Topic: DH 84 Dragon (Read 9108 times)

gribeauval · « **on:** June 18, 2009, 10:24:40 pm »

Just in case people think that I have given up building lifeboats I had better explain.

The client that I am building the RNLB Thomas McCunn for asked if I would repair and repaint one of the early models of the aircraft that flew the first airmail services to the Orkneys that had been dropped and broken. He also asked if it could be repainted in its early all over sliver with green trim.

1) This is what I received in a parcel, elevator section missing, rudder missing, one undercarriage missing, windows broken, struts damaged, wing rigging gone and 1/4" dust/muck inside the fuselage.

2) The fuselage was stripped down and cleaned up. The seats were stripped ready for recovering in thin black leather.

3) New side windows were made from perspex sheet with added framing.

4) New tailplane section spliced in place.

5) Recovered seats refitted in the fuselage.

6) New side windows fitted in place.

7) Upper fuselage section refitted.

New rudder carved and fitted in place.

gribeauval · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2009, 10:35:14 pm »

More of the rebuild.

1) The broken wings were repaired with modern epoxy glues to give them strength.

2) The glazing bars that form the cockpiot were soldered together.

3 & 4) Replacement second prop carved.

5) Masks were made to allow the painting of the wing registration numbers.

6) New wheel and cover carved then glued onto the legs.

7) Lower wings glued in place.

Fuselage decals made using Photoshop.

gribeauval · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2009, 10:45:44 pm »

Next bit !!

1,2 & 3) The decals and green cheat line were added before the top wings to allow easy access

4) Top wings added and the wire rigging in place.

5) External fuel gages and fillers added to the engines.

6,7,8,9,10 & 11) Aircraft finished!

12) Ready for takeoff !!!!!

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2009, 11:03:29 pm »

Great to see another damaged model restored better than its former glory.

Bob

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2009, 11:11:29 pm »

From the jig-saw puzzle you got, to the restored model is nothing short of a miracle, congratulations on a fine job.

Peter Fitness · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2009, 01:17:45 am »

Lovely job

The DH Dragon has a significant place in Australian aviation history, as it was used for a time by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Here is a photo I took of one at an air show in Bundaberg, Queensland, in 2003, plus one of the history of this particular aircraft.

Peter.

sinjon · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:35:49 am »

If you would like to fly in one you can from the IWM Duxford. My wife bought me a flight as a birthday present a couple of years ago,
now that's what I call a suprise, turn up to look at the aeroplanes, and end up flying in one.
The flight I took was over Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket, I think they did a Special over London.

Colin

chingdevil · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2009, 09:42:58 am »

That was a nice project, from what you a started with that is a nice model now

cosmosman · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2009, 02:11:01 pm »

Quote from: sinjon on June 19, 2009, 08:35:49 am

If you would like to fly in one you can from the IWM Duxford. My wife bought me a flight as a birthday present a couple of years ago,
now that's what I call a suprise, turn up to look at the aeroplanes, and end up flying in one.
The flight I took was over Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket, I think they did a Special over London.

Colin

My wife did the same for me a couple of years ago. Did the one over London. Flew from Duxford down to Thames Barrier up river to Buckingham Palace and back to Duxford. Simply stunning !! The D.H.89 Dragon Rapide is one of my favourite aircraft. Looking at scratchbuilding a 1/24th scale model of one.

Dreadstar · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2009, 04:26:14 pm »

My father was a wireless OP in a DH89 Dragon Rapide during WW2.

Peter · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2009, 04:27:50 pm »

A good job well done Mike, and a piece of history saved.

Is the 'BIG' Mersey still ongoing?

Peter

Jonty · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2009, 10:24:39 pm »

I still have the Rapide flight from Duxford to look forward to, courtesy of my brother. Almost full circle as my first ever flight was a joyride in a Rapide from Northolt over West London in the early 50s.

And I threw myself out of one at Halfpenny Green. Those diagonal struts from the upper wing root to the nacelle could have been designed to help parachutists out of the cabin. Just hang on standing on the wing till the man says Go!

Circlip · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2009, 07:07:50 pm »

You got/need a copy of the Aeromuddler plan Cosmo?? ---- PM

Regards Ian

cosmosman · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2009, 10:24:47 pm »

Hi Circlip,
I have a copy of the Scale Models plan and a copy of Harold Towners flying scale model thanks. I've also bought a couple of card models of the Dragon Rapide.

Cheers

Mike

Wasyl · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2009, 11:09:39 pm »

This might be of interest to anyone who wants to build one
item number
200390994583

Wullie

Nordsee · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2010, 04:46:25 pm »

Quote from: Dreadstar on October 07, 2009, 04:26:14 pm

My father was a wireless OP in a DH89 Dragon Rapide during WW2.

I used to do Parachute Free fall jumps from one of those, The Stall Speed was so slow, we could just step off backwards,off the lower wing, bit of buffet fro the Prop wash, but not much as the Pilot would throttle back when we were "Getting Off"!!

Ivanhoe · « **Reply #16 on:** April 05, 2010, 03:04:31 pm »

Very nice work there, and a superb finished model. Certainly I would say your work is superior to the original.

garston1 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 11, 2010, 09:32:25 pm »

Here's the Rapide outside the Marriot hotel at the John Lennon Airport Liverpool

dave301bounty · « **Reply #18 on:** April 19, 2010, 08:57:53 pm »

Word is ,you sold the Tanker ,,,,,

rathikrishna · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:01:43 pm »

Hai Friends..it was a great discussion...was much helpfull...thank you all...

bilzin · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:46:08 pm »

Quote from: Nordsee on January 11, 2010, 04:46:25 pm

I used to do Parachute Free fall jumps from one of those, The Stall Speed was so slow, we could just step off backwards,off the lower wing, bit of buffet fro the Prop wash, but not much as the Pilot would throttle back when we were "Getting Off"!!

And it was the very first civilian aircraft that I "exited" from back in'72 over Weston on the Green airfield courtesy of the RAFSPA.

Was an acquired art to leave the kite and find a footing on the lower wing mat, and the fingernail marks on the diagonal engine strut didn't exactly fill us with confidence.

Add to that an ex Polish WWII fighter pilot (Jerry Ostrowski ) as jump pilot, and you have the recipe for some "interesting" exits !

Ahhh....those were the days !!!

Bill

tony23 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2011, 11:21:55 pm »

I live in East London/Essex borders and I know my planes , I'm sure in the summer months one of these passes overhead very slowly with a distinct engine note which is why I know it's the same plane without even finding it in the sky so could one of these still be flying and probably coming out of either North weald or Duxford aerodromes?

PS. just reread the post and noticed sinjon mentions there is one a Duxford

brianB6 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 23, 2011, 06:38:04 am »

Ah! fond memories of my first flight. RAF Hendon c. 1947-8

DickyD · « **Reply #23 on:** May 21, 2011, 07:37:55 am »

Ahoy
you done a wonderfull job on the restoration of your Raptide, The DH Dragon Raptide is one of my favorite english aircraft of all time your looks gorgious A HARDY WELL DONE. I would love to share mine with your dear sir if you dont mind. Mine is made from paper

Franklyn Day

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Author Topic: DH 84 Dragon (Read 9108 times)

chingdevil

cosmosman

Dreadstar

cosmosman

Wasyl

Nordsee

Ivanhoe

garston1

dave301bounty

rathikrishna

bilzin

tony23

brianB6