Editing De Havilland Comet (section)

===Comet 2===
[[File:De Havilland Comet CMk.2.jpg|thumb|Comet C2, XK671 ''Aquila'' at [[RAF Waterbeach]], fitted with revised round windows]]

The '''Comet 2''' had a slightly larger wing, higher fuel capacity and more-powerful Rolls-Royce Avon engines, which all improved the aircraft's range and performance;<ref name=Jackson175/> its fuselage was {{cvt|3|ft|1|in}} longer than the Comet 1's.<ref name=ca1953/> Design changes had been made to make the aircraft more suitable for transatlantic operations.<ref name=Jackson175>Jackson 1980, p. 175.</ref> Following the Comet 1 disasters, these models were rebuilt with heavier-gauge skin and rounded windows, and the Avon engines featuring larger air intakes and outward-curving jet tailpipes.{{refn|Avon-powered Comets were distinguished by larger air intakes and curved tailpipes that reduced the thermal effect on the rear fuselage.<ref name=Munson155/>|group=N}}<ref name=Munson155>Munson 1967, p. 155.</ref> A total of 12 of the 44-seat Comet 2s were ordered by BOAC for the South Atlantic route.<ref name=Times52516>"Comet Service To South America Planned" (News). ''The Times'', Saturday, Issue 52516, 10 January 1953, col G, p. 3.</ref> The first production aircraft (G-AMXA) flew on 27 August 1953.<ref name=Jacksondhp456>Jackson 1987, p. 456.</ref> Although these aircraft performed well on test flights on the South Atlantic, their range was still not suitable for the North Atlantic. All but four Comet 2s were allocated to the RAF, deliveries beginning in 1955. Modifications to the interiors allowed the Comet 2s to be used in several roles. For VIP transport, the seating and accommodations were altered and provisions for carrying medical equipment including iron lungs were incorporated. Specialised [[signals intelligence]] and electronic surveillance capability was later added to some airframes.<ref name=Swanborough48/>
* '''Comet 2X''': Limited to a single Comet Mk 1 powered by four Rolls-Royce Avon 502 turbojet engines and used as a development aircraft for the Comet 2.<ref name=Jackson175/>
* '''Comet 2E''': Two Comet 2 airliners were fitted with Avon 504s in the inner nacelles and Avon 524s in the outer ones. These aircraft were used by BOAC for proving flights during 1957–1958.<ref name=Jackson175/>
* '''Comet T2''': The first two of 10 Comet 2s for the RAF were fitted out as crew trainers, the first aircraft (XK669) flying initially on 9 December 1955.<ref name=Swanborough48>Swanborough 1962, p. 48.</ref>
* '''Comet C2''': Eight Comet 2s originally destined for the civil market were completed for the RAF and assigned to [[No. 216 Squadron RAF|No. 216 Squadron]].<ref name=Swanborough48/>
* '''Comet 2R''': Three Comet 2s were modified for use in radar and electronic systems development, initially assigned to No. 90 Group (later [[RAF Signals Command|Signals Command]]) for the RAF.<ref name=Swanborough48/> In service with [[No. 192 Squadron RAF|No. 192]] and [[No. 51 Squadron RAF|No. 51 Squadron]]s, the 2R series was equipped to monitor [[Warsaw Pact]] signal traffic and operated in this role from 1958.<ref name=Walker159/>{{refn|The 2R ELINT series was operational until 1974, when replaced by the Nimrod R1, the last Comet derivative in RAF service.<ref name=Walker159>Walker 2000, p. 159.</ref>|group=N}}