The second of three Comets for UAT, F-BGSB had already been delivered in February 1953. The third, F-BGSC, skidded off the runway at Dakar and was damaged beyond repair on 25 June, one day before the opening of the Paris Air Show, so F-BGSB's presence at the Salon may have been brief. Other Comet crashes caused F-BGSA and BGSB to be withdrawn in April 1954. On the right is a Mystère II, 010. In the background below the Comet's rearmost cabin window is the Potez 75 attack aircraft F-ZWSA. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

ex French Army 139

The Comet tragedy unfolding. The first of three Comet 1As for UAT, F-BGSA made the first proving flight from Paris to Dakar on 27 December 1952. In the background is CF-CUM for Canadian Pacific. CF-CUM was cancelled after CF-CUN crashed at Karachi during a demonstration tour on 3 March 1953. UAT's F-BGSC was also lost before BOAC's Comet crashes caused F-BGSA and F-BGSB to be grounded in April 1954. They were eventually scrapped in 1961. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Was previously with the French Army (ALAT) as serial 139. The real F-BJLR was c/n 50C.

Most Broussards you encounter are painted in their former military livery. This aircraft in UAT was a nice exception, even if these colours and the registration are fake. It is in fact the former No.139 of the French Army. The real F-BJLR was c/n 50C, and its registration was cancelled from the register in November 1961 as destroyed.

Built in 1954 as N2501A and converted to N2502 in October 1955 with Turbomeca Marbore wingtip auxiliary jets. Exhibited at the 1957 Paris Air Salon with dual Aeromaritime and UAT titles.