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De Havilland D.H.89 Dragon Rapide. Constructor No.6278 G-ADAH Pioneer
Built in 1935, ADAH was one of the original Rapides ordered by Hillman Airways, who were the original specifiers of both the DH 84 and the DH89 Dragons. Hillman took ownership of the aeroplane on 19/2/35. A year later ADAH was operating for British Airways Ltd (Abridge) 2/36. From 8/36 ADAH moved to Renfrew in Scotland, operating with Northern and Scottish Airways, then to Airwork Ltd at Shoreham 8/37. Gander Dower then purchased ADAH for his Allied Airways fleet 10/38 flying out of Dyce, naming the aeroplane Pioneer. ADAH operated under N.A.C.aegis throughout the war in civil markings, but camouflaged.
After the expiration of its C of A 9/647, Pioneer was put into store at Dyce, before being reduced to spares at Booker in 1969, with some components going to Old Warden.
The remains of ADAH were gathered together by the
British Aircraft Preservation Society (BAPS) (later The Aeroplane
Company) and moved to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
for complete rebuilding by a team headed by Basil Carling. After
almost five years, the immaculate restoration/rebuild to airworthy
condition was completed in 1995, and ADAH is now permanently on
static display at the Museum.