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East African Airways

'Fly among friends'

De Havilland Comet 4

The Comet 4 was ordered by EAA in 1958 and the first two delivered in 1960.

They were bought to compete with BOAC on the London route who were running the Britannia (to Entebbe) and the Comet through Nairobi to Rhodesia and Johannesburg.. EAA only had piston-engined noisy Argonauts (known to EAA as Canadairs) at that point. After the first two, EAA immediately ordered a third which was delivered in 1962. It was actually the last type 4 delivered as by that time the main variants were 4B (BEA and Olympic) and 4C for other overseas customers. No more were ordered new, as by 1965 the VC10 was available. However one was leased during 1965-1967 from BOAC and several during 1970-1971 from Dan-Air.

Early picture of the second Comet VP-KPK at Heathrow) via John Evanich
Early picture of the second Comet VP-KPK at Heathrow) via John Evanich
Early publicity picture
From EAA brochure
5Y-AAA (ex VP-KRL) in the immediate post-independence scheme after being re-registered. Note the 4 flags on the tail, just below the lion. As well as Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, this would include Zanzibar before its union with Tanganyika to form Tanzania in 1964 Parked at the then new London Heathrow Terminal 3, as you can see aircraft were parked either nose in or nose out from the Terminal. Dated 9th May 1964. photo by Ian MacFarlane
5H-AAF (ex VP-KPK) in the later 1966 scheme
Superb shot of a Comet in later livery Tony Russell
Temporary lease in from Dan-Air early 1970. Formerly G-APDK of BOAC. Tony Russell

 

Original Registrations

Registration Aircraft c/n Previous Acquired Disposal Remarks
VP-KPJ DH106 Comet 4 6431 – 1960   To 5X-AAO
VP-KPK DH106 Comet 4 6433 – 1960   To 5H-AAF
VP-KRL DH106 Comet 4 6472 – 1962   To 5Y-AAA

Aircraft registered in Tanzania after 1963

Registration Aircraft c/n Previous Acquired Disposal Remarks
5H-AAF DH106 Comet 4 6433 see VP-KPK 1960 1970 Transferred to SKAT 1968. Sold to Dan-Air 11/70. d/d 6/1/71

Aircraft registered in Uganda after 1963

Registration Aircraft c/n Previous Acquired Disposal Remarks
5X-AAO DH106 Comet 4 6431 see VP-KPJ 1960 1970 Transferred to SKAT 1968. Sold to Dan-Air 11/70.

Aircraft registered in Kenya after 1963

Registration Aircraft c/n Previous Acquired Disposal Remarks
5Y-AAA DH106 Comet 4 6472 see VP-KRL 1962 1971 Transferred to SKAT 1968. Sold to Dan-Air 11/70. d/d 8/2/71
5Y-ADD DH106 Comet 4 6413 G-APDL 1965 1967 Leased from BOAC 10/65 to 3/67
5Y-ALD DH106 Comet 4 6412 G-APDK 1970 1970 Leased from Dan-Air 9/1/70 to 21/3/70
5Y-ALF DH106 Comet 4 6406 G-APDE, 9M-AOE, 9V-BAU,

G-APDE

 1970 1970 Leased from Dan-Air 22/2/70 to 12/70
5Y-AMT DH106 Comet 4 6405 G-APDD,

9M-AOD,

G-APDD

 1970 1971 Leased from Dan-Air 28/12/70 to 22/2/71