My de Havilland DH84 Dragon Ride

Dragon wing panels we had for a while before going on to the G-ACET project.

Dave

Dave, I still have the Oz wings and ADDI wings in the barn if you want to build one……. think 20 year.. I’m 17 year in on this one…..;)

Pm me and I will send you a photo.

See you at the Moth tea party…

Dragon wing panels we had for a while before going on to the G-ACET project.

Dave

Looking forward to see G-ACET finished.

Dave

Great news!;) Thank you.

Very pertinent indeed, David – thank you. And how good to know that another of these lovely aircraft is so treasured. I have a great fondness for these DH biplanes, probably because it’s what I first flew in. And with news of another restoration in Southern England things are looking encouraging, after the dreadful loss last year.

South of England Dragon G-ACET. Quick update. Wings / stub planes and tail group have all been painted with the registrations on. All bracket have been fitted to these parts. The fuse is having it radios etc fitted at this time, then it will go into the paint shop. Engines / cowlings / prop / struts / u/c all finished.

😉

“JOE-FBS,

I think you have confused the DH-89 Rapide with the straight DH-84 Dragon. Yes, there are quite a few DH-89 Rapides, but it seems there are very few DH-84 Dragons flying now. “

Ah, a bit subtle for me. Thanks everybody.

David,

The Bud Field Rapide suffered a partial engine siezure when it was getting airborne from Yolo County, we had just taken off ahead of it in the photo plane and were orbiting overhead for a photo session. The engine is now back with Mike Vaisey at Gransden. I’m not sure what the future holds for it. A huge amount of money was put into the rebuild by Bud, who sadly passed away shortly before it was completed. It is now administered by the trustees of his estate, so I suppose eventually it will either be sold off or placed in a museum.

The Creve Coeur example, in common with many aeroplanes in the collection there, was flown for a bit and then parked up. It hasn’t been operational for a few years now, and it is anyone’s guess when they might get it going again.

Good news that the Washington Dragon is still operational, maybe I’ll track it down one day if I’m out that way again.

I have to say I would like to see the Science Collection come to some form of arrangement where Dragon G-ACIT could be restored and flown from Old Warden.

Very pertinent indeed, David – thank you. And how good to know that another of these lovely aircraft is so treasured. I have a great fondness for these DH biplanes, probably because it’s what I first flew in. And with news of another restoration in Southern England things are looking encouraging, after the dreadful loss last year.

Charlie -you might find this pertinent : ‘My first flight was in DDI at Fairoaks around 1964. By a happy coincidence I ran into her at a fly-in at Evergreen, WA in 1980. I have the pleasure to have been friends with Mike Kimbrell ever since and fly into Kimbrell Farm from BC, Canada every few years to get reacquainted with the Dragon and to visit his family. The fuselage, now bearing G-ADDI again as permitted by FAA rules, is otherwise as it was when operated by Chrisair. The wings were recovered around 20 years ago. The grey leather seats are just as anyone who has flown in her would remember them.

I have to say there is no prouder or more knowledgable aeroplane owner than Mike. The Dragon is a working aeroplane, used to transport family and friends, often to aviation events. Mike is passionate about her care and history – that is why he only refinished the wings – and the thought that she could be more appreciated in the UK is simply not correct.

She was returned to airworthiness a few weeks ago and I hope to visit later this summer. She’s in good hands and I have no doubt Mike will make the best decision for her assured future at the appropriate time.

Robert

Which was posted in 2012 .

Mike – any update of what is wrong with N683DH and also what’s happening with N2290B with the modified cockpit windows?

I think there is another Rapide airworthy in the U.S -seem to recall one in the press a year or so ago.

If you’re talking about the late Bud Field’s example David, it hasn’t flown since I broke/cursed it (long story!) about 3 years ago now.

Neither add to the only three DH-84s, which appear to be the only examples currently flying.

I think there is another Rapide airworthy in the U.S -seem to recall one in the press a year or so ago.

I don’t think it has flown in a while David. The only currently flying DH twin biplane in North America that I know of is Yagen’s Rapide.

Is Dragon G-ADDI (N34DH) not airworthy any more in the U.S then?

Thanks, of course – I saw it somewhere last year – can’t recall where…

Do you know of more than three?

Nope, NZ, UK and Ireland. That’s about it.

G’day 😉

The only flying Dragon in Europe is the Irish one, isn’t it??

There is also G-ECAN currently flying, plus another example under restoration in southern England.

Do you know of more than three?

The number of Dragons flying seems to trickle up slowly .