Complex sentence: In the late 1970s preformed aluminium battens became common and in 1980, the "Comet" "The Comet" was produced from 1980 to 1984 by "Ultralight Products" (UP).
Split into simpler sentences: In the late 1970s preformed aluminium battens became common. And in 1980, the "Comet" "The Comet" was produced from 1980 to 1984 by "Ultralight Products" (UP).