Deep Impact: Analyzing a De Havilland Comet’s Historic Paint Layers

Marochini, Suncana; Troalen, Lore

Deep Impact: Analyzing a De Havilland Comet’s Historic Paint Layers

Resource type

Abstract

Creator (person)

Marochini, Suncana

Troalen, Lore

ORCID

Date published

2022

Abstract

A De Havilland Comet is one of three aeroplanes exhibited outdoors at the National Museum of Flight (Scotland), which has created different conservation challenges over the years, as the aeroplane is subjected to a harsh and uncontrolled environment. Unfortunately, a plan to relocate the Comet indoors had to be postponed, leaving conservators with only the option to maintain the condition of the aeroplane in situ. However, due to the rapid deterioration of the aeroplane’s exterior, the question of the sustainability of current practices and acceptable invasiveness of future treatment has been posed. A recent paint analysis using digital microscopy, SEM-EDS, and micro-FTIR revealed the presence of well-defined historical paint layers on the Comet. However, as a direct consequence of its exposure to the elements, the underlying metal substrate was rapidly degrading and visibly affecting the paint layers. These revelations posed a question of which approach should be taken in the future, as conservators will have to choose whether to prioritize the Comet’s long-term stability, its aesthetic, or its historical values. With no updated plans for moving Comet to an indoor controlled environment, options to slow down the degradation process seemed to be more in favour of stripping the paint and creating a good substrate for newly applied primer and aviation-grade paint. Although this would provide a more sustainable option in the long term by preventing the loss of substrate, implementing this treatment option would not allow for the historic layers to be preserved. Therefore, the option of preserving a small section of the fuselage of the aeroplane to showcase the historic layer was offered as a solution. This case study hopes to showcase the importance of analysis when planning future treatments and to initiate a discussion of difficult decision-making involved in the future treatment of Comet.