The Marriott/Crowne Plaza Hotel Dragon Rapide Replica
Jul 27, 2021 10:38:02 GMT 1
philglt likes this
Post by viscount on Jul 27, 2021 10:38:02 GMT 1
While examining some old threads to find those needing the images to be replaced, found that the thread under this title has actually been a dead link since summer 2016.
Some years ago I compiled a photo article for FoLAs '09/27' relating the colour schemes worn by the de Havilland Dragon Rapide replica that for a number of years stood outside both the Marriott and Crowne Plaza Hotels that are within the former 1939-1986 Liverpool Airport Terminal building. The text here is derived from that article (printed early 2012) which fortunately was still in my PC. However I don't have the images that Dave Graham used showing her during the build process in No.2 hangar.
The replica or perhaps more correctly (due to the non-original materials used in the construction) a full-scale model DH.89 Dragon Rapide was built by members of NAHM at Hooton Park during the summer of 2001 under the leadership of Mike Davey. Assembly and painting took place in the empty Hangar 2 before being placed directly in front of the new Marriott ‘The Aerodrome’ Hotel – the former 1939-1986 ‘art deco’ style airport terminal building at Liverpool.
The original G-AEAJ served with Railway Air Services, named ‘Star of Lancashire’ between 3/36 and 9/37 and was used on the Liverpool to Isle of Man route, before transfer to Isle of Man Air Services who continued to use it on the IoM route until 1/40. The name ‘Neptune’ (which was actually worn by a RAS DH.86 Express G-AEFH) reflects the developers that converted the former airport terminal into the Marriott hotel – Neptune Developments. The Marriott Hotel opened to the public on 15th May 2001 and comprised of the original 1938/39 terminal and tower, with two additional wings added sympathetically in curved 'art deco' style. Colour scheme principally silver dope with red and green cheat lines, black registration and name.
Due to weather staining, during Spring 2005 the scheme was changed to represent G-ANZP, an aircraft flown at Liverpool 3.55 to the early 60s by Federated Air Transport. Fuselage green, with cream cheat line and registration, wings and tail silver. The name ‘Neptune’ was retained, the original Federated Fruit aircraft was unnamed.
Following storm damage and vandalism, in summer 2008 after repairs, a further repaint, this time to represent an aircraft, G-AJCL, flown by Cambrian Airways 5/49 until 5/59, named ‘Flint’. Cambrian's colours worn by G-AJCL were maroon overall, with cream cheat line and registration. The only practical way of covering the Federated Fruit green was to choose an aircraft with a Liverpool connection that had even darker colours! On 1st August 2008 the hotel had changed hands, becoming a Crowne Plaza. She was removed her position outside the Crowne Plaza sometime winter 2013/2014.
G-AJCL strung with lights, December 2012(?)
January 2013, snowfall may look picturesque but it did the Dragon Rapide no good at all.
However wind, sun, rain, frost and snow brought about a general deterioration, coupled with vandalism and neglect. What was a great 'themed' backdrop for wedding photographs and visitor's 'snaps' became an embarrassment. While the Speke Airport Historical Group, busy around the other side of the terminal restoring their Prince and HS.748 looked ready to take on the needed refurbishment, that did not happen due to neither the hotel or Neptune Developments wishing to cover the cost of the undertaking. Eventually she was wheeled around on the apron at the back of the terminal and the wings removed for safety and she lay sadly abandoned for some years partly hidden behind a storage container. The upper 3 photos are April 2014, the bottom one is dated July 2014. She hung around dismantled for a considerable amount of time until she was eventually destroyed and removed, early December 2019.
While out the front of the hotel she became quite a landmark, now fondly missed.
Having searched for an older thread on the topic and found one of the construction phase in Hangar 2 completely devoid of Dave Grahams photos, I have deleted it as a worthless distraction. Continued to search for another thread covering the Marriott/Crowne Plaza Dragon Rapide without success. Have now found it (while looking for something else), find it is mostly the same images, only a lot less of them and less information.
derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/33610/hotel-dragon-rapide-replica?page=1&scrollTo=163660
Some years ago I compiled a photo article for FoLAs '09/27' relating the colour schemes worn by the de Havilland Dragon Rapide replica that for a number of years stood outside both the Marriott and Crowne Plaza Hotels that are within the former 1939-1986 Liverpool Airport Terminal building. The text here is derived from that article (printed early 2012) which fortunately was still in my PC. However I don't have the images that Dave Graham used showing her during the build process in No.2 hangar.
DH.89A DRAGON RAPIDE REPLICA BAPC.280
The replica or perhaps more correctly (due to the non-original materials used in the construction) a full-scale model DH.89 Dragon Rapide was built by members of NAHM at Hooton Park during the summer of 2001 under the leadership of Mike Davey. Assembly and painting took place in the empty Hangar 2 before being placed directly in front of the new Marriott ‘The Aerodrome’ Hotel – the former 1939-1986 ‘art deco’ style airport terminal building at Liverpool.
The original G-AEAJ served with Railway Air Services, named ‘Star of Lancashire’ between 3/36 and 9/37 and was used on the Liverpool to Isle of Man route, before transfer to Isle of Man Air Services who continued to use it on the IoM route until 1/40. The name ‘Neptune’ (which was actually worn by a RAS DH.86 Express G-AEFH) reflects the developers that converted the former airport terminal into the Marriott hotel – Neptune Developments. The Marriott Hotel opened to the public on 15th May 2001 and comprised of the original 1938/39 terminal and tower, with two additional wings added sympathetically in curved 'art deco' style. Colour scheme principally silver dope with red and green cheat lines, black registration and name.
Due to weather staining, during Spring 2005 the scheme was changed to represent G-ANZP, an aircraft flown at Liverpool 3.55 to the early 60s by Federated Air Transport. Fuselage green, with cream cheat line and registration, wings and tail silver. The name ‘Neptune’ was retained, the original Federated Fruit aircraft was unnamed.
Following storm damage and vandalism, in summer 2008 after repairs, a further repaint, this time to represent an aircraft, G-AJCL, flown by Cambrian Airways 5/49 until 5/59, named ‘Flint’. Cambrian's colours worn by G-AJCL were maroon overall, with cream cheat line and registration. The only practical way of covering the Federated Fruit green was to choose an aircraft with a Liverpool connection that had even darker colours! On 1st August 2008 the hotel had changed hands, becoming a Crowne Plaza. She was removed her position outside the Crowne Plaza sometime winter 2013/2014.
G-AJCL strung with lights, December 2012(?)
January 2013, snowfall may look picturesque but it did the Dragon Rapide no good at all.
However wind, sun, rain, frost and snow brought about a general deterioration, coupled with vandalism and neglect. What was a great 'themed' backdrop for wedding photographs and visitor's 'snaps' became an embarrassment. While the Speke Airport Historical Group, busy around the other side of the terminal restoring their Prince and HS.748 looked ready to take on the needed refurbishment, that did not happen due to neither the hotel or Neptune Developments wishing to cover the cost of the undertaking. Eventually she was wheeled around on the apron at the back of the terminal and the wings removed for safety and she lay sadly abandoned for some years partly hidden behind a storage container. The upper 3 photos are April 2014, the bottom one is dated July 2014. She hung around dismantled for a considerable amount of time until she was eventually destroyed and removed, early December 2019.
While out the front of the hotel she became quite a landmark, now fondly missed.
Having searched for an older thread on the topic and found one of the construction phase in Hangar 2 completely devoid of Dave Grahams photos, I have deleted it as a worthless distraction. Continued to search for another thread covering the Marriott/Crowne Plaza Dragon Rapide without success. Have now found it (while looking for something else), find it is mostly the same images, only a lot less of them and less information.
derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/33610/hotel-dragon-rapide-replica?page=1&scrollTo=163660