De Havilland DH84 Dragon 1939 to 1943
Design:
A E Hagg
Company:
U K
De Havilland
Australia
De Havilland [ 1942 onwards ]
Wing Span:
47 ft 4 in 14.43 M
Wing Area:
376 sq ft
Length:
34 ft 6 in 10.52 M
Height:
Ceiling:
12,500 ft 3,810 M
Speed: at 1,000 ft
109 MPH
Range:
460 Miles 3,810 Km
T/O Weight:
4,200 lb 1,905 Kg
Crew:
1 or 2 Pilot
6 to 8 Passengers
Role:
Light Communications
Radio Training
Total Manufactured:
U K 115
Aust 87
Total 202
First Flight:
24 Nov 1932
Armament:
Nil
Years Served:
1939 to 1943
Qty Served:
2
Tail Nos:
NZ 550 NZ 551
Engine
Type:
De Havilland Gypsy Major 1
4 cylinder, inverted, in line, air cooled
Bore:
4.646 in 118 mm
Stroke:
5.512 in 150 mm
Volume:
373.6 cu in 6.124 L
Horse Power:
130 BHP
Max RPM:
2350 RPM
Fuel:
73 Octane
Oil:
OMD 370
Length:
48.3 in 1227 mm
Width:
20 in 508 mm
Height:
29.6 in 752 mm
Weight:
330 lb
Power to Weight Ratio:
0.393 BHP/ lb
Flown by E & W School Wigram
NZ 550
Constructors No.: 6091
Purchased by East Coast Airlines 1935
Registered ZK – ADS 29 Mar 1935
To Union Airways when
East Coast Airways was taken over 1 Jul 1938
Impressed into RNZAF
Cost 2,600.00.00 pound [$5,200] 13 Sep 1939
To Electrical and Wireless School, Wigram early 1940 – Mid 1942
To Fiji communication duties Sep 1942
Written off at Nausori, Fiji
Deterioration of Airframe 4 Jul 1943
NZ 551
Constructors No.: 6090
Purchased by East Coast Airlines 1935
Registered ZK – ADR 25 Mar 1935
Test flown at Hobsonville
Re Registered ZK – AER
To Union Airways when
East Coast Airlines was taken over 10 Jul 1938
Impressed into RNZAF
Cost 2,600.00.00 pound [$5,200] 15 Sep 1939
To Electrical and Wireless School, Wigram early 1940 to mid 1942
To Communications Flight, Rongotai
Damaged in a landing accident at Rongotai 1943
Sold to Air Travel NZ Ltd
Rebuiilt by De Havilland Ltd Rongotai
Registered ZK – AHT Mar 1944
The A/C was flying over Hope Saddle on Mount Hope
Nelson, when the pilot lost control
In a violent updraught the A/C stalled,
And dived into the forest below 30 Jun 1944
Killing airline founder Bert Mercer
And 1 other passenger, the other 5 on board were injured
Unlisted photos ex Ohakea Museum
with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner
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