De Havilland Dragon Rapide

procrastination inc · Nov 27, 2001, 05:02 AM

I like the look of this plane, but can't find any plans.

Anyone seen plans for this twin tiger?

more here:

http://images.google.com/images?q=dr...&start=20&sa=N

leccyflyer · Nov 27, 2001, 05:29 AM

Hi

Nexus have two DH Dragon Rapide plans, for a 96" span monster and a more manageable 42" span version for 2x.15s that could definitely be electrified.

Have a look at

http://www.nexusonline.com/pages/nexusdirect.cgi

At the Hooton Park open day last week there was a nice little exhibition showing the construction of the replica DH Dragon Rapide that now resides outside of the Marriot Hotel in Liverpool. The hotel was converted from the classic 1930's terminal building at Liverpool Airport- you know the one in the background when the Beatles used to come home

. The full sized replica was built by NAHM just like a big model and now stands resplendent outside of the hotel.

Here's a link

http://www.northwestaviation.org.uk/

slow loading site but it might be of interest.

HTH

Brian

JeffD · Nov 27, 2001, 06:54 AM

EFI (Traplet) published a set of plans for a 1m electric version for speed 400s. I've got a set of the plans and it is a nice looking build

temacc · Nov 28, 2001, 01:16 AM

Guy name of Sweitzer, something like that, had plans about 10 years ago for a large (about 96 inch span) one...absolutely gorgeous, but would take me 2 lifetimes to build all the ribs.

Terry

procrastination inc · Nov 28, 2001, 04:53 AM

Thanks for the leads guys

Bruce DeVisser · Nov 29, 2001, 12:13 AM

Here is some sizing info for you - at Aspach in SPetmeber I saw a scratch-built DH-84 Dragon (predecessor of Dragon Rapide) 119 in span, 24 lbs, Robbe Sport 650/8 motors, 13 x 7 APC props, 24 x RC2000 cells per motor. It is a magificent flyer.

There is a fellow in Northwest USA (names is Schweizer I think)who cuts kits for one that is for .70 4-stroke glow motors, so very suitable for electric. I had a kit but traded it to a friend.

JRuggiero · Nov 29, 2001, 04:17 PM

Check your newstand (Barnes & Noble) for the British publication, Scale Aircraft Modelling. The October 2001 issue, Vol 23 #8, has an extensive article on the Dragon Rapide series, with many photos in B&W and color, dozens of color views, and a large double-spread three-view. All it lacks are a few fuselage cross-sections. Otherwise, short of a specialist monograph, this is the best material I've seen on the DH89.

procrastination inc · Nov 30, 2001, 05:30 PM

thanks JRuggiero

I'll hunt that one down!

Mike Payne · Dec 02, 2001, 06:15 PM

This my Rapide, she always performs very well.

John E · Dec 03, 2001, 02:15 AM

BTW,

For those who might not be aware, Mike's IS the Traplet plan

procrastination inc · Dec 04, 2001, 05:11 AM

Nice looking plane mike

Found the mag, wife has got it for a stocking stuffer

I thought the planform of the wing was similar to the tigermoth, is that the earlier dragon?

Mike Payne · Dec 04, 2001, 01:25 PM

DH built the Dragon first with tip panels similar to the Tiger Moth, they then built the 4 engined DH 86 which had eliptical wings. The Rapide was the final version. The Rapide that I built is incredibly stable for having such horrible looking wing tips. The only time that she has tip stalled was when a motor lost her prop. Having spun close to the ground, cutting the remaining motor she pulled out cleanly.

Flying the Rapide is a simple smooth task, how to make her look calm and docile compared to the frantic aerobatics of many other planes - but do get the wing loading down low to be succesful. The plan has a few errors, let me know if you are building her and I will try to remember the problems.

smundt · Dec 04, 2001, 03:42 PM

At the MARCEE fly-in last June, Ken Flaglor, of Flaglor Scooter fame for all you EAAers, had an absolutely beautiful Rapide that I believe he designed.

If I remember correctly it was for twin speed 400's. It was covered in transparent red and blue covering and his craftsmanship was first rate. The plane did not fly due to high winds but it looked like a neat, airworthy design.

Mr. Flaglor was the designer of the Flaglor Scooter, a full scale, single-place, high wing, wood construction, Volkswagen powered homebuilt. I recognized his name from articles in old copies of Sport Aviation. He was nice enough to let me pepper him with questions about the Scooter and his current electric powered projects.

I do not know if he has plans available, but it woyuld be worth a try.

smundt

Nov 27, 2001, 05:02 AM	#1
procrastination inc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Adelaide,Australia Posts: 235	De Havilland Dragon Rapide I like the look of this plane, but can't find any plans. Anyone seen plans for this twin tiger? more here: http://images.google.com/images?q=dr...&start=20&sa=N

Dec 02, 2001, 06:15 PM	#9
Mike Payne Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Brum UK Posts: 597	Dragon for 2 x 600 This my Rapide, she always performs very well. Attached Thumbnails 80.7 KB · Views: 424

Dec 04, 2001, 01:25 PM	#12
Mike Payne Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Brum UK Posts: 597	Dragon / DH 86 / Rapide DH built the Dragon first with tip panels similar to the Tiger Moth, they then built the 4 engined DH 86 which had eliptical wings. The Rapide was the final version. The Rapide that I built is incredibly stable for having such horrible looking wing tips. The only time that she has tip stalled was when a motor lost her prop. Having spun close to the ground, cutting the remaining motor she pulled out cleanly. Flying the Rapide is a simple smooth task, how to make her look calm and docile compared to the frantic aerobatics of many other planes - but do get the wing loading down low to be succesful. The plan has a few errors, let me know if you are building her and I will try to remember the problems.

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Nov 27, 2001, 05:29 AM	#2
leccyflyer Get One Up! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 9,302	Hi Nexus have two DH Dragon Rapide plans, for a 96" span monster and a more manageable 42" span version for 2x.15s that could definitely be electrified. Have a look at http://www.nexusonline.com/pages/nexusdirect.cgi At the Hooton Park open day last week there was a nice little exhibition showing the construction of the replica DH Dragon Rapide that now resides outside of the Marriot Hotel in Liverpool. The hotel was converted from the classic 1930's terminal building at Liverpool Airport- you know the one in the background when the Beatles used to come home . The full sized replica was built by NAHM just like a big model and now stands resplendent outside of the hotel. Here's a link http://www.northwestaviation.org.uk/ slow loading site but it might be of interest. HTH Brian

Nov 27, 2001, 06:54 AM	#3
JeffD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,075	EFI (Traplet) published a set of plans for a 1m electric version for speed 400s. I've got a set of the plans and it is a nice looking build

Nov 28, 2001, 01:16 AM	#4
temacc H2OFLY Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 2,509	Guy name of Sweitzer, something like that, had plans about 10 years ago for a large (about 96 inch span) one...absolutely gorgeous, but would take me 2 lifetimes to build all the ribs. Terry

Nov 28, 2001, 04:53 AM	#5
procrastination inc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Adelaide,Australia Posts: 235	Thanks for the leads guys

Nov 29, 2001, 12:13 AM	#6
Bruce DeVisser E-Scale & Sailplane Guy Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Jose, Ca USA Posts: 179	Here is some sizing info for you - at Aspach in SPetmeber I saw a scratch-built DH-84 Dragon (predecessor of Dragon Rapide) 119 in span, 24 lbs, Robbe Sport 650/8 motors, 13 x 7 APC props, 24 x RC2000 cells per motor. It is a magificent flyer. There is a fellow in Northwest USA (names is Schweizer I think)who cuts kits for one that is for .70 4-stroke glow motors, so very suitable for electric. I had a kit but traded it to a friend.

Nov 29, 2001, 04:17 PM	#7
JRuggiero Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Blacksburg, VA 24060 USA Posts: 1,308	Check your newstand (Barnes & Noble) for the British publication, Scale Aircraft Modelling. The October 2001 issue, Vol 23 #8, has an extensive article on the Dragon Rapide series, with many photos in B&W and color, dozens of color views, and a large double-spread three-view. All it lacks are a few fuselage cross-sections. Otherwise, short of a specialist monograph, this is the best material I've seen on the DH89.

Nov 30, 2001, 05:30 PM	#8
procrastination inc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Adelaide,Australia Posts: 235	thanks JRuggiero I'll hunt that one down!

Dec 03, 2001, 02:15 AM	#10
John E Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 2,075	BTW, For those who might not be aware, Mike's IS the Traplet plan

Dec 04, 2001, 05:11 AM	#11
procrastination inc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Adelaide,Australia Posts: 235	Nice looking plane mike Found the mag, wife has got it for a stocking stuffer I thought the planform of the wing was similar to the tigermoth, is that the earlier dragon?

Dec 04, 2001, 03:42 PM	#13
smundt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 13	At the MARCEE fly-in last June, Ken Flaglor, of Flaglor Scooter fame for all you EAAers, had an absolutely beautiful Rapide that I believe he designed. If I remember correctly it was for twin speed 400's. It was covered in transparent red and blue covering and his craftsmanship was first rate. The plane did not fly due to high winds but it looked like a neat, airworthy design. Mr. Flaglor was the designer of the Flaglor Scooter, a full scale, single-place, high wing, wood construction, Volkswagen powered homebuilt. I recognized his name from articles in old copies of Sport Aviation. He was nice enough to let me pepper him with questions about the Scooter and his current electric powered projects. I do not know if he has plans available, but it woyuld be worth a try. smundt