified RCAF Comet at RCAF Station Greenwood - November 1953.
    Courtesy Roger Cyr.

  13. A crowd around comet VC-5301 at Uplands - 6 October 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre CAL-43-281-16.

  14. Larger image of the crowd around the comet at Uplands - 6 October 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre CAL-43-281-16.

    A de Havilland Comet IA of the RCAF flew non-stop from Goose Bay, Labrador to London, England - covering the 2,460 miles in 5 hours 56 minutes - 4 October 1953.

  15. VC-5301 prior to a Johanesburg training flight - 4 October 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62845.

  16. VC-5301 prior to a Johanesburg training flight - 4 October 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62845.

  17. RCAF officers in the cockpit of a Comet - October 1953.
    (L-R) Unidentified senior officer, F/L John Albert Anderson at the controls.
    Courtesy Department of National Defence PL-62094.

  18. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - August 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-164.

  19. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - August 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-164.

  20. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - August 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-155.

  21. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - August 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-155.

  22. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - August 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-128.

  23. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - August 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-128.

  24. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-256.

  25. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-256.

  26. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-257.

  27. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-257.

  28. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-128.

  29. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre RNC-128.

  30. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-258.

  31. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-258.

  32. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-259.

  33. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - 16 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-259.

  34. Aerial photo of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57878.

  35. Larger image of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57878.

  36. Aerial photo of VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57879.

  37. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57879.

  38. Aerial photo of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57880.

  39. Larger image of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57880.

  40. Aerial photo of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57881.

  41. Larger image of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57881.

  42. Aerial close up showing the "square windows" on VC-5301 - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57881.

  43. Aerial photo of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57882.

  44. Larger image of RCAF Comet VC-5301 - 15 July 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57882.

  45. Interior photo of an RCAF Comet aircraft - 6 July 1953.
    Note the "square windows" which was the design for the Comet 1 A aircraft.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067797.

  46. Interior photo of an RCAF Comet aircraft - 6 July 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067926.

  47. Interior photo of an RCAF Comet aircraft - 6 July 1953.
    Note the "square windows" which was the design for the Comet 1A aircraft.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067927.

  48. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    RCAF personnel gather under the wing of an RCAF Comet. Note the reflection on the wing.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067776.

  49. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Is this what they mean when they say "check the oil"?.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067777.

  50. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Unidentified RCAF officer deplaning from the Comet. Note the original "square" windows and the "Trans Canada Airlines" ramp.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067778.

  51. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Aircraft parked on the ramp at Winnipeg.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067779.

  52. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Note the original "square shaped windows".
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067780.

  53. Larger image of the previous Cross Canada Tour photo - 22 June 1953.
    Note the original "square shaped windows".
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067780.

  54. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Comet parked by the "City of Edmonton" 418 Reserve Squdron hangar.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067781.

  55. Cross Canada Tour photo - 22 June 1953.
    Unidentified military and civilian personnel in front of the Comet.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067782.

  56. Larger image of the unidentified personnel in front of the Comet - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067782.

  57. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067784.

  58. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067785.

  59. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Comet on the ramp at Moncton.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067786.

  60. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067787.

  61. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067788.

  62. Larger image of the previous Cross Canada Tour photo - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067788.

  63. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067789.

  64. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067792.

  65. Cross Canada Tour - 22 June 1953.
    Aircraft parked on the ramp at Calgary.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067793.

  66. VC-5302 on its "Cross Canada Tour" - 22 June 1953.
    Aircraft parked on the ramp at Vancouver.
    Courtesy Dan Esplen.

  67. Larger image of VC-5302 on the ramp at Vancouver - 22 June 1953.
    Courtesy Dan Esplen.

  68. Front view of VC-5302 on the ramp at Vancouver - 22 June 1953.
    Aircraft parked on the ramp at Vancouver.
    Courtesy Dan Esplen.

  69. Larger image of the previous Cross Canada Tour photo - 22 June 1953.
    Aircraft parked on the ramp at Calgary.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067793.

  70. VC-5301 on the ramp at Moncton - 18 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-70051.

  71. Larger image of VC-5301 on the ramp at Moncton - 18 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-70051.

  72. Aerial photo of VC-5302 - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-214.

  73. Larger image of VC-5302 in flight - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-214.

  74. Aerial photo of VC-5302 - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-216.

  75. Larger image of VC-5302 in flight - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-216.

  76. Aerial photo of VC-5302 - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-217.

  77. Larger image of VC-5302 in flight - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-217.

  78. Aerial photo of VC-5302 - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57606.

  79. Larger image of VC-5302 in flight - 15 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57606.

  80. VC-5301 on the flight line at Uplands - 2 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57432.

  81. Larger image of VC-5301 on the flight line at Uplands - 2 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57432.

  82. VC-5301 on the flight line at Uplands - 2 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57587.

  83. Larger image of VC-5301 on the flight line at Uplands - 2 June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57587.

  84. Aerial photo of VC-5301 near Ottawa - June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-295.

  85. Larger image of VC-5301 in flight near Ottawa - June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PC-295.

  86. VC-5301 on the flight line - June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre CY-422.

  87. Larger image of VC-5301 on the flight line - June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre CY-422.

  88. VC-5301 on the flight line - June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57586.

  89. Larger image of VC-5301 on the flight line - June 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57586.

  90. S/L Lloyd explains the RCAF Comet - 29 May 1953.
    (L-R) - Steven Martin, S/L Lloyd holding Terry Killeen.
    Courtesy Steven A Martin via Hu Filleul.

  91. Welcoming party for the first RCAF Comet at Uplands - 29 May 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57344.

  92. The first RCAF Comet VC-5301 arrives at RCAF Station Uplands - 29 May 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57350.

  93. VC-5301 on arrival at Uplands - 29 May 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57352.

  94. Larger image of VC-5301 at Uplands - 29 May 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57352.

  95. VC-5301 on arrival at Uplands - 29 May 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57353.

  96. Larger image of VC-5301 at Uplands - 29 May 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-57353.

  97. Welcoming party for the first RCAF Comet at Uplands - 29 May 1953.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

    The first RCAF Comet arrives in Canada at Uplands on 29 May 1953

  98. Comet aircrew position - 23 May 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067790.

  99. Comet aircrew position - 23 May 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067922.

  100. Comet aircrew position - 23 May 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067924.

  101. Comet aircrew position - 23 May 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067925.

  102. Comet aircrew position - 23 May 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada PA-067923.

  103. Specifications for the RCAF 1A Comet - May 1953.
    Courtesy Assorted Sources.

  104. VC-5301 requires two complete crews - 24 April 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62857.

  105. Larger image of VC-5301 on the flight line - 24 April 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62857.

  106. Unidentified RCAF Comet in take-off - 18 March 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62843.

  107. Larger image of VC-5301 in take-off - 18 March 1953.
    Courtesy Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre PL-62843.

    The RCAF receives if first Comet on 14 March 1953

  108. History of the Comet in the RCAF - March 1953.
    Courtesy Assorted Sources.

  109. Organization Order 75/49, 412 Transport Squadron, Rockcliffe, Ontario - 24 January 1953.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada.

    412 (T) Squadron is operating from RCAF Station Rockliffe, Ontario - 1 January 1953

Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: March 25, 2005