Prototypes worth modelling-The De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide

**wonwinglo** · 31-12-2005

DE HAVILLAND DRAGON RAPIDE.

G-ALPK Rapide,broken up April 1966,ex NF886.

Designed in the light of experience gained with the De Havilland DH.84 and DH.86 transports the prototype DH.89 Dragon Six was flown at Stag Lane on 17th April 1934 piloted by Hubert Broad.
Production aircrft were named the Dragon Rapide and the first aircraft were delivered to Hillman airways ltd,Railway Air Service ltd and Olley Air service ltd in 1937.After the fitting of small trailing edge flaps the aircraft was re-designated the DH.89a,the aircraft was so popular and reliable that it saw service throughout the world some even being fitted with floats ( dorsal fin fitted ) and skies for use in Canada,by the outbreak of war nearly 200 had been delivered to civil operators.
The Royal Air Force used the aircraft called the Dominie for communications and as an air taxi by the Air Transport Auxiliary,some were also pressed into service as wireless trainers sporting a large direction finding loop in the cabin roof.
By July 1946 some 728 Rapides were built of which 521 were to British military contracts,due to pressure of work at De Havillands the production was transferred to the Brush Coachworks company at Loughborough,Leicestershire.Further machines were used by the Royal Navy,and both the Belgium and Dutch air forces.Many new airlines set up using the Rapide as its first aircraft,British European airways using them on inter island services around the UK coastline.
The aircraft has become a true classic and two aircraft are operated by the Air Atlantique Classic Flight,Coventry giving pleasure flights up and down the country.
Spec here applies to the DH.89A Mk.4.
Eight seater light transport.
Powerplant: Two 200 hp Gipsy Queen 2 inline engines.
Max Speed: 150 mph.
Cruising speed: 140 mph.
Service ceiling: 16,000 feet.
Range: 520 miles.
Empty weight: 3,230 lbs.
Max take off weight: 6,000 lbs.
Wingspan: 48 feet.
Length: 34 feet 6 inches.
Height: 10 feet 3 inches.
Wing area: 336.0 square feet.

Nigel.D · 31-12-2005

any one get a chance go to Duxford and have a flight in one of these beauties the sensation is incredible

**wonwinglo** · 01-01-2006

Avro Ashton

Avro Ashton Mk.1 shown in the photograph above.

Following the trials of the Avro Tudor 8, with a tailwheel landing gear and four Rolls Royce Nene Turbojets in paired engine nacelles,Avro decided to build a tricycle undercarriage version but this did not happen,instead jet research aircraft were required and the Ministry of Supply ordered six examples of the Avro Ashton,these were basically shortened Tudor airframes with thicker metal skinning,all of these aircraft had detail differences and were used for a wide variety of tasks.The first and only Ashton Mk.1 flew in September 1950 and was used at Boscombe Down for high altitude research,the second aircraft the Mk.2 flew in August 1951,this was passed to the National Gas Turbine Establishment as a universal engine test bed and flew with great success fitted with the Rolls Royce Avon,Rolls Royce Conway and the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire.
The third aircraft of which three Ashton Mk.3 were built,the first flying during 1951 was used by the Radar Research establishment for research into radar bombing,the fourth was used by the Royal Aircraft Establishment later going to Bristol for Bristol Olympus and Orpheus engine testing.
Number five the one and only Ashton 4 was flown in November 1952 was used by the RAE for visual bombing research,and later on de-icing trials on the Sapphire engine.
The final Ashton was another Mk.3 flown in April 1952 for bomb ballistic research with the RAE Orfordness,followed by intake icing tests.
Powerplant:Four 5,000 lb Rolls Royce Nene turbojets.
Max speed: 439 mph.
Cruising speed: 406 mph.
Max take off weight: 72,000 lbs.
Wingspan: 120 feet.
Length: 89 feet 6 inches.
Height: 31 feet 3 inches.
Wing area: 1,421 square feet.

Nigel.D · 01-01-2006

Barry! Were they scrapped or are any still around ??? it would be nice to know when you do these peices if any of the airframes still exist cheers!!

**wonwinglo** · 01-01-2006

*** Nigel there are about half a dozen still flying in the UK,plus about eight worldwide still flying,plenty still in museums,I had my very first flight in one in 1959 as a birthday present,you never forget your very first flight,especially in a Rapide,a gentlemans carriage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel.D

Barry! Were they scrapped or are any still around ??? it would be nice to know when you do these peices if any of the airframes still exist cheers!!