Dragon Rapide - WW2 Livery

A clssic of classics - the Rapide at Duxford in WW2 colours for

Scottish Airways - with thanks to Duncan. Your comments

appreciated.

I've always loved this airplane - its one of the prettiest aircraft ever built in my humble estimation (yes, its humble when I am not mouthing off about Spitfires :)). And its great to see it from a different angle, not to mention in the war time livery that just seems to infuse the viewer with images of fedora-over-the-eyes wearing secret agents with up-turned collars at "neutral" airports :)

The word "elegant" always springs to mind when I see any DH airplane and certainly that applies here although, unlike most aircraft, this design is not especially flattered by this particular angle.

I like this Pat. The angle accents the 1930s quirkiness of design. But I can't say I prefer the color scheme to its peacetime livery; yellow or gloss hunter green. Did you happen to see Ian McKellum's version of "Richard III" made about eight or nine years back? Good close-ups of the Rapide in that film, and an excellent modern retelling of The Bard's tragic History.

I can't think a better angle for this bird. It's poetic and painting-like. Reminds me of the paintings sold at e.g. Duxford. Elliptic planforms! I didn't realize before that Dragon Rapide was that beautiful plane.

Thanks Juha - it's an old 'queen of the skies' and much loved in Scotland where it operated for many years.

 

Cheers.......Pat.