RAPIDE REVIVED

Beautifully finished in period Iberia colours, the Fundación Infante de Orleans’ Dragon Rapide is flying again in tribute to the de Havilland biplane airliner’s significant Spanish service

SPANISH RAPIDE

Fundación Infante de Orleans president Carlos Valle flying the recently repainted Dragon Rapide, now registered EC-MQS, on 28 September 2017.
The FIO operated the Rapide for a time in its previous colour scheme, one well known to British airshow audiences from G-AEML’s time in the ownership of first Victor Gauntlett and then Ken Whitehead.
ISMAEL ABEYTUA/FIO

Given what an important role the de Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide played in Spanish civil and military aviation history, the addition of an airworthy example to the country’s main ‘flying museum’ fleet was extremely appropriate. It happened on 17 May 2008, when the Fundación Infante de Orleans (FIO) received Rapide G-AEML.

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below