Flights from £99
A nostalgic sightseeing flight in the elegant Dragon Rapide, one of Britain’s best loved pre-war aircraft.
Ours are two of the very few Dragon Rapides left flying and are completely restored to comply with modern regulations – the last word in civilised sightseeing! Each of the eight seats on board has a window so is perfect for viewing the landscape below. Choose from a variety of spectacular routes, starting and finishing at Duxford.
Flights take place at weekends and Wednesdays throughout the season
Choose from three Dragon Rapide flights
Dragon Rapide Flight over Cambridge, Ely & Newmarket
Dragon Rapide Flights over the Landmarks of London
Dragon Rapide Flight over Cambridge
(see below for details)
Your activity also includes:
- Pre-flight briefing
- Entrance to the Imperial War Museum Duxford (voucher holder)
- Discounted entrance to the museum for others.
Availability
Rapide flights are available every weekend and most Wednesdays from March to October. Not available on Duxford Airshow days.
Duration
The flights are in the minutes shown chock to chock (aircraft brakes off to brakes on)
Restrictions
Weight limit on this activity is strictly 18 stone (115kg). Participants must be able to climb up a couple of steps to enter the aircraft. There is no minimum or maximum age.
Spectator Information
*Please note that accompanying friends and family must enter the Imperial War museum in order to watch the flights, but will be entitled to 50% discount on the usual admission fee.
Meal Arrangements
Restaurant and several cafes available on site.
Weather Restrictions
All flights are weather dependent and therefore subject to suitable flying conditions. If a flight has to be cancelled it will be rebooked for an alternative date, which must be within 12 months of the cancellation date.
ALL BOOKINGS ARE CONFIRMED INSTANTLY BY EMAIL.
Please contact us if you do not receive your confirmation email immediately after booking.
Dragon Rapide Flights
over Cambridge, Ely & Newmarket
over Cambridge, Ely & Newmarket
Flights for Individuals – £219
Flights for Two – £399
Flight duration : approx 45 minutes
Taking off from Duxford, the Dragon Rapide flies north at 1500 feet giving you the finest possible views over the local countryside.
First the ancient city of Cambridge will appear beneath the bi-plane’s silver wings; see the breathtaking spires, the pinnacles of King’s College Chapel, the courtyards of Trinity and St. John’s, and the River Cam as it flows through the gardens and water meadows of the University.
Then you will fly on to the mighty Romanesque Cathedral at Ely and the famous racetrack at Newmarket, home of the Sport of Kings
Dragon Rapide Flights
over the Landmarks of London
over the Landmarks of London
Flights for Individuals – £269
Flights for Two – £489
Flight duration : approx 70 minutes
Taking off from Duxford, your aircraft flies gently south towards London and its famous skyline.
The Dragon Rapide then passes over the now famous Olympic Village, then on to Tower Bridge, Parliament, Buckingham Palace all London’s famous landmarks.
The large windows at every seat offer superb views of a modern city framed between silver wings and their bracing wires and struts, emphasizing the grace and nostalgia of this lovely aircraft.
Just wanted to say what a fantastic day we had on Saturday. My flight was spectacular and the best experience I have had for many years, everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Duxford is the most amazing museum and we only wished we had two full days to take it all in.
Dragon Rapide Flights
over Cambridge
over Cambridge
Flights for Individuals – £99
Flights for Two – £179
Flight duration : approx 20 minutes
Commencing with superb views of the ancient city of Cambridge.
This tour takes in the breathtaking spires, the pinnacles of King’s College Chapel, the courtyards of Trinity and St. John’s, and the River Cam as it flows through the gardens and water meadows of the University.
Testimonials
A great flight in this lovely old aircraft which I and my whole family thoroughly enjoyed.
My flight in your Dragon Rapide brought back many memories – and the view of London was spectacular!
I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to you and all of the team that helped to give us all a very special and memorable day at Duxford.
More about the Dragon Rapide here at Classic Wings.
by Chris Scholfield of Classic Wings
There is an expression in aviation that says “If it looks right, it will fly right”. The Spitfire is a good example of this philosophy as indeed is Concorde. We like to think that the Dragon Rapide fits into this category as well. For 70 years the graceful Art-Deco lines of the Rapide have graced the world’s skies making it a favourite with passengers and pilots alike. The fact that a steady trickle of these mini-airliners is being restored to fly again emphasises that they still have a valuable part to play in re-creating the flying nostalgia of an earlier age.
We hope this brief introduction will give you a small insight into the background of the Rapide and add a little to what we are sure will have been a very pleasant flight back in time.
De Havilland Dragon Rapide G-AIYR
G-AIYR was built as a DH89A Dominie with the construction number 6676. She was delivered to 18MU from the Brush Coachworks at Loughborough on 11.12.43 with the RAF serial HG 691. She didn’t stay there long and was delivered to No 2 Radio School at Yatesbury on 28.12.43 with the code 219. Her wartime service ended at 5 MU at Kemble on 16.8.45. On demob she passed through several hands until Hunting Surveys bought her for aerial survey work in 1953. This work continued until 1971 when she was pressed into service by Westward Airways for the Lands End to Scilly Isles run.
In 1980 she was flown by David and Cherry Cyster to South Africa to commemorate the Alan Cobham’s 1925 flight. A relatively quiet period followed until Classic Wings bought her in 1991, since when she has been plying her trade at Duxford bringing back memories and creating new ones.
De Havilland Dragon Rapide G-AKIF G-AKIF (construction number 6838) followed G-AIYR down the line at the Brush Coachworks but wasn’t delivered until 9.1.45. Bearing the RAF serial NR750 she was allocated to the Station Flight at Halton carrying the code THA-F. She was sold off in 1947 and was soon bought by Manx Airlines and flown by them on routes from the Isle of Man to Ireland, Blackpool and Liverpool/Manchester until 1958. She then passed through the hands of several companies including one owned by Sir Bernard Docker, until she was bought for use by The Parachute Regiment Free Fall Club in 1968. During this period she was sponsored by Rothmans and spent some time in Norway paradropping. On her return in 1973 she was purchased by Sir Adrian Swire and is now operated on his behalf by Classic Wings.
