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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last update January 2009