I have been a great admirer of men and machines of Britain’s glorious past and I have, since the age of about 10, admired the DH Dragon Rapide. Such an elegant aircraft with those thin, almost elliptical wings and trade mark tail fin. It fitted in beautifully with the Art Deco thirties and having a remarkable safety record. (My wife Jacky was not impressed when I mentioned this exemplary safety record replying that perhaps we were now jinxed and we were about to end that mark’s illustrious record!)
A BIT ABOUT THE RAPIDE:
The de Havilland 89 Dragon Rapide (1934) was a simple, rugged and cheap twin engined airliner which helped to introduce air travel to several remote areas. Some were used as personal runabouts or executive aircraft for official duties. Aircraft serving with the R.A.F. were known as “Dominies” (a name often applied to the civil version also). They proved ideal for navigation and wireless training. Deliveries to the R.A.F. started in September 1939 and total production reached 521 (including some for the Fleet Air Arm).
DIMENSIONS:
Length: 34.5 ft. (10.5 m.)
Wingspan: 48 ft. (14.6 m.)
Weight empty: 3,230 lb. (1,464 kg.)
PASSENGERS/CARGO:
2 crew; 8 passengers
CRUISING SPEED:
132 m.p.h (212 k.p.h..)
CEILING:
19,500 ft. (5,940 m.) fully loaded
RANGE:
580 miles (930 km.)
ENGINES:
2 x 200 h.p. D.H. Gipsy Six, or Gipsy Queen
On the 18th of June 2006 we went to Wellesbourne Wings and Wheels in our Maxi where we met up with other classic vehicle owners to enjoy various things but most of all the high speed taxi run of the airfield’s Vulcan bomber.
THE TRIP:
In order to get a discount from the single fare of £55 my Dad paid for himself, Sarah and Matthew, my wife Jacky and me on his credit card. The twenty minute trip cost us each £42 and we couldn’t wait. Sarah kept asking how long till we flew. On the appointed time in the afternoon we made our way to the barrier by the DH (Not exactly Birmingham International but much nicer!)
Climbing up three aluminium steps placed by the door (port side aft) one is immediately impressed by how small the purveyance is. Bending down into an half stoop we clamber up a sloping deck between the row of eight seats towards the cock pit. The passageway only about a foot wide. The seats were small but not uncomfortable. We were near the front and quite close to the pilot who could be seen in his glass house of a cock pit. He looked remarkably like Tom Cruise! The cabin had aluminium air vents above and to the side of the seats which were directional (kind of ball and socket). Out of the window were the beautiful wings with struts and wires and the twin engines.
The pilot turned in his seat and asked if anyone could fly. None of us could so he smiled and said this was good because we wouldn’t notice any mistakes! He started the engines one by one. He tried the starboard side but failed so he tried the larboard one instead. When this fired up nicely he tried the starboard again and that burst into life too. The noise in the cabin was loud but not uncomfortable. We taxied out after the DH Dove which had a forced landing moments after take off with engine failure. It restarted the engines and took off again. It was immediately noticed that a very large humble bee was trapped in the cock pit and I was disturbed to see the pilot flailing his hands around his head but the bee refused to leave via the open window. It was eventually dispatched under foot. Shame but it had to be done.
Just imagine if the bee had got out 40 miles away and eventually made it back home. “I’ve been abducted by aliens!” “Go on with you! Pull the other five!”
We had a great flight over Stratford upon Avon, over my works at Bordon Hill and Warwick Castle. Mattie couldn’t wait to get out of his safety belt and once on the seat gazed down on England’s green and pleasant land in open mouthed rapture.
Take a look at the SLIDE SHOW
Our Trip in a Dragon Rapide
