Model D17 Comet

The Model D17 Comet (モデルD17 コメット) was a replica biplane aircraft based on the Beech Aircraft Corporation’s Model D17 Staggerwing biplane originally produced in 1933 AD. In the Universal Century, these replica aircraft continued to serve civilian operators, demonstrating the enduring appeal of classic aviation designs even in an era dominated by advanced aerospace technology.

History

The Model D17 Comet represented a continuation of pre-Universal Century aviation heritage into the mobile suit era. Based on the original Beech Model D17 Staggerwing design from 1933 AD, these replica aircraft were produced by unknown manufacturers for civilian use, appealing to aviation enthusiasts and operators who valued the classic biplane’s distinctive characteristics and proven reliability.

The original Beech Model D17 Staggerwing was renowned for its innovative design that combined the classic biplane configuration with modern engineering for its era. The aircraft featured negative stagger wings (where the upper wing was positioned behind the lower wing), retractable landing gear, and enclosed cabin accommodation that was advanced for biplanes of the 1930s.

In UC 0087, during the Gryps Conflict, a Model D17 Comet played a notable role in supporting AEUG and Karaba operations. Beltorchika Irma piloted a Comet to guide the transport plane Audhumla as it travelled across North America while being pursued by Titans forces. This mission demonstrated the continued utility of civilian aircraft for specialized operations even in the mobile suit era.

Design

The Model D17 Comet faithfully reproduced the distinctive characteristics of the original Beech Model D17 Staggerwing design. The aircraft featured the characteristic negative stagger biplane configuration that gave the Staggerwing its name, where the upper wing was positioned behind the lower wing rather than above it. This unusual arrangement provided improved pilot visibility and contributed to the aircraft’s distinctive appearance.

The replica maintained the enclosed cabin design of the original, providing accommodation for one pilot and up to three passengers in a standard cockpit configuration. This enclosed arrangement offered improved comfort and weather protection compared to open-cockpit biplanes, making the aircraft suitable for longer flights and operations in adverse weather conditions.

Powerplant and performance

The Model D17 Comet was powered by a radial engine driving a conventional propeller, following the configuration of the original 1933 design. The original Beech Model D17 Staggerwing was capable of achieving a maximum speed of 341 km/h, which was impressive performance for a biplane of its era and likely matched by the Universal Century replica versions.

The radial engine configuration provided the reliability and power characteristics that made the original design successful. Radial engines were known for their durability and ability to continue operating even after sustaining damage, qualities that remained valuable for civilian aircraft operations in the Universal Century.

Structural characteristics

The Model D17 Comet retained the advanced structural features that distinguished the original Staggerwing design. The aircraft’s construction incorporated modern materials and techniques that were advanced for a 1930s biplane, including a stressed-skin fuselage and retractable landing gear that improved both performance and ground handling characteristics.

The biplane wing configuration provided excellent low-speed handling characteristics and short-field performance, making the aircraft suitable for operations from smaller airfields or improvised landing sites. These characteristics proved valuable for civilian operations where versatility and operational flexibility were important considerations.

Operational use

The Model D17 Comet served civilian operators in various roles throughout the Universal Century, demonstrating the continued relevance of traditional aircraft designs for specific applications. While advanced aerospace technology dominated military and commercial aviation, replica aircraft like the Comet filled niche roles where their unique characteristics provided advantages over more modern designs.

The aircraft’s classic biplane configuration and relatively simple systems made it appealing to aviation enthusiasts and operators who valued traditional flying characteristics. The Model D17’s reputation for reliability and distinctive appearance also made it popular for ceremonial, recreational, and specialized transport applications.

The Model D17 Comet’s most notable documented service involved navigation and guidance missions where its characteristics proved particularly valuable. During Beltorchika Irma’s mission to guide the Audhumla across North America, the Comet’s ability to operate independently while maintaining visual contact with the larger transport proved crucial for mission success.

The aircraft’s excellent visibility from the cockpit and stable flight characteristics made it well-suited for precision navigation tasks. The pilot’s ability to maintain visual contact with other aircraft while navigating complex routes demonstrated the continued value of traditional aviation skills and equipment in specific operational contexts.

Civilian operations

Beyond its notable military support role, the Model D17 Comet likely served in various civilian applications throughout the Universal Century. The aircraft’s passenger capacity and range capabilities made it suitable for personal transport, business aviation, and recreational flying applications where modern efficiency was less important than character and traditional flying experience.

The replica aircraft’s appeal to aviation enthusiasts ensured continued demand for classic designs even as aerospace technology advanced rapidly. This market supported manufacturers who produced faithful reproductions of historic aircraft for civilian operators who valued traditional aviation heritage.

Technical specifications

The Model D17 Comet’s technical specifications closely matched those of the original 1933 Beech Model D17 Staggerwing, with accommodations for one pilot and three passengers in an enclosed cabin configuration. The aircraft’s performance characteristics, including its maximum speed of 341 km/h, represented excellent capabilities for a biplane design and remained competitive for specialized civilian applications.

The aircraft’s radial engine provided reliable power for extended operations while maintaining the authentic character of the original design. The propeller-driven configuration offered simplicity and reliability that appealed to civilian operators, particularly those operating in areas where maintenance support for more complex systems might be limited.

Operational characteristics

The Model D17 Comet’s operational characteristics emphasized versatility and reliability over raw performance. The aircraft’s biplane configuration provided excellent short-field performance and low-speed handling, making it suitable for operations from smaller airfields or improvised landing sites that might challenge more modern aircraft designs.

The enclosed cabin configuration provided comfort for passengers during extended flights while protecting occupants from weather conditions. This feature made the aircraft suitable for cross-country flights and operations in varying weather conditions, expanding its utility beyond fair-weather recreational flying.

Known pilots

Beltorchika Irma

Beltorchika Irma piloted a Model D17 Comet during UC 0087 to guide the AEUG/Karaba transport plane Audhumla as it travelled across North America while being pursued by Titans forces. Her skilled piloting and navigation during this challenging mission demonstrated both the aircraft’s capabilities and the continued importance of traditional aviation skills in the mobile suit era.

Behind the scenes

The Model D17 Comet was designed for Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam as part of the series’ comprehensive depiction of the Universal Century world. The aircraft’s inclusion reflected the production team’s attention to realistic civilian technology and their desire to show continuity between historical aviation and the advanced aerospace technology of the mobile suit era.

The choice to base the Comet on the real-world Beech Model D17 Staggerwing demonstrated the series creators’ knowledge of aviation history and their commitment to grounding the Gundam universe in recognizable historical precedents. The Staggerwing was an appropriate choice as it represented an advanced biplane design that bridged traditional and modern aviation concepts.

The aircraft’s role in guiding the Audhumla provided an opportunity to showcase traditional aviation skills and highlight the continued relevance of conventional aircraft for specialized missions. This narrative choice emphasized themes of technological continuity and the value of traditional skills even in an advanced technological environment.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

External links

Model D17 Comet on MAHQ
Beech Model 17 Staggerwing on Wikipedia