De Havilland Dragon Rapide (G-AKIF)

AT SOME TIME, SOMEWHERE, IN SOME FORGOTTEN CONTEXT, SOMEONE` MENTIONED THIS AIRCRAFT. BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE. AWESOME! LEAVE IT TO DEHAVILLAND.

Wow. Now THAT is unique! Wikipedia has an informative article about the Rapide, including 3-views for those interested.

A few years ago, I took my Father-in-Law up for his first ever flight . . .
In this very aircraft!

Many years ago when it was possible to wander around our airport ramp (KBTV) without security credentials (I was in high school), I saw a newspaper item about a Rapide stopping in Burlington, Vermont while being ferried to the UK. So I found the hangar,, walked in, and chatted with the crew. They had a big fuel tank (with a hand pump!) where the passenger seats would normally be, to make the long legs necessary. It seemed very brave to me at the time. Super nice guys. No idea but it might be this airframe. I later got my private ticket in college and eventually an instrument rating. These aviators were certainly an inspiration to me!