The story regarding the ‘re-creation’ of a DH86 is/was not quite as simple as the myths have told, and believe me, I know, because I was an integral part of it all.

It started when I compiled the history of the DH86 back in the mid-1980s. I came across two references to surviving airframes – or pieces thereof, one being the last mortal remains of VH-USG. The other was a centre-section that last I heard was in England, but that owner requested confidentiality, and I respect that still. I was also led to believe that there was also at least one set of undercarriage units that survived.

I was then contacted by Sir Adrian Swire whom I knew through his Rapide – Sir Adrian had heard that there was ‘another’ DH86 in Australia and asked if he could see my research – which I gladly passed over. There was assorted correspondence flying around… Sir Adrian got some folks from Cathay Pacific to check out the possibility of another survivor down under… Captain Mike Russell of Russavia got in on things, and between us all we spoke with Gary Bishopp of BAe Product Support and discovered that they had a set of manufacturing drawings for the DH86B on microfilm.

This was before the days of product liability and all the problems that arose from that – it was easy back then to do order drawings to make items as long as you were recognised as being a responsible operator – which certainly Mike and Sir Adrian were – it is impossible now. The result was that Sir Adrian acquired a set of drawings. As far as I am aware, the plan was for Sir Adrian via the Swire Group of companies – and therefore Cathay Pacific – to contract Viv Bellamy to produce a ‘late production’ DH86B and to use either four Queen 3s ‘a la Rapide’ or more likely use four Queen 30s with V-P props. I seem to remember that there were also plans to put it on Russavia’s AoC so that pleasure flying could be done!

Once the aircraft was finished, it would enable a ‘flypast’ to be made at Old Warden of a DH82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90!

I already had my seat booked, but with Viv Bellamy passing and Sir Adrian getting caught up in the all problems of handing Hong Kong back to the Chinese in the mid-1990s the project faded away.

I think the drawings still survive somewhere – but before anyone from Duxford asks, no I do NOT have them!

Great shame, as this aircraft really would be appreciated more in this country than in the States and I hope someone manages to bring it back.

Errr….. Why SHOULD Mike sell it, especially to Briain Woodford – I mean, look what happened to that collection! Mike owned/operated this Dragon and at least one Rapide – He enjoys and appreciates what he’s got – last I knew he flew them regularly and paid good money to purchase them and pays good money to keep them in tip-top condition – he has every right to own and enjoy them!

Incidentally, it was me that got the USAF Museum their Rapide – which Mike Kimbrell was involved in, and I hear Maurice Rolfe’s Rapide down in Oz is about to take to the skies again after a 20 year re-build – when no-one in the UK was interested in it!!

I really dont care WHERE they are kept, as long as they are enjoyed and used!!

Actually…. I think the ads are good – and it’s nice to see the crest make a comeback – that always did look good on the pale grey.

Now this is just getting silly!!!

I can assure everyone that despite having been SWORN to secrecy not to reveal anything about it, I will whisper that it’s going to be the entire Flight 19 along with the Mariner flying boat. This new exhibition is to be opened by Dan Cooper. The guest speaker will be first man in the world to fly in a mechanically powered aircraft, Richard Pearse!

Looks to me like a Bell subcontract part from one of the Douglas built aircraft. I’ll check through my listings in the morning.

Hmmm…just like Don Bullock’s displays…

I was just thinking the same!!!

Especially with the touch of two stopped on one side during the low pass!

I did not think they had the outer panels – or at least, last time I saw it I never saw them.