A
altitude capability ranked far
lower on the list of design criteria.
The Rapide with its pair of 200-
hp, six-cylinder, inline engines
cruised at a stately 132 mph and
topped out at less than 17,000 feet.
Its range is listed as about 575
statute miles.
The Rapide also is unique in
its cabin configuration. Since it
was assumed that, like the Fox
Moth, it would be flown by a sin-
gle pilot, the fuselage narrows at
the front with a single seat. The
view from within the cockpit is
spectacular. The pilot is sur-
rounded by Plexiglas panels for a
helicopter-like experience. The
single yoke sits atop a tall control
column, dominating the cockpit
like the helm of an old sailing
ship. To either side, the engine,
trim, and other controls fall eas-
ily to hand in the narrow space.
The tall instrument panel pres-
ents what little information the
pilot needed to help maintain
control, dominated by the
British turn-and-slip. The tradi-
tional British compass—roughly
the size of a small hatbox—sits in
its customary location on the
brilliant red of the Royal Guard,
complemented by the deep blue
of the carpet. The seats are ele-
gant yet utilitarian in their shape.
They look sort of like chess
pawns, but the bright red leather
adds an air of aristocracy. And of
course, there is a bulkhead sepa-
rating the passenger cabin from
the cockpit, though a small art
deco-styled opening allows
access to the front for the pilot.
The headliner is done in a rich
off-white color to provide a sense
of airiness to the interior. And
each seat is accompanied by a
reading lamp.
Prince Edward exits the Dragon Rapide he purchased in 1934. It was the first aircraft assigned
as personal transport for the royal family. With its range of 575 miles, it was able fly almost the
entire length of Britain from north to south.
JERRY’S MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM
In 1994, Jerry was an avid GA
pilot and Virginia Beach native
using his Piper Aerostar to
travel for his business, which
involves administration of
colleges and trade schools
throughout the country.
It should be mentioned that Prince Edward’s connection
to aviation went far beyond gadding around his realm
in the Rapide’s sumptuous cabin.
cockpit floor in front of the
rudder bar, well hidden by the
control column.
The passenger cabin is all
about the coachwork. The Rapide
was crafted entirely out of wood,
braced by wires. You can see the
influence of generations of hand-
crafted yachts, carriages, and
automobiles. In Jerry’s royal fam-
ily replica Rapide, pleated leather
side panels are done in the
for a visit with his younger
brother Bertie.
He and his wife, Elaine, were
in Hamilton, Ontario, at a conven-
tion of Aerostar owners and were
invited to a dinner dance at the
Canadian Warplane Heritage
Museum. Jerry, who went to the
dance dressed as a wartime B- 17
pilot (with Elaine suitably dressed
as his date), became enthralled
with the aircraft surrounding him,
and began looking for a fighter of
his own to restore and fly. What
started as a commitment to find
and restore one airplane quickly
grew to passionate proportions.
