Built for the RAF as NR749. Civilianised in late 1946 and flew for several small charter operators including Mayflower Air Services of Plymouth in 1963/64. Mayflower were bought by British Westpoint Airways in May 1964 and the aircraft was sold later that year but retained the adapted titles of 'Flower Air Services'. It changed owners again before being withdrawn from use in 1973 and spent some time in store at Southend for the Historic Air Museum until going to a site at Chirk in North Wales in 1978, some parts are believed to remain there with Dragon Aviation at time of upload.

Seen under restoration at Coventry's Airbase.

The aircraft is being restored in the colours of Fleet Air Arm Dominie HG709 c/n 6694 which, sadly, was burnt on the Portsmouth Corporation rubbish tip in December 1962! (Credit: Air-Britain DH.89 History).

Restored to flight in 2014 after decades grounded, here providing joy rides

Participated in the air display. Current in 2025.

The Ba.44 was an adaption of the licensed DH.89 Dragon Rapide, changed to Italian construction techniques. Five were built for Ala Littoria plus one for Paraguay which, having c/n 4302, may have been the prototype. Here we see c/n 4303, ex MM267, I-AERE and I-ORSO. Sent to Libya, it was used by the air force to transport officials including Governor Balbo. From the fall of 1935 it became an ambulance and it seems to wear officious serial MM4303. By June 1940 it was involved in the invasion of Greece, joining the four others which had also been militarised. 4303 was then assigned MM60426. It crashed near Tirana on 9 March 1941. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Ex OH-BLA. Later OH-DHA, OY-DAS, D-IGEL and D-ILIT. Photo by: Tauno Keskinen / Museum Centre Vapriikki (Tampere)

Ex X7521, reported as sold to as scrap to Short Brothers at Rochester in April 1949 and subsequently registered as G-ALOV. Sold to Societe Transports Aeriens du Gabon in March 1954. Destroyed by fire while starting its engines at Ekouata, French Equatorial Africa, 16th March 1955.

Later OH-VKH, OH-DHA, OY-DAS, D-igel and D-ILIT. Photo from: E.M. Staf / Museum Centre Vapriikki (Tampere)