Note: This aircraft is located in the Research & Development Gallery on a secure part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Click here for visiting instructions.
The Dominie was built in the United Kingdom as a military version of the DH 89 Dragon Rapide, an eight-passenger civilian light transport. The DH 89 was first flown in 1934, and by the time production ended about 10 years later, 728 of the small biplane transports had been built. More than 530 Dominies were produced for the Royal Air Force and used in communications, transport and training roles. Six were turned over to the USAAF's Eighth Air Force between 1942 and 1944. They were used primarily by the 27th Transport Group. As far as is known, all Dominies flown by Americans carried RAF serial numbers and no USAAF serial numbers were assigned.
The Dominie on display was built in 1944 and carried RAF serial number NR695. It was sold to the government of India in 1945, then sold again to a private concern in 1946. Eventually, it came to the United States where it was modified to the civilian Dragon Rapide passenger configuration seen here. It was obtained by the museum and flown here in November 1989. The aircraft will be modified and painted to represent one of the six Dominies flown by the USAAF during World War II.
SPECIFICATIONS: Span: 48 ft. Length: 34 ft. 6 in. Height: 10 ft. 3 in. Weight: 5,550 lbs. loaded Armament: None Engines: Two Gypsy Queen 3s of 200 hp each Crew: One
PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed: 157 mph Cruising speed: 132 mph Range: 578 miles Service ceiling: 19,500 ft.
