Aeroplane Monthly 1985-05
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K.Desmond - Arthur E. Hagg
AIR PORTRAITS' superb photograph of D.H.90 Dragonfly G-AEDU and D.H.89A Dragon Rapide G-AHGD, photographed near Old Warden on June 27, 1982. Both aircraft were designed by Arthur Hagg. The Dragonfly, currently the only airworthy example of its breed, is now flying in the USA.
The prototype D.H.91 Albatross, G-AEVV. Named Faraday, it served with Imperial Airways as a mail carrier from August 1939.
Perhaps the D.H.91 Albatross was Hagg's most beautiful design. Some say that its lines influenced the design of the Lockheed Constellation.
Designed as a twin-engined Fox Moth, the D.H.84 Dragon was first ordered by visionary coach operator Edward Hillman, whose idea the Dragon was.
The prototype Ambassador, G-AGUA, ended its experimental life as a static radio aerial test rig at Christchurch followed by a period at Filton as an engine test rig. It was finally scrapped at Stansted.
Perhaps the epitome of aerodynamic perfection uas Hogg's Airspeed A.S.57 Ambassador.
An essay in economy - the D.H.83 Fox Moth could carry five people on just 120 h.p. According to C. G. Grey the Fox was the first British aeroplane to support itself financially in the air.