Celebrating the 75th anniversary of de Havilland Dragon Rapide at Imperial War Museum Duxford

CLASSIC Wings celebrates the 75th anniversary of the de Havilland Dragon Rapide at Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday (August 23).

There will be the opportunity to get on board and explore a static Dragon Rapide at close quarters. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the aircraft's fascinating history by chatting to Classic Wings' staff and pilots.

There will also be a flying display featuring two Dragon Rapides. There will be the opportunity to enjoy a sightseeing flight over Cambridge. Flights will cost just �69 per person and should be pre-booked in advance as flights cannot be guaranteed on the day. Pleasure flights can be booked by calling 0870 902 6146 or book online at

www.classic-wings.co.uk.

De Havilland memorabilia will also be available to purchase.

The first prototype of the de Havilland Dragon Rapide was flown 75 years ago on 17

April 1934.

One famous incident involving the use of a de Havilland Dragon Rapide was in July

1936 when a British MI6 intelligence agent, Hugh Pollard, flew Franciso Franco in one from the Canary Islands to Spanish Morocco, at the start of the military rebellion which began the Spanish Civil War.

In addition to making a significant contribution to the outcome of the Second World

War as a communications and navigation trainer, the Rapide also holds a very special place in the history of commercial flight, being one of the first passenger airliners.

This elegant twin-engine biplane is the oldest passenger aircraft still flying.

It will also be familiar to fans of BBC 1's Torchwood, as a de Havilland Dragon Rapide featured in the 2006 episode Out of Time. Classic Wings' Dragon Rapide featured in

Britain's Greatest Machines with Chris Barrie and in Britain from Above with Andrew Marr.

For further information go to www.classic-wings.co.uk