DH. 89 Dragon Rapide Debut - Historic Flight Foundation

The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a 1930s short-haul biplane airliner developed and produced by British aircraft company de Havilland. Capable of accommodating 6-8 passengers, it proved an economical and durable craft, despite its relatively primitive plywood construction.
Developed during the early 1930s, the Dragon Rapide was essentially a smaller, twin-engined version of the four-engined DH.86 Express, and shared a number of common features, such as its tapered wings, streamlined fairings and Gipsy Six engines. First named the "Dragon Six", the type was marketed as "Dragon Rapide" and later simply known as the "Rapide". Upon its introduction in summer 1934, it proved to be a popular aircraft with airlines and private civil operators alike, attaining considerable foreign sales in addition to its domestic use.
Upon the outbreak of the World War II, many of the civil Rapides were impressed into service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy. Referred to in military service by the name de Havilland Dominie, the type was employed for radio and navigation training, passenger transport and communications missions; hundreds of additional Dominies were also constructed during the war. Other Rapides continued to be operated by British airlines throughout the war under the auspices of the Associated Airways Joint Committee (AAJC). Postwar, many military aircraft were returned to civilian service. Shortly after the end of the Second World War, de Havilland introduced a Dragon Rapide replacement, the de Havilland Dove.

[@robinfautley8698]

I flew in New Zealand the DH89B Dominie ZK-BCP of Brian Chadwick in 1962. Just 3 weeks later he disappeared with 4 passengers on the same flight plan in his other aircraft the DH90 dragonfly ZK-AFB. My parents filmed our flight and I have posted that on KZbin. Rare flight with Brian Chadwick. It is the only film of Chadwick and we showed it to Chadwicks parents on our return to the UK 6 months later. Coincidence, they lived in the next town to us! ZK-BCP was a marvellous aircraft and I understand it has been fully restored and back in NZ

[@beegee22]

One of the most beautiful aircraft of all time.

[@q.e.d.9112]

Hear those rigging wires whistle.

[@terryholloway1914]

I made 4 parachute jumps from this type of aircraft, had to climb out onto lower wing while holding onto spar and wait until the jump master hit you in ribs before sliding feet off and then gravity done the rest. 50 years ago but still get a thrill when seeing this aircraft and reliving the jumps.

[@freeman8128]

I have never understood why anyone would want to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane.

[@benhudman7911]

What a beautiful airplane!

[@yank-tc8bz]

Add to bucket list.

[@myperspective5091]

That always was a good looking airplane.👍🙂👍

[@bobdyer422]

What makes me smile about this plane is that it looks so proud of itself sitting there ready for flight. Rudder and cowlings remind of a Tiger moth.

[@anair70]

Similar upside down engine's with crankshaft on top

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

Both were from the same manufacturer.

[@davidelliott5843]

@@anair70 They are dry sump engines so pistons can be anywhere.

[@timmayer8723]

I believe those are straight 6 cylinder engines inverted.

[@stewartdouglass2774]

My first ever flight was in a Rapide at Duxford. Certainly a memorable experience.

[@normanbott]

Me too, but at RAF Cosford. Got the seat on the starboard side so I could see into the cockpit. Grass field takeoff / landing - marvellous!

[@albertogarciaarango2411]

The BEAUTY TWIN, dragon Rapide, one of the mos comercial and military transport.THANKS

[@kennethstill5945]

Reminds me of my youth in the Hebrides in the early fifties when we relied on the B E A Rapides from Glasgow K. A S

[@ritchienegrea5779]

Beautiful plane. Nice engine

[@northlandrider5396]

I was waiting for Tintin and Snowy to board . . .😉

[@ler3968]

I love the old plywood craft as long as the owners always do the 1000 hour termite inspections...

[@michelledauvergne6830]

A very beautiful aircraft.

[@EdwardThomas-mn5vd]

Mosquito, s granddad!!what a beauty!!!

[@davidelliott5843]

With carbon fibre struts and main spars, the biplane should make a comeback. Two short wings would give the same lift and drag slimline struts would be negligible drag.

[@JohnJones-ct9pr]

Yes !!!!!. If I had tons of cash I would make that happen.

[@mothmagic1]

The problem is that it wouldn't be the same drag it would be something like 50% greater and the closeness of the upper wing interferes with the lift of the lower one. Those colours look like a forerunner of the BEA colours.

[@Sanechek1970]

She is like a dragonfly))

[@paulmiley7799]

Wow! What a beauty! Any idea of how many of these are still flying in the UK. And where can you go to see them flying please?

[@mk-of6px]

look mummy, up in the sky

[@legalmexican]

I don't see any flaps.

[@jeffbridges666]

That sound is odd, doesn't sound the same as others I've heard

[@harrothepilot]

Is it the whistling/vibrating of the wires you are hearing?? On the tarmac the engines sound like normal 200HP 6 cylinder Gypsy Queens at idle. Cheers.

[@jeffbridges666]

@@harrothepilot I really don't know what it was but I've heard quite a few in my time and that's sounding quite different.

[@harrothepilot]

@@jeffbridges666 I understand. I have heard one that nearly sounded like it had gear drives, even though they are direct drives. Who knows? The same engine in DeHavilland Devons, even though uprated , sounds very different to the Rapide.

[@alexandermathar7780]

Mmm. Railway Air Service. Did it serve as a railway replacement ?

[@gretchenchadwick8343]

My son is special needs and he really likes classic airplanes ✈🛩🛫🛬 like that one he says they don't make them like that anymore but wishes they would with no microprocessors in them just pure mechanics.

[@hackneysaregreat]

Beautiful! It really has its very own sound...

[@ryanmoeller3308]

Such a cool aircraft! I was reading the description and my good friend who owns a TBM Avenger also owns a De Havilland Dove!! I hope it won't be to long before we get both aircraft back in the air where they belong. :-)

[@dryan8377]

Wow. Thru the run up to taxi, I hear a choir singing in the background along with a 1khz tone.

[@kyleno4mk27]

I completely missed this at Skyfair. What time did it fly?

[@caleanderson22_71]

Saw it Thursday and Saturday in Abbotsford, it's a shame to see it crash

[@fight2flyphoto]

I know, right?! Glad it didn't claim any lives.

[@Agislife1960]

What happened to it?

[@coolleo149]

Dang, I didn’t know the DH 89 could make a low whistle sound

[@ekweseman]

Is the HFF's aircraft configured to carry passengers?

[@fight2flyphoto]

Erik Weseman Oh yes! All new interior. I believe rides are $350.

[@Agislife1960]

Every video Ive seen of a Dragon Rapide shows only one center seat in the cockpit, I wonder if they ever made any models with the conventional side by side cockpit seating.

[@royfearn4345]

No, that's the way they were.

[@mikegmdw1]

Yes they did

[@robinfautley8698]

Please share the details of the side by side cockpit arrangements! Is that aircraft still about?