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Post by wardmanstuart on Mar 23, 2023 11:19:48 GMT 1
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Post by wardmanstuart on Mar 23, 2023 11:26:24 GMT 1
A question to the older spotters like myself what was the difference between the Dragon and the Dragon Rapide
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Post by viscount on Mar 23, 2023 23:07:44 GMT 1
The DH.84 (amended) Dragon is slightly larger than the DH.89 Dragon Rapide. Forward fuselage shape/cockpit glazing is different, as is the shape and number of cabin windows.
The major 'at a glance' identification feature is that the Dragon Rapide has tapered wings (upper and lower) to a rounded wingtip, the Dragon has straight wings (upper and lower) to a squared wing-tip.
The main wheels on the Dragon Rapide are encased in a streamlined fairing extending down from the engine cowling to the wheel hub, whilst on the Dragon the cowling runs back from the engine, with the short undercarriage leg and a brace between the two legs exposed.
A while since I've seen either type, so a fair question.
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Post by Graham Williams on Mar 25, 2023 11:34:55 GMT 1
A quick point,the Dragon is a DH84 not a DH 80 which is a Puss Moth.
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Post by viscount on Mar 26, 2023 2:34:53 GMT 1
Thanks for pointing that out. Sorry, now amended.
Using mobile phone, not my usual PC keyboard, while on holiday. Now home despite a delayed flight - don't usually look in at 03:35 local.
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jack
Full Member
Posts: 116
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Post by jack on Oct 8, 2023 16:21:23 GMT 1
hi,
ah what a beauty G-ADDI, my first trip aloft, 25mins(i think) round the Tower back in 1954ish... and Squires Gate was my first airfield/airport i visited and then the spotting bug grabbed me.
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Post by planemike on Oct 9, 2023 13:09:46 GMT 1
The DH.84 (amended) Dragon is slightly larger than the DH.89 Dragon Rapide. Forward fuselage shape/cockpit glazing is different, as is the shape and number of cabin windows. The major 'at a glance' identification feature is that the Dragon Rapide has tapered wings (upper and lower) to a rounded wingtip, the Dragon has straight wings (upper and lower) to a squared wing-tip. The main wheels on the Dragon Rapide are encased in a streamlined fairing extending down from the engine cowling to the wheel hub, whilst on the Dragon the cowling runs back from the engine, with the short undercarriage leg and a brace between the two legs exposed. A while since I've seen either type, so a fair question. Wonder if I may, belatedly, add a little to the differences between the deH 84 Dragon & deH 89A Dragon Rapide? The Dragon Rapide (originally Dragon Six) was a development/improved version of the Dragon. In fact there was only some 18 months difference between them: deH 84 f/f Nov. 1932, deH 89 f/f Apr. 1934. Development happened rapidly back then !! The Dragon was powered by two four cylinder Gipsy 1s (130 HP). The Rapide was initially powered by two six cylinder Gipsy Sixs (200HP), hence the Dragon Six moniker. Other versions of the Gipsy Six were used later. The additional power raised the cruising speed by some 25 mph and the AUW rose from 4200 lbs to 5000 lbs. This increased passenger carrying capacity from six to seven/eight, depended on seating/cabin layout |
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G-ADDI Dragon taken at BLK July 1970 by Stuart Wardman, on Flickr
