Among the racing cars, sports cars and classic saloons looking for new homes will be a real rarity from 1943: a de Havilland DH84 Dragon, one of just five airworthy examples in the world. Fully restored to immaculate condition, Bonhams is confident the twin-engined biplane will make more than £200,000.
Apart from providing an authentic taste of early passenger flight – the Dragon was originally conceived in the 1930s as a 6-8 seater to fly between England and Paris Le Bourget – the aircraft for sale comes with a rich history.
The biplane was one of the Dragons built during the Second World War by de Havilland Australia at its plant in Bankstown, Sydney. It served in the RAAF as a navigational training aircraft before being converted post-war for civilian use. For a while it operated with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Alice Springs. More recently it was in a museum in Australia.
The Dragon was acquired by the historic aircraft collector Sir Torquil Norman whose Norman Aeroplane Trust brought it to the UK and had it restored to flying condition. Since then it has become a familiar sight at air shows and vintage fly-ins, clocking up 450 flying hours throughout Europe.
Bonhams’ group motoring chairman James Knight said: “With its ability to cover great distances with at least six passengers and land almost anywhere the DH84 was the executive jet of its day.”
It is hoped that the de Havilland will be on show at Revival (weather dependent). But with Revival’s Freddie March Spirit of Aviation celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2017 there will be a lot more to keep aviation enthusiasts happy. Highlights of the concours d'elegance for pre-1966 aircraft include the world’s only Bristol Blenheim, a Miles Whitney Straight, Foster Wickner Wicko and two Beechcraft Staggerwings. Some of the aircraft will be flying in from as far as New Zealand and Australia.
Revival
Revival 2017
Bonhams
De Havilland
2017
