De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

9 Sep 2007 Kemble Airport courtesy Adrian Pingstone
5 Jul 2009 Old Warden airfield courtesy Trevor marron
History
Type	light transport biplane
Role	Short haul passenger plane / trainer
Designer	Arthur Ernest Hagg + team
Manufacturer	de havilland
Number built	727 including 500+ of military version Dominies
Primary users	RAF, Fleet Air Arm, RCAF. RAAF, RNZAF, and 20 other nations used the military version + 63 civil airlines
In service	Mid 1934
Out of service	Several still flying commercially

Remarks

Early work to design a four engine biplane for Australian use led to the two engine version aimed at being more comfortable and faster. In May 1934 a prototype powered by two Gipsy Six engines underwent evaluation by the RAF. By Nov 1934 full scale production was underway, with 205 aircraft delivered to buyers before war broke out. The Rapide competed unsuccessfully with the Avro Anson in 1935 for a RAF contract for coastal surveillance. Flaps were added to production aircraft in 1937, along with metal propellers.

With the outbreak of war, Rapides in the UK and Australia were impressed into military service and used for radio and navigation training, passenger transport and communications. A military version was known as the de Havilland Dominie. Post war many were returned to civilian use, with a very small number still operational.

General characteristics

• Crew: Pilot + 8 passengers
• Length: 10.5 m
• Wingspan: 14.6 m
• Height: 3.1 m
• Empty weight: 1,460 kg
• Max takeoff weight: 2,490 kg
• Powerplant: 2 x de Havilland Gipsy Six engines 200 hp each
• Maximum speed: 253 km/h at 305 m
• Range: 920 km
• Service ceiling: 5,090 m
• Armament Nil

Crew members

No. 1 Air Observers School RAAF

• Gerard Henzell Straughan Hemy Jan - Apr 1941