de Havilland Ghost 50 Mk1
The de Havilland Ghost 50 Mk1 was an early turbojet that powered the world’s first commercial jet airliner, the Comet. It marked a major shift from piston engines to jet propulsion, allowing aircraft to fly faster and higher than ever before. Though limited in thrust and later overshadowed by more advanced designs, it proved that jet-powered passenger travel was practical and paved the way for the modern Jet Age.
Key Specifications
Type
Year Built
Single-spool centrifugal-flow turbojet
1945
Horsepower
~5,000 lbf
Weight
~2,000 lb (907 kg)
Fuel System
Pressure-fed fuel injection
Fuel
Jet fuel (kerosene)
Cooling System
Ignition
Construction
Manufactuer
Air-cooled internal components
High-energy igniters for startup
Steel and nickel alloy components for high-temperature operation
de Havilland Engine Company
Engineering Significance
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•The Ghost engine represented one of the first successful transitions from experimental jet propulsion to reliable commercial operation. Its centrifugal-flow compressor, while simpler than later axial designs, offered strong durability and smoother airflow at a time when jet technology was still in its infancy. By powering the de Havilland Comet, it demonstrated that jet engines could sustain high-speed, high-altitude passenger flight, helping shift aviation away from piston-driven aircraft and toward the modern jet age.
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•The de Havilland Ghost played a central role in introducing the world to jet-powered travel. It enabled the Comet to fly faster and higher than any previous airliner, dramatically reducing travel times and redefining passenger expectations. Although later replaced by more efficient turbofans, it proved that jet propulsion was not just possible, but practical for global commercial aviation.
Notable Aircrafts
•de Havilland Comet 1
•de Havilland Venom
•de Havilland Sea Venom
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de Havilland Comet 1
de Havilland venom