G-AKIF

G-AKIF

De Havilland 89A Dragon Rapide c/n 6838 ex LN-BEZ, G-AKIF, NR750

Built by Brush Coachworks Ltd at Loughborough under Contract No: 6/Aircraft/2580/C20a for RAF as a Dominie with serial NR750. Taken on charge 9.1.45 with Station Flight, Halton with Unit Code THA-F. To 5MU Kemble 3.3.47. SOC & Sold 25.8.47 to A Hamson & Son Ltd., Brixworth, Northampton to whom Re-Regd as G-AKIF 24.9.47 (CofR No: 11943/1). Cld 11.10.47 & Re-Regd 22.10.47 (CofR No: 11943/2 later R.1306/2) to Manx Air Charters Ltd., Ronaldsway. CofA No: 9807 issued 22.12.47. Named Glen Wyllin. Temporary extension of CofA to 30.12.48 & 29.1.49 and then full renewal 19.7.50. Further renewals at 26.5.50, 20.12.51 (when CofA No: changed to A1306). Reportedly offered for sale by L E H Airways Ltd of Horsey Toll., the initials L E H indicating L E Hamson and suggesting that the Hamson family had retained an interest after the initial sale ex-RAF. Nonetheless, remained with Manx and the Company name change 2.53 to Manx Airlines Ltd although CofR not altered until 20.8.53. CofA renewals at 12.2.53, 15.1.54, 1.2.55, 2.3.56, 29.3.57 & 6.6.58. Leased to Skyflights Ltd. (Founded by Norman Jones) between 6.58 and 8.58 for pleasure flights from Ramsgate. Cld 6.9.58 & Re-Regd 16.10.58 (CofR No: R.1306/3) to Hants & Sussex Aviation Ltd., Portsmouth. Cld 4.2.59 & Re-Regd 5.2.59 (CofR No: R.1306/4) to T H Marshall, Christchurch. CofA renewed 8.5.59. Cld 14.2.62 & Re-Regd 2.3.62 (CofR No: R.1306/5) to Southern Counties Aerial Contracts Ltd., Staverton. CofA expired 28.6.62. Cld 27.2.63 & Re-Regd 5.3.63 (CofR No: R.1306/6) to Bardock Aviation Services Ltd., Staverton. In reality this was a Company name change, reflecting the names of the founders H G Barwell & Sir Bernard Docker. The Company applied unsuccessfully to the ATLB for approval to operate scheduled passenger services to the West Country, but due to objections from Mayflower Air Services in particular, only a handful of charter operations were made before the Company ceased trading. CofA renewed 5.3.64 but aircraft remained effectively unused. CofA renewed again 9.5.66. CofR Cld 25.4.66 & Re-Regd 15.7.66 (CofR No: R.1306/7) to Kentair Charters (Biggin Hill) Ltd., Biggin Hill. Further CofA renewal 13.1.67. Cld 9.3.68 (notified 29.4.68) & Re-Regd 2.5.68 (CofR No: R.1306/8) to Bernard S Schofield tr The Parachute Regiment Free Fall Club, Netheravon. To Arrow Air Services at Shipdham for major overhaul and CofA renewed 15.3.68. Further CofA renewals 28.4.69, 28.4.71 and 30.7.71. Repainted in Rothmans cigarette colours with name The Rothmans Skydiver and operated in Norway as part of a sponsorship promotion of the Army Red Devils team. Cld 2.8.71 on transfer to Norway & Re-Regd 6.8.71 (CofR No: 1227) as LN-BEZ to Paralift Petter Ringvold, Asker. Cld 30.4.73 & Re-Regd 15.6.73 (CofR No: R.1306/9) as G-AKIF to Adrian C Swire (later Sir) at Booker. CofA renewal 17.8.73. Re-Regd 12.9.73 (CofR No: R.1306/10) to Airborne Taxi Services Ltd (another Company within the Swire Group) still at Booker. During 5.74 it was painted as G-ADAE for film use. Operated for Classic Wings at Duxford for pleasure flight. Often hangared at Eastern end during plasure flying season