De Havilland Dragon Rapide

[timskipper]

My dear wife has booked me a pleasure flight on the above aircraft, through http://www.classic-wings.co.uk

What do the experts know? (hi Eric!)

[perdu]

if you decide not to go, gizza shout and I'll take your camera for you

expect the delicious scent of leather and old aeroplane

the lovely "blatting" noise of a pair of DH Gypsy majors

and a great intimate flight experience

(I havent flown in a Rapide but developed my love for flying in a younger sibling of the Rapide, the DH Chipmunk)

And ISTR that Rapides have a wonderful safety record too

can you tell I'm jealous

[Cookie172]

I flew in one last year at Duxford, was brilliant

[knight]

One flew over my way a few weeks ago, totally unexpected and sounded lovely

[Eric Mc]

timskipper said:

My dear wife has booked me a pleasure flight on the above aircraft, through http://www.classic-wings.co.uk

What do the experts know? (hi Eric!)

One of the things on my "to do" list. A lovely old aerial carriage - think of a "Morgan of the Air".

They were designed in the 1930s as small "feeder liners" serving the various short haul operators in the British Isles and the Empire. During WW2, thousands more were built as navigational trainers - which is why there are a reasonable number around today.

I'm sure you'll love it.

[Geneve]

Lovely old aircraft - there's a couple at Rendcomb.

Pilots need to be fit though, it's a very steep up hill climb from the rear door to the cockpit

[timskipper]

Cool. I am really looking forward to this! My wife knows anything aircraft related is a winner with me but sounds like she picked a(nother) good one here.

[TubbyRutter]

Went in one years ago, i remember the pilot saying something like he has to be careful when landing or it'll go arse over tit and we'd all die, filled me with confidence that did...

[dr_gn]

TubbyRutter said:

Went in one years ago, i remember the pilot saying something like he has to be careful when landing or it'll go arse over tit and we'd all die, filled me with confidence that did...

The pilot got his harness looped around the control column somehow and it caused a fatal crash IIRC.

[timskipper]

They're letting me take my 9 month old Son on as well for a extra tenner.

[Eric Mc]

Probably need the ballast

[Invisible man]

I flew in one with my son, definitely a step back in time and the thing is so undramatic and slow you feel very safe....even when watching the ground slip slowly by through the gap in the doors. The engines sound barely above tick over and it sounds, and feels, like an old Routemaster once sideslipping gently across the countryside

[timskipper]

Well our flight was yesterday and we had a perfect sunny day for it. Really really great experience in a lovely old aircraft.

My 9 month old Son loved it, but fell asleep with the warmth and vibration about 5 mins before we landed!

Some pics here on my Facebook account:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=106294&i...

Tim

[knight]

Glad it went well, a truely glorious day yesterday so you did well picking that one

[perdu]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip

dammit I was hoping you'd send me instead

[rovermorris999]

I had a flight in a Dragon Rapide sometime in the sixties from Biggin Hill. The pilot stank of Scotch and stayed up far longer than he should have. Good job I was only a nipper or I would have been worried!

[Eric Mc]

Lucky old you.

[timskipper]

Also I should say it was the smoothest landing I've ever experienced in any type. Just the faint chirp of one tyre then a second later the other. Props to the pilot for that!

My wife took some video of the takeoff roll but the bright sunshine outside washed it out sadly.

[Eric Mc]

Did you note which Rapide it was?

[timskipper]

Eric Mc said:

Did you note which Rapide it was?

HG 691 in Military colours currently.