A Rapide biplane at Bukoba Airstrip

East African Airways, a consortium formed by the Governments of Tanganyika, Kenya and Uganda, had started an internal airways service in the early 1950s. They had purchased nin e DC3s and two smaller aircraft. These were DH.89 Dragon Rapide bi-planes with two 200 h.p. engin es, a cruising speed of 132 m.p.h. and carrying between six and eight passengers. They were used on circular routes calling at those stations which had small grass airfields similar to the one at Bukoba. These wood and fabric bi-planes were a delight to fly in and you might imagine the early days of flight , with wind whistling through the wing struts.
I recall the first-ever appointed African Cardinal arriving at Bukoba in one of these Rapides. An Mhaya, Cardinal Rugambama, had flown to Rome for his consecration and on his return to Tanganyika decided that his first visit, as a Cardinal, would be to his home town of Bukoba. news of his impending arrival was well publicised and a crowd thronged the grass airstrip. That week there had been torrential rain, resulting in pools of water and muddy patches on the landing strip , a situation which sometimes put it out of action.
The Rapide 's pilot was obviously aware of this and he made two circuits before deciding it was safe to land. As he touched down and was slowly taxiing towards the waiting crowds, the aircraft stopped abruptly as its wheels sank to the hubs in soft ground. It tipped on its nose and the tail-fin rose high in the air. A gasp from the waiting crowd before they dashed, splashing through the puddles, towards the Rapide. A moment of silence and then the door opened and the Cardinal, resplendent in his red robes, biretta and clutching his crosier, stepped on to the sloping wing. He stood for a moment holding on to a wing trut and with a magnificent gesture raised his hand and blessed the rowd. Not everyday one sees a Cardinal coming in on 'a wing and a prayer'!

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