1937-1954
1937-1954
The Dragon Rapide is a development of the de Havilland Aircraft Company's DH
84 Dragon which was first flown from de Havilland's works on 24 November 1932.
Designs for a faster and more comfortable Dragon commenced in late l933. Designated
the DH 89 "Rapide" and piloted for the first time on the 17th of April
1934, the 9 seat aircraft was powered by two de Havilland Gipsy "Six"
engines of 200 hp, giving a maximum speed of approximately 160 mph, a cruising
speed of about 130 mph and a range of nearly 600 miles. From 1937, small flaps
were installed on the engine's body, these modified planes were named DH-89A.
The "Rapides" were sold all around the world to civilian's markets.
Some units were even equipped with skis or as float-planes for the Canadian
market.
Swissair used the Dragons for their Switzerland-Austria Operations between 1937 till 1954.
More about Swissair's DH.98 here.
Manufacturer |
De Havilland Aircraft Co, Hatfield (GB) |
| Span |
14.63 m |
Length |
10.52 m |
Height |
3.12 m, 4.20 m with antenna |
Power
(HP) |
2 x 200 |
Cruising
Speed |
220 km/h |
Passengers |
5 |
Range |
850 km |
Area
of Operation |
Switzerland & Austria |
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| HB-APA |
De Havilland D.H.89 Dragon Rapide # 6250 |
20.03.1937 24.06.1954 |
delivered to Aero St. Gallen (Ostschweizerische Aero-Gesellschaft) as HB-ARA, and later taken over by Swissair and re-registered HB-APA. In 1954 sold to Farnerwerke Grenchen.Was the Prototype of the DH89. |
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| HB-APE |
De Havilland D.H.89A Dragon Rapide # 6437 |
19.04.1948 24.06.1954 |
Delivered in March 1939 to swiss airline ALPAR as HB-AME, then taken over by Swissair in 1947 and re-registered as HB-APE. Later became D-IGUN and was then painted up & preserved as G-RCYR. |
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HB-APU |
De Havilland D.H.89A Dragon Rapide # 6438 |
14.05.1948 24.06.1954 |
Delivered in March 1939 to swiss airline ALPAR as HB-AMU, then taken over by Swissair in 1947 and re-registered as HB-APU.Sold to Farnerwerke Grenchen. |
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non Swissair |
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| ZK-SWR |
De Havilland D.H.89A Dragon Rapide # ? |
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A still flying Dragon Rapide in Swissair Colors. More detailed Infos on this wonderful Bird will follow soon. |
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last update January 2009
