Heads Up - Comet Crash TV Doc.

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crisso
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Heads Up - Comet Crash TV Doc.

Post by crisso »

On National Geographic (Satellite) Channel at 20.00 BST this Sunday 12th August - 'Seconds from Disaster - Comet Air Crash'.
Have seen some excerpts on YouTube and, it appears to be a reconstruction of the Comet crashing off of Elba, Italy 1954 - using a real old Comet aircraft with actors plus, interlaced with CGI graphics showing what happened. Then, an analysis mainly of CGI graphics showing in detail how the metal fatigue started and spread. Looks promising, except I don't have Sky!

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fournier
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Re: Heads Up - Comet Crash TV Doc.

Post by fournier »

I'm sure I saw this a few weeks back whilst doing a bit of channel surfing.
I have become, comfortably numb.

crisso
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Re: Heads Up - Comet Crash TV Doc.

Post by crisso »

fournier wrote:I'm sure I saw this a few weeks back whilst doing a bit of channel surfing.
Yeah, quite likely I am 'out of date' - it's just I stumbled on this by chance and since - 1) the quality of the production looks good plus, 2) the recent renewed interest in DM's Comet a la VC - thought it worth a mention.

Hope this crops up on a terrestrial channel subsequently...

delticbob
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Re: Heads Up - Comet Crash TV Doc.

Post by delticbob »

I've not dug out my tape to check, but could this be a re-run of a Channel 4 programme "Comet Cover Up", part of the "Secret History" strand, broadcast in 2002

Said programme runs for 49 mins excluding adverts.

The info that comes with it (ex Radio Times info) says:

The launch, in 1952, of the revolutionary Comet aircraft was heralded as a triumph of British inginuity and pioneering spirit. But in less than two years, the reputation of the world's first fast jet passenger airliner was irrevocably tarnished as the result of over 100 people dying in catastrophic accidents. With the Comet fleet grounded indefinitely, a massive investigation ensued, clearing its makers of responsability for the disasters. However, newly discovered documents reveal that senior executives of the govenment, the manufacturers and the national airline were aware that the deign was flawed.

There have been several Nat. Geographic programmes on TV (mainly Channel 5 I think) recently, but the one posted about above could well be a new programme & not the one I post about.

Bob
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crisso
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Re: Heads Up - Comet Crash TV Doc.

Post by crisso »

Hi 'delticbob' - I recollect the previous 'Secret History' programme - remember it was more of a 'trial by tv' type programme critiscising everything from airframe to engines albeit, informative for us enthusiasts.

Check out youtube where there are a few excerpts. This definitely seems to be a new(ish) production with actors (aircrew and passengers) in an actual Comet (museum one I guess) and is in the form of a reconstruction all in colour, interlaced with CGI graphics where applicable.

Maybe worth a look if you have SkyTV...

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Re: Heads Up - Comet Crash TV Doc.

Post by crisso »

Further my previous posts, got around to watching this new(ish?) production (defnitely not seen yet on terrestrial tv) and was very impressed at the atmospheric reconstruction of events both using actors and a real comet plus, the interlacing of cgi graphics. Also, witnesses and later on a current day metallurgist expert who reviewed the evidence using modern technology. Worth a watch guys (and gals) if you get a chance.

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