de Havilland Dragon Rapide G-AGTM, G-AIDL, G-AKRP
| Location: Coventry | In Service: 1934-1962 |
| Manufacturer: de Havilland Aircraft Company, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK | Purpose: Short-haul airliner and military transport |
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Power Plant: Two DH Gipsy Six of 200hp |
Length: 34 ft. 6in. |
| Construction: Plywood frame with fabric covering | Maximum speed: 141mph Range: 573 miles Service ceiling 16,500ft Rate of climb: 860ft./min Wing loading: Thrust/weight: 81hp per ton |
Armament: None carried
History: The DH89 Dragon Rapide was designed in 1933 as a faster, more passenger-friendly development of the de Havilland DH84 Dragon. Effectively it was a scaled-down version of the four-engined DH86 Express. But where the DH86 exhibited several vices, the Rapide proved to be a delight to fly. The comfortable cabin and gentle flying characteristics made it popular with passengers; as a result the Rapide became the mainstay of British commercial air travel throughout the 30s. Early Rapides could be tricky to land as aileron authority was lost at low speeds. A wingtip re-design improved matters, though the aircraft still needs a practised hand to put her down smoothly. The new version was identified by a nose-mounted landing light was designated DH89a. It's strange to reflect that the Rapide flew only a year before the far more advanced DC-3 Dakota. To understand this we need to consider the different requirements of civil flight in the UK and US. On an island only 600 miles long, the principal requirements were economy, comfort and simple operation. In America, with its vast inter-city distances, the need was for long range and in-flight facilities like toilets and bunk beds. At the start of the Second world War the Air Ministry placed orders for Rapides for military service. Engine power was upgraded to create the DH89a Dominie. Air Atlantique Classic Flight currently operates three Rapides/Dominies, two of which are certified for public transport. As a result it's possible to experience air travel as it felt between the wars. Tango Mike is finished in a sleek blue and silver civil livery, while Delta Lima is marked up as an RAF Dominie. Romeo Papa is currently undergoing extensive restoration. It's an interesting variant, being equipped with variable-pitch propellors.
