OMG!! I was about 10 when I saw it sitting at Chicago O'Hare, and asked my dad what it was! That was around 1986. Crazy how we might have crossed paths as youth and had a fascination with this airplane. I would see it when I flew out of Chicago constantly. My old man was with Republic Airlines back then. I am devastated to learn the planes fuselage was cut up. That plane deserved to be in a museum!
At one point, according to a 40 year ORD United captain, someone tried to start the engines and test taxi, back in the early 80s, after buying it. The tower immediately notices activity, and a start cart, and fuel truck, and guard is dispatched till the FAA could intervene. I remember this since I've been flying in and out of ORD for 51 years and remember this plane well. Only way I ever got close to see it was when taxiing to 32r. Just sad to see it rot away. I would also watch episode 2 when complete. Thanks for filling my brain with jelly beans this morning, as I am a fountain of useless knowledge as well..
Hi bf8164, thanks for replying! I've also heard a similar story many times. The city certainly kept it away from visitors for so many years. Being able to work on it certainly was a highlight of my teen years. And, many people keep asking for Episode 2... I guess I should work on that. A million other tasks currently...
I heard the same story, I also heard one of the engines was removed and at the nudist colony that bought it. I flew out of Ohara a lot in the early 80's and was always intrigued by it. Read thats how the FAA figured out metal fatigue from pressurization and depressurization.
I worked on a BOAC Comet when I started my Engineering training at British Airways in 1979. The aircraft was just for training and never flown. British engineering when we (British) we’re the worlds best for manufacturing aircraft, cars, ships, motorcycles and trains. Yes that was many many years ago. What do we do now????? Yes nothing!!!
Hi Harprit, thank you for sharing! That's amazing! I think that Comet 4 started life as XA-NAB with Mexicana, and eventually wound up as G-APDT. It was painted in British Airways markings and used as a trainer. It was scrapped around 1990.
I too grew up near O'Hare Field (Park Ridge, 1960s) and recall the "O'Hare Comet" in later years. I was always hoping that someone would fix it up and fly it out. Sorry to see it was eventually scrapped instead of going to the Smithsonian as was the plan. I'm just curious, have any parts from it been preserved in a museum or even some people's own collections?
WAL_DC-6B, thanks for writing! No parts were retained that I'm aware of, but we did obtain a truck trailer full of Comet 4C parts from LeRoy Olsen in Washington, back in 1987. Those parts were part of Mexicana's spare parts inventory originally. Today, that trailer and the parts are at the Museum Of Flight Restoration Center at KPAE. The "Comet Team" at KORD supplied them when N999WA was broken up. To address your comment of flying it again, that would have been impossible. There was so much skin and structural corrosion, as well as dryrot with seals, wire insulation, and more, that the airplane was literally fading away at that time.
@@aviationtutorialsvid I didn't think much if any remained of the "O'Hare Comet," but those spare parts perhaps will find a use sometime in the future. I had heard from someone that the De Havilland Comet tended to literally be a bit "thin skinned" so it doesn't surprise me that the airliner wasn't in very good shape at the end.
@@WAL_DC-6B You're referring to the original Comet 1 series (short body), which flew in 1949 and entered service in 1952. By 1954, they (22 models built) were removed from service. This airplane had thin skin, with a brittle alloy, and was the version that experienced the explosive decompression. By 1959, DeHavilland had completely redeveloped the airplane as the Comet 4, 4B, and 4C (long body, new engines, new wings, new tail surfaces, new structure, new landing gear). It was a completely different airplane and flew for 20+ years for several airlines. I think they built 75 4/4B/4C series airplanes. The last airline Comet 4C flew in 1980 with Dan Air, and the RAE flew the last Comet 4C in 1997. The O'Hare Comet was a 4C model and flew from 1959 to 1976.
Thanks Jason! I'm having a little trouble digging up the footage I need for Part 2, so hopefully I'l find it soon. Thanks for your interest -- please feel free to indicate how you found this video on TH-cam!
It's not too loud on our systems here. There's a likelihood that your audio playback on your phone/computer/etc. is doing some post-processing that boosts certain audio frequencies. This happens on some people's systems.
I remember seeing that Comet out there for years.
OMG!! I was about 10 when I saw it sitting at Chicago O'Hare, and asked my dad what it was! That was around 1986. Crazy how we might have crossed paths as youth and had a fascination with this airplane. I would see it when I flew out of Chicago constantly. My old man was with Republic Airlines back then.
I am devastated to learn the planes fuselage was cut up. That plane deserved to be in a museum!
Thanks, Chris! I'm glad you liked the video. It certainly deserved to be in a museum!
I worked at O'Hare Airport from 1974-1995 and remember seeing the plane parked there for years.
Thank you for replying! Please be sure to subscribe. I'll have more videos about the O'Hare Comet coming up.
Steve, great job! I’m curious when part 2 will come out. It was great flying with you!
Likewise! Thanks for watching the video, and it was great flying with you too! Talk to you soon!
At one point, according to a 40 year ORD United captain, someone tried to start the engines and test taxi, back in the early 80s, after buying it. The tower immediately notices activity, and a start cart, and fuel truck, and guard is dispatched till the FAA could intervene. I remember this since I've been flying in and out of ORD for 51 years and remember this plane well. Only way I ever got close to see it was when taxiing to 32r. Just sad to see it rot away. I would also watch episode 2 when complete. Thanks for filling my brain with jelly beans this morning, as I am a fountain of useless knowledge as well..
Hi bf8164, thanks for replying! I've also heard a similar story many times. The city certainly kept it away from visitors for so many years. Being able to work on it certainly was a highlight of my teen years. And, many people keep asking for Episode 2... I guess I should work on that. A million other tasks currently...
I heard the same story, I also heard one of the engines was removed and at the nudist colony that bought it. I flew out of Ohara a lot in the early 80's and was always intrigued by it. Read thats how the FAA figured out metal fatigue from pressurization and depressurization.
I worked on a BOAC Comet when I started my Engineering training at British Airways in 1979.
The aircraft was just for training and never flown.
British engineering when we (British) we’re the worlds best for manufacturing aircraft, cars, ships, motorcycles and trains. Yes that was many many years ago.
What do we do now????? Yes nothing!!!
Hi Harprit, thank you for sharing! That's amazing! I think that Comet 4 started life as XA-NAB with Mexicana, and eventually wound up as G-APDT. It was painted in British Airways markings and used as a trainer. It was scrapped around 1990.
I too grew up near O'Hare Field (Park Ridge, 1960s) and recall the "O'Hare Comet" in later years. I was always hoping that someone would fix it up and fly it out. Sorry to see it was eventually scrapped instead of going to the Smithsonian as was the plan. I'm just curious, have any parts from it been preserved in a museum or even some people's own collections?
WAL_DC-6B, thanks for writing! No parts were retained that I'm aware of, but we did obtain a truck trailer full of Comet 4C parts from LeRoy Olsen in Washington, back in 1987. Those parts were part of Mexicana's spare parts inventory originally. Today, that trailer and the parts are at the Museum Of Flight Restoration Center at KPAE. The "Comet Team" at KORD supplied them when N999WA was broken up. To address your comment of flying it again, that would have been impossible. There was so much skin and structural corrosion, as well as dryrot with seals, wire insulation, and more, that the airplane was literally fading away at that time.
@@aviationtutorialsvid I didn't think much if any remained of the "O'Hare Comet," but those spare parts perhaps will find a use sometime in the future. I had heard from someone that the De Havilland Comet tended to literally be a bit "thin skinned" so it doesn't surprise me that the airliner wasn't in very good shape at the end.
@@WAL_DC-6B You're referring to the original Comet 1 series (short body), which flew in 1949 and entered service in 1952. By 1954, they (22 models built) were removed from service. This airplane had thin skin, with a brittle alloy, and was the version that experienced the explosive decompression. By 1959, DeHavilland had completely redeveloped the airplane as the Comet 4, 4B, and 4C (long body, new engines, new wings, new tail surfaces, new structure, new landing gear). It was a completely different airplane and flew for 20+ years for several airlines. I think they built 75 4/4B/4C series airplanes. The last airline Comet 4C flew in 1980 with Dan Air, and the RAE flew the last Comet 4C in 1997. The O'Hare Comet was a 4C model and flew from 1959 to 1976.
Anxious for Part 2!
Thanks Jason! I'm having a little trouble digging up the footage I need for Part 2, so hopefully I'l find it soon. Thanks for your interest -- please feel free to indicate how you found this video on TH-cam!
Great,informative video,but DUDE !! The piano music is TOO LOUD !!!!!
It's not too loud on our systems here. There's a likelihood that your audio playback on your phone/computer/etc. is doing some post-processing that boosts certain audio frequencies. This happens on some people's systems.
@@aviationtutorialsvid Awesome. Thank you.
😢😢