DH.89 Rapide for sale in the US.

As much as I enjoyed seeing it in Dayton, IIRC, it was hanging above the gallery floor and certainly overshadowed by more famous/popular/historic/relevant types (in all my countless visits there, I never saw an excited youngster grab his father’s sleeve and say.. “Look, a Dh-89!).

Since it is a fairly practical type to operate, its better use is probably flying, giving people the wonderful and rare experience of flying in multi engine biplane.

With at least two under restoration the U.S., I wouldn’t be terribly put out if it was exported.

The Historic Flight Foundation’s example is being repaired (in Canada, I believe), following its 2018 accident in Abbotsford. More importantly, its pilot, John Sessions, is back flying. Once airworthy, it will be available for rides.

And the Military Aviation Museum, Jerry Yeagan’s collection in Virginia, has one. Wiki says it’s under restoration.

The FAA registration database says there are two others in the U.S., one in a collection/museum in Missouri, the other is in Texas and part of the collection which includes the airworthy Mosquito (I wonder if it makes a good transition trainer for the Mosquito?).

Also, a Dh 84 is listed.

Seems NR695 spent very little of its life in the UK. Taken on charge at 76 M.U in September 1944 and leaving for India in October the same year. Registered VT-ASQ with India National Airways  and then went on to serve with the Air Survey Company of India before going into storage. She was shipped to the USA in 1978.

Was going to say its sad to see it sitting in a puddle but seeing the shape roughly matches the aircraft i guess they cleaned it up before photographing.

The NMUSAF website suggests  that the museum was looking to exchange its Dominie, rather than simply to dispose of it. It also suggests that either it has found a suitable exchange or has withdrawn the Dominie from its exchange programme as the relevant entry is now annotated: ‘This aircraft was offered for exchange as part of NMUSAF Solicitation 19-003 (Closed)’ – unless, of course, the website is not up to date and, having failed to find a suitable exchange, the Dominie is now being offered for unconditional disposal.

Odd that the NMUSAF is getting rid of any airplane, but perhaps it doesn’t have a strong enough US tie-in. Still, a very cool-looking airplane, one I hope makes it back across the pond to a good home.

Hope she finds a good home and takes to the air again in the future.