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| Three views of G-ADAH preserved at MOSI Manchester |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | de Havilland |
| First flight: | 1934 |
| Propulsion: | de Havilland Gypsy 6 piston engine (2) |
| Number built: | 727 |
The DH89 Dragon Rapide was a development of the earlier DH84 Dragon and the DH86 Express. The Dragon Rapide was a scaled down version of the Express and used the same Gypsy 6 engines, tapered biplane wings and fuselage design largely made from plywood. Although a fairly simple aircraft it had few vices and was durable and reliable.
The prototype, which was known as the Dragon 6, first flew in early 1934 with customer deliveries commencing in the Summer. At the commencement of the Second World War the type was accepted into RAF service in a number of roles including communications and wireless training, the type being known as the Dominie in military service.
After the war hundreds of war surplus Dragon Rapides were supplied to rebuilding allied air forces and air lines. It was also used by British European Airlines and other British airlines on domestic services in the 1950s. A number of Dragon Rapides are still airworthy.
The prototype, which was known as the Dragon 6, first flew in early 1934 with customer deliveries commencing in the Summer. At the commencement of the Second World War the type was accepted into RAF service in a number of roles including communications and wireless training, the type being known as the Dominie in military service.
After the war hundreds of war surplus Dragon Rapides were supplied to rebuilding allied air forces and air lines. It was also used by British European Airlines and other British airlines on domestic services in the 1950s. A number of Dragon Rapides are still airworthy.
