Charles Knotek: First Jet Passenger Service

Artist: Charles Knotek
1933 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1984
Image Size: 16.25 by 12.75 inches
Overall Size: 20 by 15 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

During the second World War, the United States had developed two transport planes, the four-engined Douglas DC-4 and the Lockheed Constellation. Although still occupied with the War, British leaders were fearful that the airline market following the War would be completely controlled by the Americans, and that the British might never catch up. To deal with this situation, a government study group was formed. Four main proposals were finally decided upon ... and two of them were traditional piston engine airliners which turned out to be impractical. The other two proposals called for a craft powered by jet engines ... a field in which the discoveries and achievements of Great Britain had far surpassed those of America. The prize contract was awarded to Sir Geoffrey de Havilland ... a dignified man undaunted by the seemingly endless problems that would have to be solved. Less than three years after work was begun, the de Havilland Comet was ready for test flights. The unique plane had an aluminum skin less than three-hundredths of an inch thick and was fastened to the skelton with a special glue called Redux. The innovation of jet engines for passenger airplanes necessitated flight at 35,000 feet -- where the air was too thin to breathe. The cabin threrfore was designed to withstand great internal pressures required to maintain safe atmosphere in the craft. On May 2, 1952, the Comet took off from London and headed for Johannesburg, South Africa, becoming the first jet passenger flight in history.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Commemorative Cover for the Man's Conquest of the Heavens series issued in 1983.

Artwork Copyright © 1984 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

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