Called up for wartime service, the Rapide became the hard-working Dominie crew trainer. Ken Ellis describes its new career
From the outset it looked like an uneven struggle, but both competitors for Air Ministry Specification G18/35 arrived for evaluation on April 13, 1935. Aircrew at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Martlesham Heath, Suffolk and the newly formed Coast Defence Development Unit at Go sport, Hampshire would make the recommendations.
With war clouds looming, the RAF was keen to bolster its meagre maritime resources with a twin engined machine for armed general reconnaissance. Tasks would include coastal anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort. Hugely valuable contracts awaited G18/35’s winner.
Submissions from Avro and de Havilland (DH) were successful and the Air Ministry ordered a prototype from each manufacturer for a fly-off. The Avro entrant, Type 652A K4771, was a streamlined monoplane with retractable undercarriage, an enclosed gun turret and a cruising speed of 165mph (265km/h). The DH hopeful, DH.89M K4772, was an elegant biplane with fixed, spatted undercarriage, an open gun position and a cruise capability of 132mph.
Avro had previously responded to an …
