DH-89a Dragon Rapide - Hillman's Airways - G-ADAH

DH-89a Dragon Rapide - Hillman's Airways - G-ADAH - Hillman’s Airways’ – registered initially on 12th November 1931 as Hillman’s Saloon Coaches and Airways Ltd. – inaugural flight was on the 1st April 1932 from Maylands Aerodrome in Essex (now a golf course), to Clacton-on-Sea, also in Essex, using a three-seater De Havilland Puss Moth (DH-80A). This was a distance of only 18 air miles in half an hour across the Wash but was then however 47 miles by road in 2-3 hours, and taking at least an hour today. The aircraft fleet was augmented soon afterwards by De Havilland Fox Moths (DH-83). The first aircraft used were De Havilland DH-80 Puss Moths followed with DH-83 Fox Moths – all biplanes – of various models. Hillman also had a DH-60m Moth aircraft, and a DH-60 G III Moth Major aircraft registered in his name. This was in addition to his later DH-84 Dragons, DH-89 Dragon Rapides and DH-86 Express aircraft. The Fox Moth aircraft was developed as an air-taxi in 1932 from the original Tiger Moth, many of whose components were used. The pilot sat in an open cockpit near the centre of the length of the plane, while the 4 passengers were in a small cabin towards the front. These aircraft operated the Hillman’s Airways flights from Clacton to Maylands to Ramsgate. Everything was done to minimise the costs of air travel, including paying minimal staff wages.  The aircraft were painted in a blue and white livery, reminiscent of the Hillman coach service.