It has now been almost nine decades since the de Havilland DH. 89 'Dragon Rapide' performed its first flight, with this feat having taken place on April 17th, 1934. In the 90 years that have followed this maiden voyage, the type has become a legend in aviation history. The biplane could fly between six and eight passengers, and it was valued for its endurance, reliability, and efficiency for its time.

Another de Havilland masterpiece

The de Havilland Express first flew on January 14th, 1934. While only 62 units of this speed demon were produced, the Dragon Rapide, a twin-engine scaled-down version, was far more popular. Separately, we have already covered the international success of the DH.84 Dragon. However, the Rapide was faster, reaching a cruise speed of 132 mph (212 km/h) and covering a range of 556 mi (483 NM).

Love aviation history? Discover more of our stories here!

The all-wooden plane conducted its maiden flight at Hatfield Aerodrome in Hertfordshire, England. It then entered service with Hillman's Airways, with G-ACPM taking off from the same location three months later, on July 13th, 1934. The aircraft was first named the Dragon Six before becoming the Dragon Rapide. More familiarly known as simply Rapide, the type saw action with both civil and military operators.

As pictured above, the aircraft was rather compact, hence its relatively low passenger capacity. According to data made available by the de Havilland Aircraft Museum, it had a wingspan of just 14.6 meters (48 feet), and its all-up weight came to just 2,495 kilograms (5,550 pounds). In terms of its performance, alongside the aforementioned speed and range figures, it cruised at an altitude of 16,700 feet.

Versatile equipment

Despite initially being designed as a commercial airliner, the onset of the Second World War saw the de Havilland Dragon Rapide become a more versatile aircraft. Seeing plenty of action in the lengthy conflict, one of the early major tasks that the Dragon Rapide undertook was during the Battle of France when, between May and June 1940, the plane served as an aerial courier across the English Channel.

Appreciated by the RAF and the Royal Navy, the aircraft was called the de Havilland Dominie when serving with the United Kingdom's military. According to BAE Systems, the type was used for navigational training, communication, air ambulance, and transport purposes during the conflict. Captain Donald L Van Dyke, FRAes, shares the following about the Rapide in Fortune Favours The Bold:

“Early DH.89s had a maximum allowable weight of 5000 lbs. The 59th production aircraft had thickened wing tips and was cleared to 5500 lbs. It also featured cabin heating and a nose-mounted landing light. Aircraft produced afterward were similarly equipped. A modified, armed DH.89 was offered to the RAF for use by Coastal Command. This single prototype, designated DH.89M, was passed over by the RAF in favour of the Avro Anson, but three were ordered by the Spanish Government in 1935, for police duties in Morocco and a further two were built for the Lithuanian Government in 1936.”

Adapting to the market

Van Dyke adds that in 1937, starting with the 93rd production unit, small trailing-edge flaps were fitted to the lower wing. This move gave way to the designation DH.89A, and numerous earlier examples of the DH.89 were updated to this standard amid the revamp. There were also several other introductions over the years, with advancements including the Gipsy Queen piston engine becoming a core feature.

The De Havilland Dragon Rapide's popularity stretched far beyond the borders of the United Kingdom in terms of both military and civilian usage, and examples of the type could be found on all of the inhabited continents. They were spotted with different adaptations, including floats or skis, in the likes of China, New Zealand, Canada, and South America. In the UK, it even provided royal transportation.

In total, BAE Systems notes that 728 units of the type were produced between 1934 and 1946. Of these, just over half (380) were made in Hatfield, alongside 340 by Brush Coachworks in Loughborough and two in Witney. Interestingly, this latter pair were built from spares. Unfortunately, the aircraft's deployment ultimately took a significant decline in the 1960s due to the rise of modern jet solutions.

The type is well represented in the preservation era

According to data made available by the Aviation Safety Network, the de Havilland Dragon Rapide was involved in 343 incidents over the years, resulting collectively in 221 fatalities. While these are high numbers, its deployment during the Second World War will have been a key factor in the matter. Nonetheless, a good number of examples have survived and live on today in the abundant preservation era.

As seen in the video embedded above, one of the most notable uses of the type in the modern day is for scenic pleasure flights out of the Imperial War Museum at Duxford Aerodrome in Cambridgeshire, England. According to Classic Wings, passengers can pay as little as £99 ($127) for a ride on the classic airliner, with flights over Cambridge, Ely, and even London lasting between 20 and 70 minutes.

What are your thoughts about the de Havilland Dragon Rapide? What do you make of the aircraft's history over the years? Let us know what you think of the plane and its operations in the comment section.