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De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide s/n 6838 was manufactured in 1944 as a
DH.89B Dominie by the Brush Coachworks Ltd. factory at Longborough. The
aircraft was delivered in January 1945 and was operated first with the
Royal Air Force as NR750 at Halton Station Flight, coded "THA-F". On 3
March 1947, the NR750 was transferred to No. 5 MU (Maintenance Unit). On
25 August 1947, after wfu from military service, the aircraft was sold
to A Hamson & Son Ltd. On 24 September 1947 the aircraft was registered
G-AKIF as a DH-89A "Rapide" to A Hamson & Son Ltd, Northampton. On 11
October 1947, the aircraft was sold to Manx Air Charters Ltd. and the
G-AKIF was registered with Manx Air Charters Ltd, Ronaldsway, on 22
October 1947. In service with Manx, the aircraft was named "Glen
Wyllin". In February 1953, the company changed its name to Manx Airlines
as the old name was now out of date as the company's operations were now
basically of a scheduled nature. On 20 August 1953, the registered name
of the owner of the G-AKIF was changed into Manx Airlines Ltd.,
Ronaldsway. In May 1956, Manx Airlines became part of the Northern
Division of Silver City Airways. During the spring of 1958, the Manx
Airlines' aircraft and routes were integrated with those of those of
Silver City's Northern Division, and the name of Manx Airlines finally
disappeared. DH-89A G-AKIF didn't join the Silver City fleet, but was
operated by Skyflights Ltd, Ramsgate, in the period June 1958 -
September 1958 on joy-flights. On 16 October 1958, DH-89A G-AKIF was
registered with Hants & Sussex Aviation Ltd, Portsmouth. On 5 February
1959, DH-89A G-AKIF was registered with Thomas Hutton Marshall,
Christchurch. On 2 March 1962, the aircraft was registered to Southern
Counties Aerial Contracts Ltd, Staverton. On 5 March 1963, the
registered name changed to Bardock Aviation Services Ltd., London. On 25
April 1966, the aircraft was sold and on 15 July 1966 registered to
Kentair Charters (Biggin Hill) Ltd, Biggin Hill. On 2 May 1968, the
DH-89A G-AKIF was registered to Bernard Sydney Schofield, Trustee of the
Assets of the Parachute Regiment Free Fall Club, Netheravon. The ancient
airliner was restored in splendid condition by Arrow Air Services,
Shipdham for Rothmans sales promotion in Norway. On 2 August 1971,
registration G-AKIF was cancelled as sold in Norway. On 6 August 1971,
the restored old-timer biplane was temporarily registered LN-BEZ with
Paralift / Petter Ringvold, Asker, and flown to Norway. After the CofA
was issued on 1 October 1971, the DH-89A was registered LN-BEZ with
Paralift / Petter Ringvold & ptnrs, Asker, on 1 November 1972. In
February 1973, the DH-89A LN-BEZ was flown back to the UK, and on 30 April
1973, registration LN-BEZ was cancelled as sold to UK. On 15 June 1973, the
aircraft was restored as G-AKIF with to Adrian Christopher Swire, Booker. On 12
September 1973, the G-AKIF was registered with Airborne Taxi Services
Ltd, London, and based first at Booker and later Duxford. In May 1974,
the DH-89A was temporarily painted as G-ADAE for TV programme “South
Riding”. On 2 August 2006, DH-89A Dragon Rapide G--AKIF was damaged
during a landing accident at Duxford Aerodrome. Despite the nature of damage:
both propellers bent, left engine-mount distorted, left bracing struts
to upper fuselage deformed, cowlings bent and landing gear fairing
damage, the aircraft was restored in flying condition. Today, the DH-89A Dragon Rapide
G-AKIF is as before owned by Airborne Taxi Services but operated by Cirrus Aviation t/a Classic Wings
out of Duxford Aerodrome, Cambridgeshire.
On 6 August 1971, De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide LN-BEZ
was seen with ROTHMANS PARALIFT titles at Groningn Airport Eelde during the ferry flight UK-Norway. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
