de Havilland Dominie
de Havilland · United Kingdom · first flew 1934 · transport aircraft
The de Havilland Dominie was the RAF and Royal Navy designation for the DH.89 Dragon Rapide biplane, used extensively as a navigation and radio trainer and communications transport during the Second World War. It combined the classic de Havilland biplane aesthetic with practical twin-engine reliability.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Distinctive curved cabin windows along the fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane with elegantly tapered upper and lower wings
- Twin De Havilland Gipsy Queen engines on lower wing struts
- Distinctive curved cabin windows along the fuselage
Instantly recognisable as a de Havilland biplane by its tapered single-bay wings and elegant fuselage with rounded windows; the twin engines mounted between the wings on short struts and the spatted fixed undercarriage are definitive identification features.
Specifications
- The de Havilland Dominie has a length of 10.52 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.63 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 253 km/h (157 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Dragon Rapide entered service with civilian operators in 1934 and was rapidly impressed into military service on the outbreak of war; the military version was named Dominie. Over 200 were operated by the RAF and Fleet Air Arm for communications, navigation training, and light transport duties throughout the war and into the early 1950s.
Variants
The RAF used the Dominie Mk I for radio and navigation training; the Dominie Mk II was a communications transport variant. Many civil Dragon Rapides subsequently served as Dominies after military impressment.
Where you'll see it
The DH.89 Dragon Rapide is one of the most commonly preserved British biplanes; airworthy examples fly regularly at Duxford (IWM), Shuttleworth, and with private owners; the type remains eligible for pleasure flights at several UK aerodromes.
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