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Last updated 26 February 2023
DE
HAVILLAND DHA-3 DROVER
Production
listing compiled by Geoff Goodall
DHA-3 Drover VH-EBQ (c/n 5003) on roll-out
from the Bankstown factory in 1950, prior to delivery to Qantas for New Guinea services.
Photo: John Hopton Collection
The role in which the Drover is best remembered was with the Royal Flying
Doctor Service in outback Australia. Drover
Mk.3A VH-FDC
delivers a stretcher patient to a waiting ambulance at
Broken Hill NSW.
Photo: Ben
Dannecker collection
At the end of World War Two, the Australian associate of the parent De Havilland company, De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Sydney
NSW
(referred to as DHA) was completing wartime RAAF Mosquito orders and
looking for a new design to build for the post-war civil market. The
general concept was a single-pilot utility transport for 8 passengers
as a replacement for the many DH.84 Dragon biplanes in use in
Australia. It was to be of simple rugged construction with fixed
undercarriage suitable for Outback operations on rough airstrips, with
low-powered 145hp DH Gipsy Major 10 Mk.2 engines, which were in
plentiful supply.
The new aircraft was
the DHA-3 Drover, and Chief Designers Bill Downes and Martin Warner acknowledged the parent
company’s DH.104 Dove design provided the stressed skin construction concept from which
the Drover evolved. However the construction and dimensions were not the same, Downes writing " the mainplane resembled that of the DH-104 in principle, however on close examination it differed in every detail.” Work on building the first prototype VH-DHA began at DHA’s
plant at Bankstown Airport, Sydney and was first flown on 23 January
1948 by company test pilot Brian Blackjack Walker. A second prototype VH-BMU was completed and soon initial orders seemed
promising, even if influenced by Australian Government support for local indsutry:
2 for Department of Civil
Aviation
6 for Trans Australia
Airlines (Government-owned domestic airline)
7 for Qantas Empire Airways
(Government was a shareholder)
3 for Commonwealth Department of Health
– Northern Territory Medical Service
1 for Royal Flying Doctor
Service (NSW Section), Broken Hill
The DCA Drovers, based in Melbourne and New Guinea, were used to
transport Departmental personnel. The others were Dragon replacements,
TAA ‘s Drovers being used on western Queensland remote mail runs and
Royal Flying Doctor Service contracts at Charleville and Cloncurry,
while Qantas based theirs in Papua New Guinea for passenger and
freight. TAA had initially used its first aircraft VH-DRA for a short
time on the Townsville-Cairns extension to the mainline coastal route
from southern cities, commencing 19 December 1950, replacing a TAA
Lockheed Lodestar. Royal Flying Doctor Service in NSW and Northern
Territory Medical Service in NT also replaced their Dragons with new
Drovers.
Unhappy
early days
The early years of Drover
operations were troubling times. Qantas was unimpressed with their takeoff
and climb performance in the New Guinea Highlands and other teething
problems associated with the introduction of any new type. The first hint of serious problems
ahead came in July 1951 when Qantas Drover VH-EBQ ditched in the sea
inbound to Lae, New Guinea with the loss of the Captain and six passengers.
Initially blamed on pilot-error for continuing VFR flight in low
cloud and rain, but later investigation established
that a propeller blade on the centre engine had suffered a structural
failure and broke away, pulling the engine out of its mountings in flight.
DHA was aware of airframe
vibrations experienced in flight with the prototype Drovers, and conducted
extensive test flying during 1948/49 with the first two aircraft VH-DHA
& VH-BMU. Different propellers,
including a wooden model, were installed and technicians used sensitive
equipment to conduct in-flight stress-analysis of engine/propeller vibration.
Unfortunately, the chosen airscrew, the De Havilland PD 80/2 M1/1 two
bladed electrical-operated variable pitch metal propeller, proved to
be the Drover's Achilles heel.
While the cause of the propeller failure in VH-EBQ was still being
considered by DCA and DHA, in April 1952 came the shock report that the
DCA Drover VH-DHA had lost a blade of the port propeller and ditched in
the Bismark Sea, 100 miles from Wewak. The blade had sheered off and
penetrated the cockpit, severely injuring the pilot’s foot. The Drover
sank, but the three occupants were rescued by a Qantas Catalina, which
landed on the sea in the lee of an island to collect them. DCA
implemented restrictive requirements for propeller inspections.
Further unwelcome confirmation of propeller structural failure came in
September 1952 when Qantas was ferrying VH-EBS from New Guinea to
Sydney for overhaul, with just the pilot on board. While commencing the
takeoff roll after a refueling stop at Mackay, Queensland, a propeller
blade of the centre engine sheared off, the out-of-balance forces
pulling the engine out of its mountings. The pilot managed to
stop the aircraft on the runway without further damage.
DCA issued a grounding
order for all existing Drovers, now designated Drover Mk.1. To
get them back in the air, DCA agreed to a DHA proposal to replace the
DH Variable Pitch propellers with Fairey-Reed metal fixed-pitch propellers
at DHA’s expense. This commenced right away, and the model was
designated Drover Mk.1F. In December 1952 DCA issued new load
charts to operators to standardise loading limits for the Drover 1Fs.
Not surprisingly, without V-P propellers, flight performance suffered.
DHA had been working on a solution, and during 1953 offered owners a
modification kit of double-slotted flaps. These were found to restore
performance to a reasonable level, and this model became the new standard,
designated Drover Mk.2. Progressively modified, Drover Mk.2s
settled back into airline and flying doctor service.
Qantas declined to accept
the final two of its order for new aircraft VH-EAX & EAY, which
went into storage at the DHA works. Eager to divest itself of the last
of its Drovers operating in New Guinea, Qantas offered them to Fiji
Airways as DH.89 Rapide replacements.
Five were shipped to Fiji where they were found to be ideal for low-level
flights carrying passengers and freight between the islands.
TAA handed its Drovers over to RFDS ownership in 1959, although the
airline coninued to operate and maintain them on a contract basis for
the RFDS. This made the RFDS the largest operator of the type. Talks
had begun with DHA to improve the DHA-3 using modern American engines,
resulting in DHA designing the Drover Mk.3 with the 145hp Gipsy Majors replaced by three
180hp Lycoming 0-360s and other modifications. The RFDS NSW Section
at Broken Hill was first to send their two Drovers to Sydney for rebuilding
as Mk.3s. VH-FDA went first in May 1959, and was first flown with Lycomings
at Bankstown on 30 September 1959. Extensive test flying for certification
followed, and it was not until June 1960 that it was handed back to
RFDS (NSW Section) painted in a new green and white scheme with red
crosses.
Two photograhs on a Flying Doctor Servic Drover taken in the early 1950s by Cloncurry-based flying doctor Dr. Alan J. Wood
RFDS Queensland Section followed by progressively sending their five
surviving Drovers to DHA at Bankstown to be upgraded to Mk.3, and
changing their registrations to the VH-FD series used by other RFDS
sections. In general, the re-engining with higher-powered Lycomings was
a success. The improved performance of the Drover Mk.3s allowed the
RFDS Queensland Section to widen their bases to Mount Isa and
Charleville. To improve longitudinal stabillity on flight , DHA
designed a modification which extended the horizontal tailplane by 24
inches and giving it a 14 degree dihedral. This was designated Drover Mk.3A, and in 1962 the two Broken Hill flying doctor aircraft
were again the first to be rebuilt. The following year DHA responded
to requests to increase the payload by modifications that resulted in
an increase in Maximum All Up Weight from 6,500 pounds to 6,800 pounds.
This final modification was designated Drover Mk.3B.
| Mk.1 |
145hp Gipsy Major 10 Mk.2 |
1948 |
DH Manual Variable-Pitch propellers |
| Mk.1F |
" |
1952 |
Fairey-Reed metal fixed-pitch propellers |
| Mk.2 |
" |
1953 |
Mk.1F fitted with double-slotted flaps. MAUW 6,500 lbs
|
| Mk.3 |
180hp Lycoming 0-360-A1A |
1959 |
Hartzell constant-speed feathering propellers. MAUW 6,600 lbs
|
| Mk.3A |
" |
1962 |
Horizontal tailplane given
a 14 degree dihedral and tailplane span extended by 12 inches each side
|
| Mk.3B |
" |
1963 |
MAUW increased to 6,800 pounds, providing higher payload and increasing the Centre of Gravity range to assist loading
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The Australian company De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd was renamed Hawker De Havilland (Australia) Pty Ltd in
February 1963. This followed the merger between De Havilland Aircraft
Co Ltd and Hawker Siddeley Group in Britain. Later corporate
changes and take-overs resulted in other name changes. The current
operating name is Boeing Aerostructures Australia Pty Ltd.
Prototype
Drover VH-DHA over the De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd factory, Bankstown
Airport, Sydney 1948. Ben Dannecker collection
DHA hangar staff pose with the prototype Drover in 1948. Picture courtesy of Peter J. Daunton, whose father has his hand on the
engine cowlings he had personally manufactured. Unfortunately the names of the rest of the group are not recorded.
Later island-hopping era
By 1967 the Flying
Doctor Drover era was coming to an end. Queensland Section negotiations
with TAA for a Drover replacement resulted in orders placed in April
1967 for Beech Queen Airs. This continued the association between DHA,
TAA and RFDS because Hawker De Havilland (Australia) Pty Ltd were Australian
Beechcraft agents. The first former TAA Queen Air A80 VH-TGD was handed
over to RFDS at Bankstown on 4 June 1967. The RFDS NSW Section, which
was independently managed and financed, selected the Beagle 206, and
traded in their two Drovers VH-FDA & FDC against two new Beagles
in September 1967.
The next chapter of Drover commercial service took place in the Pacific
islands group, The New Hebrides (now Vanuatu). Here an Australian
planter Bob Paul had established New Hebrides Airways, and after
commencing with a Rapide, standardised on Drovers which he found
perfect for his low level island hopping routes. A total of six Drovers
were operated by New Hebrides Airways, renamed Air Melanesiae. However
the Drovers were plagued by inadequate brake systems. A number of
accidents were caused by brakes failing or binding, causing violent
ground-loops and aircraft running off strips. On most occasions, Hawker
De Havilland sent maintenance teams from Sydney to repair each aircraft
on site.
By the 1970s, the final Australian commercial use of the now-aging Drovers was flying
passengers and supplies to islands just off the coast. In Perth, from
July 1970 Murchison Airlines flew Mk.3 VH-FDS on high frequency
12-minute legs to Rottnest Island, a popular holiday location. Up to 8
return flights were flown each day during summer, offering reduced
fares for passengers who joined the Mur-Bird Club.
Despite the success of this innovative operation, it was discontinued
when Trans West Air Charter took over Murchison and the Drover was
sold. In Queensland holiday-makers were flown to island tourist resorts by a variety of Drover operators.
Adelaide saw the Drover’s final airline use, when associated third
level airlines Coveair and IslandAir operated Drover Mk.3Bs VH-EOO
& VH-FDU on scheduled services to Kangaroo Island and other SA
towns. The former was retired in March 1974 when the cost of a
mandatory wing spar inspection was deemed uneconomical. VH-FDU
continued in service until May 1976 when it was retired during a
company financial restructure and later sold.
The surviving Drovers
flying in Australia are in the hands of enthusiasts who appreciate the
history of this unique trimotor.
TAA Captain Harry Moss had extensive experience flying Dragons and
Drovers with the NT Medical Service. He later wrote in typical laconic style of their first
Drover, a Mk.1: "VH-AZN
was a nice aircraft to fly and had plenty of control below the stalling
speed, but, like others of the series, it lacked stability and had to
be watched all the time. Otherwise it was likely to wander around the
sky, and then turn around and go home. The reason of course was that
it was too heavy for the small engines employed, or inversely, was underpowered.
As, however, the small engines did not guzzle up vast quantities of
fuel, the fuel range or endurance was good."
Only 20 DHA-3 Drovers
were built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown Airport, Sydney
over a 9 year period. Due to delays in production, later aircraft were
not completed in sequential order.
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Far more detail on the design and flying career
of the DHA-3 Drover can be found in my Drover
history published in 2017 by Air Britain:
De Havilland Drover -
Australia's Outback Workhorse
- A4 Soft cover, 96 pages
- 160 photographs
Order from: https://www.air-britain.co.uk/actbooks/acatalog/ABBooks-p1.html
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This
listing of total production is presented in order of constructor’s
number, 5001 to 5020:
C/n
5001
Mk. 1
Prototype
Clifford Peel
VH-DHA, (VH-CAU)
| .47/48 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5001 |
| .47 |
Ordered by Department of Civil Aviation,
Melbourne Vic |
| 27.10.47 |
DHA wrote to DCA requesting registration VH-DHA be reserved for
the first Drover |
| 20.1.48 |
DHA quoted construction date |
| 23.1.48 |
Registered VH-DHA De Havilland Aircraft
Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW |
| 23.1.48 |
First flight Bankstown, pilot Brian R. Walker.
(Brian "Blackjack" Walker was an ex RAAF pilot who joined De Havilland
at Bankstown in 1945 as test pilot, initially on the Mosquito production) |
| 23.1.48 |
CofA issued by DCA inspector A. H. Affleck, referred to as "special
Interim CofA".
DH Gipsy Major T Mk.10 engines with DH Variable Pitch propellers |
| 28.1.48 |
DCA wrote to DHA: "Departmental personnel are not to act as
crew or passengers during preliminary flight trails of the DHA-3" |
| 27.2.48 |
DHA advise DCA that 10 hours of test flying has been completed
and request approval to carry technicians and airline pilots during
further test flights. Approved. |
| 29.5.48 |
visited Fishermans Bend, Melbourne, Commonwealth Aircraft Corp's
airfield |
| 28.10.48 |
Arrived at RAAF Laverton Vic for performance evaluation by ARDU
(Aircraft Research & Development Unit) on behalf of DCA |
11.11.48
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Pilot log: local flight Laverton, S/L Cuming and S/L Jim Rowland
|
| 12.11.48 |
Taken on charge by RAAF, "on loan from De Havilland Aircraft Pty
Ltd" |
19.11.48
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Pilot log: local flight Laverton, S/L Jim Rowland, observer Bill Downes
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23.11.48
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Local flight Laverton. S/L Jim Rowland formatted on Drover in RAAF Auster Mk.3
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17.12.48
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Pilot log: local flight Laverton, S/L Jim Rowland, observers Martin Warner and Mr. Fitchett
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19.12.48
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Pilot log: Laverton to Bankstown S/L Jim Rowland. Returned to DHA for Christmas period
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13.1.49
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Pilot log: Wagga-Laverton, S.L Jim Rowland, return to ARDU from DHA
|
| 23.6.49 |
Returned to De Havilland Aircraft on completion of tests by ARDU |
| 7.10.49 |
DHA quoted Delivery Date to Dept of Civil Aviation |
| 7.10.49 |
Weighed at Bankstown for load distribution calculations for issue
of normal category CofA |
| 10.10.49 |
VH-DHA at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney ready for handover to DCA |
| 10.10.49 |
Change of ownership: Department of Civil
Aviation, Melbourne Vic |
| 14.10.49 |
Normal category CofA issued |
| 15.10.49 |
Ferried Bankstown-Essendon Airport, Melbourne on delivery to DCA |
| 49/50 |
Based Essendon with DCA Flying Unit, all metallic finish. Operated
by the Flying Unit along with DC-3s, Avro Ansons and Tiger Moths
fitted with canopies. |
| .49 |
DCA reserved the registration VH-CAU in the Department's VH-CA
series, but the re-registration change was not carried out before
the aircraft's accident |
19.12.49
|
Flown
by Butler Air Transport chief pilot Captain Tom Young to evaluate
whether the DHA-3 was suitable to support their DC-3s on their NSW
country town network. BAT stayed with the much cheaper ex RAAF Avro Ansons.
|
| .50 |
DCA installed DH.104 Dove style teardrop ADF housing above the
cockpit on both their Drovers VH-DHA & BMU. |
|
TAA requested the loan of a DCA Drover for a trial to evaluate
scheduled freight services between Sydney and Melbourne. The trial
planned to fly 500 hours. VH-DHA was painted in TAA colour scheme
with name Clifford Peel, in honour of the Australian Flying
Corps pilot who first proposed a flying doctor service. Peel was
killed in action flying an RE8 in France on 19.9.18. |
| 15.11.50 |
Lease officially commenced to Trans Australia
Airlines, Melbourne. |
| 20.3.51 |
CofA renewed, still in service with TAA |
| .51 |
Returned to DCA, issued to DCA New Guinea Region, based at Port Moresby
|
| By 9.51 |
VH-DHA ferried from Melbourne to Port Moresby by DCA pilot Clarrie Hibbert |
| 16.4.52 |
Ditched in sea 100 miles from Wewak, New Guinea. During
an over-water flight from Wewak to Momote, Manus Island, part of a
blade of the port propeller sheared off in flight and penetrated the
cockpit. DCA pilot Clarrie R. Hibbert's foot was severely injured and
passenger DCA inspector Tom Drury pushed Hibbert aside to reach the controls to make a ditching. Drover sank. The three
occupants in an emergency dingy were rescued by a RAAF crash boat at
0230 hour next morning and after first light were transferred to Qantas
Catalina VH-EBD, which landed in a the lee of an island to collect them
and fly them to hospital in Port Moresby.
DCA acccident report: “At 1642 hours the port propeller, or a portion
of it, broke off. This struck and penetrated the fuselage, seriously
injuring the pilot and causing damage to the aircraft and its ancillary
systems, to the extent that both remaining engines failed. One of the
two passengers, also a pilot, took over the controls and successfully
ditched the aircraft in a position 175 Km south west of Momote.”
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Notes:
- This prototype did not
have a window in the cabin door, so had 3 windows on port side, and 4
on the starboard side. All other Drovers had 4 windows on each side.
- during prototype
testing, the wing engines were moved forward on lengthening engine mounts. This caused modifications to the design of the engine
nacelles.
- DCA fitted a DH.104
Dove style teardrop ADF housing above the cockpit to both their Drovers
VH-DHA & BMU. These were the only Drovers so fitted.
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Prototype
Drover at Bankstown during
1948.
John Hopton Collection
Painted as TAA’s Clifford Peel, at Mascot 1950, during TAA
freight service evaluation. Note the Dove style teardrop ADF housing
above
the
cockpit.
Neville Parnell collection
C/n
5002
Mk.1 Second prototype, Mk.1F,
Mk.2
VH-BMU, (VH-CAT), (G-APPP), VQ-FAD, VP-PAD
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Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5002 |
| .47 |
Ordered by Department of Civil Aviation,
Melbourne Vic |
| 24.12.48 |
DHA quoted construction date |
| 7.1.49 |
First flight Bankstown, fitted with wooden propellers |
|
Registration VH-BMU allocated. DCA delay issue of CofR and CofA |
| 2.2.49 |
Internal DCA memo: "No CofA yet issued because the aircraft
is to be used only for test flying. VH-BMU is yet to become the
property of this Department." |
| 49 |
Test flown from Bankstown by DHA conducting stress-analysis of
engine/propeller vibration. During these trials it was fitted for
a period with wooden propellers. |
| 22.12.49 |
Registered VH-BMU Department of
Civil Aviation, Melbourne Vic.
Based Essendon Airport with the DCA Flying Unit, along with DC-3s,
Avro Ansons and Tiger Moths. VH-BMU was based at Essendon during
its ten years with DCA |
| 22.12.49 |
CofA issued, fitted DH metal variable pitch propellers |
| 22.12.49 |
DHA quoted delivery date to DCA |
| .49 |
DCA reserved the registration VH-CAT in the Department's
VH-CA series, but for reasons not clear, the change of registration
was never carried out. |
| .50 |
DCA installed DH.104 Dove style teardrop ADF housing above the
cockpit on both their Drovers VH-DHA & BMU |
| 11.6.50 |
visited Broken Hill NSW airshow, all metallic, teardrop ADF housing |
| 19.12.50 |
Annual CofA renewed at Essendon. "Used for private and airwork
operations by this Department." |
| 24.1.51 |
Annual CofA renewal at Essendon |
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| .54 |
Type changed to Drover Mk..2 at Bankstown by DHA |
9.9.57
|
VH-BMU noted in DCA hangar at Essendon, all metallic finish
|
| 10.58 |
Negotiations began for sale to Air Navigation
and Trading Co Ltd, Blackpool.
(In 1.59 the company owner Mr. Russell L.
Whyham applied to the Air Transport Licencing Board for a
licence to commence a Blackpool-London airline service. It was reported
that the company had instructed DHA in Sydney to modify a suitable
Drover for airline use. When their route application was rejected,
the Drover order was cancelled, however the import of a second Drover
VH-EAS from Qantas did continue, finally delivered two years later
to become G-APXX. It never flew in England.) |
| 28.2.59 |
Mr. G. P. Truscott of Darwin NT wrote to DCA: he has purchased
in England a Fairchild 24W Argus G-AKFN, which he intends to have
flown to Australia on delivery to him. The aircraft will be registered on his behalf by Travelair Ltd,
London and he expects to have the Fairchild flown to Australia under
Australian registration by Mr. Whyham, who wishes to depart immediately.
The letter also mentioned that Mr. Whyham would pick up a Drover
in Australia and fly it back to UK.
In the event G-AKFN did not depart England until June 1959 with
a lady pilot, who had a series of misadventures and abandoned the
Fairchild at Beirut: see Fairchild listing in this series
|
| 3.59 |
Registration reserved: G-APPP Air Navigation
and Trading Co Ltd, Blackpool. |
| .59 |
VH-BMU delivered to DHA at Bankstown. Dismantled at Bankstown by DHA and packed for shipping to England
|
8.59
|
VH-BMU noted at Bankstown dismnatled in wooden box
|
| 9.59 |
British Registration reservation G-APPP cancelled. Not Taken Up.
|
| 30.12.59 |
Change of ownership: Bowden Air Transport,
Sydney NSW |
|
Veteran pilot Joseph H. Bowden
planned to use VH-BMU on a scheduled airline service
Sydney-Goulburn-Orange but DCA refused a licence, stating a twin-pilot
aircraft was required (forgetting TAA and Qantas use earlier that
decade) and runway improvements and extensions at Orange prior to
approving service. Bowden retained VH-BMU for general charter work from
Bankstown |
| 2.60 |
Illawarra
Flying School CFI Keith Robey was endorsed on VH-BMU at Bankstown by
Randy Green, then chief pilot of DHA. Robey then flew BMU on several
charter trips for Bowden Air Transport |
| 28.1.61 |
Drovers VH-BMU & AHZ participated with 20 other aircraft in
a Royal Aero Club of NSW flight from Bankstown to Coffs Harbour
NSW |
| 5.61 |
Six month lease to Lindeman Island Pty Ltd,
Mackay Qld while waiting for Lindeman's own Drover VH-ADN
to be delivered in 12.61. Flew up to 8 passengers and supplies from
Mackay to the resort island, several return trips a day, 30 minutes
each way. |
| 16.5.61 |
Inspected at Brisbane-Eagle Farm by Lachlan Nicolson, manager
of Lindeman Island, and Mr. Bob Norman of Bush Pilots Airways, Cairns
who helped Mr. Nicolson find the Drover. BPA fly passengers to Dunk
island from Cairns and Townsville. |
| 6.5.62 |
noted at Bankstown, white with blue trim, "Bowden Air Transport" titles. Also 30.8.62
|
| 10.1.63 |
noted at Bankstown, in Hawker De Havilland hangar |
| 5.4.63 |
noted at Bankstown, white with blue trim, "Bowden Air Transport" titles. Also 9.7.63
|
| 29.7.63 |
Change of ownership: Hawker De Havilland
Australia Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport NSW
HdeH were Beech agents, the Drover was traded in by Bowden on a
new Beechcraft. |
| 7.12.63 |
noted at Bankstown, white with blue trim, no titles. Also 9.1.64, 2.2.64, 9.2.64
|
|
Sale to New Hebrides Airways negotiated by Hawker De Havilland
|
| 4.7.64 |
Registered VQ-FAD New Hebrides Airways
Ltd, Port Vila, New Hebrides
New Hebrides did not have an Aircraft Register so Fiji authorities
agreed to inclusion on the Fijian Register |
| 10.7.64 |
noted at Bankstown, in HdeH hangar, repainted as VQ-FAD. New colour
scheme of overall white with light blue cheat line and two horizontal
stripes across the tail, registration between stripes. Inscription
"UMA" below crossed flags of Britain and France on the fin. |
| 14.7.64 |
Struck-off Australian Register, sold abroad |
| 14.7.64 |
Departed Bankstown on ferry flight to New Hebrides, pilots Brian
R. Walker and Warren Stewart. Passenger seats removed for the delivery
flight, carried two 44 gallon drums of fuel in the cabin. |
| 19.7.64 |
arrived Port Vila on delivery |
| 7.8.64 |
On its second flight for New Hebrides Airways, crashed on landing
at Aniwa Island when struck a stump hidden by grass. 5 feet of the
right wing was torn off and general damage. Pilot Brian Walker
was unhurt. Walker had not landed on the prepared strip due inadequate
briefing, |
| c9.64 |
Severed wing section was spliced back by a team from Hawker De
Havilland flown in from Bankstown. After repairs, VQ-FAD was flown
out of Aniwa Island to Tanna Island by Chief Pilot Paul Burton |
| c9.64 |
On landing at Tanna Island, ran off runway when aircraft ground-looped
due to the port wheel brake binding. Stopped in bush alongside the
strip with the freshly repaired starboard wing again badly damaged
plus fuselage damage. Again repaired on site by the Hawker De Havilland
team. |
| 1.6.66 |
Registered VP-PAD New Hebrides Airways
Ltd, Port Vila
(Transferred to the newly established New Hebrides Civil Aircraft
Register) |
| 21.10.66 |
Crashed in gorge Tanna Island, New Hebrides.
Disappeared on a flight from Lenakel airfield on Tanna Island to
Futuna Island. The wreck was located three days later by air search at
the bottom of a gorge on the slopes of Mount Tokugmera on Tanna,
completely demolished and burnt out. All 8 occupants were killed,
including the airline's Chief Pilot and Operations Manager, Paul H.
Burton |
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Total airframe time: 1,853 hours
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VH-BMU and VH-DHA at the De Havilland factory at Bankstown in
early 1949.
John Hopton Collection
Broken Hill NSW in June 1950, after the teardrop ADF housing was
installed.
John Hopton Collection
VH-BMU at Bankstown in July 1963 with Bowden Air Transport.
Photo by Greg Banfield
Bankstown February 1964, no titles, soon to leave for the New
Hebrides.
Photo by Barney B. Deatrick
VQ-FAD at Port Vila, New Hebrides in July 1964 after delivery from Sydney.
Photo Brian R. Walker, via Neville Parnell
VQ-FAD & VQ-FAS at Port Vila, July 1964.
Photo: Brian Walker via Neville Parnell collection
C/n
5003
Mk.1
G-ALLK, VH-EBQ
50
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5003 |
|
First production Drover |
|
Planned to be delivered to the parent DH company for a sales drive
in Britain and Europe. However production was so delayed it was
diverted to Qantas to be the first of their order for 7 new Drovers
|
| 31.3.49 |
Registered G-ALLK De Havilland Aircraft
Co Ltd, Hatfield UK. Not imported. Registration cancelled
16.10.50 |
| 1.9.50 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 13.9.50 |
Registered VH-EBQ Qantas Empire Airways
Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 13.9.50 |
CofA issued. Fitted with 12 folding passenger seats which could
be easily removed for cargo use. |
| 13.9.50 |
DHA quoted delivery date to Qantas |
9.50
|
Ferried from Sydney to Lae. where QEA will base all its Drovers on QEA New Guinea Internal Services
|
| 6.1.51 |
DCA Aircraft inspection report: total flying time 183 hours |
| mid 51 |
Ferried from New Guinea to Bankstown for maintenance including
modification of the windscreen wipers to improve their effectiveness |
| 16.7.51 |
Crashed in sea off Lae, New Guinea.
While operating a scheduled airline service from Wau to Bulolo and
Lae, crashed in Huon Gulf, 4 miles south of Lae Aerodrome while
attempting to land at Lae in low clkoud and rain. Captain J. W. Spiers
and 6 passengers were killed.
DCA Accident report: “The aircraft
departed Bulolo at 0835 hours local time with one pilot and six
passengers. 31 Minutes later the pilot reported over the mouth of the
Markham River, about three minutes out from Lae Aerodrome. At this time
there was continuous rain in the area with visibillity at the aerodrome
reduced to two miles. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft and
pieces of wreckage and two bodies were recovered from the sea south fo
Lae at noon the same day. There were no survivors.”
|
|
The
initial finding of investigation by DCA and QEA was pilot error in that
Spiers continued the VFR flight into reduced visibility in low cloud
and rain. The wreckage salvaged inckluded the centre propeller which
was missing blade. This was assumed to be caused by impact with
the sea.
However after the ditchibng of VH-DHA 16.4.52, renewed Investigation
revealed that the missing centre propeller blade had suffered
structural failure and broke away in flight, causing the engine to pull
out of its mountings and the pilot to lost control and the aircraft
struck the sea.
|
| 5.5.52 |
Struck-off Register |
VH-EBQ in Qantas service in New Guinea circa
1951.
Photo: Ben Dannecker collection
The wing of VH-EBQ salvaged from the sea off the New Guinea
coast.
Greg Banfield collection
C/n
5004
Mk.1, Mk.1F, Mk.2, Mk.3,
Mk.3B
Allan
Vickers
\ VH-DRA, (VH-FDQ), VP-PAG
| 50 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5004 |
|
First of 6 Drovers ordered by Trans Australia Airlines for supplementary
routes and to replace DH.84 Dragons on Flying Doctor Service contracts
held by TAA in Queensland |
| 5.12.50 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 15.12.50 |
Registered VH-DRA Trans Australia
Airlines, Brisbane Qld |
| 15.12.50 |
CofA issued. 7 passenger seats, reduced to 6 seats if removable
toilet compartment is installed |
| 16.12.50 |
DHA quoted delivery date to TAA. TAA records also quote this as acceptance date
|
| 17.12.50 |
Handover ceremony at Bankstown and christened with name by Dr.
Allan Vickers of the Flying Doctor Service of Australia. |
| 19.12.50 |
Commenced flying TAA Townsville-Cairns passenger services, replacing
TAA Lockheed Lodestars. |
| 3.51 |
Took up residence at Charleville Qld, operating TAA western Queensland
services and the Charleville base Flying Doctor Service contract,
replacing a TAA DH.84 Dragon. Drover maintenance by TAA and flown
by TAA pilots. |
3.51
|
VH-DRA flew the first Drover survey 7 day flight along the TAA Channel Country Service route from Charleville to Leigh Creek SA: 3,500 miles, with stops at 30 towns and properties.
Captain
Barry Bell, carrying a Shell Oil Company representative and TAA
personnel, including TAA Queensland Senior Route Captain C. H. Gray.
|
15.4.51
|
Pilot log: VH-DRA departed Charleville for Channel Service, Captains W.D.”Blue” Young and John Rosenberg
|
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| .54 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA
|
| 4.56 |
Damaged at Charleville Qld
(not included in 1956 DCA Annual
Survey of Aircraft Accidents)
|
| 1.7.59 |
Change of ownership: Royal Flying Doctor
Service (Queensland Section).
Continued to be operated on contract by TAA, retained name Allan
Vickers |
| 6.60 |
Modification to Drover Mk.3 standard under way by DHA at Bankstown,
the second to be converted to Lycoming engines. |
| 3.10.60 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3 after
re-engining with Lycomings at Bankstown |
| 10.60 |
Re-delivered to RFDS (Queensland Section) |
| c62 |
Allocated registration VH-FDQ with other RFDS (Queensland)
Drovers when changed to the VH-FD series.
The change had not been
officially actioned before it was damaged in 1965. However this
aircraft was referred to as VH-FDQ in RFDS and TAA records and also
the aircraft's log books. |
| 19.4.65 |
Damaged in Charleville area Qld Details unknown. Described in a DHA listing as “an after-landing accident” |
| 20.4.65 |
VH-DRA struck-off Register at owner's request |
| 65 |
Retired in RFDS hangar at Charleville Qld, later dismantled |
| 67 |
Stored dismantled in RFDS hangar at Charleville, registration
repainted on the tail as "VH-FDQ" |
| 12.67 |
Moved by truck from Charleville to Brisbane-Eagle Farm Airport
in early December. Painted as VH-FDQ on tail. Rebuilt by TAA |
| 11.12.67 |
Propeller log book: Drover FDQ: propellers replaced |
| 12.67 |
Rolled-out on reassembly at Brisbane, VH-FDQ on tail |
| 19.12.67 |
noted at Brisbane, parked outside TAA hangar, complete but registration
painted over |
| 21.12.67 |
Airframe log "VH-FDQ": inspection for reissue of CofA |
| 21.12.67 |
Ferried Brisbane-Bankstown, no registration. Airframe log "VH-FDQ":
4 hrs 40 mins |
| 1.68 |
Modified to Drover Mk.3B by Hawker
De Havilland Australia at Bankstown at their military overhaul facility. |
| 17.2.68 |
noted at Bankstown, at Hawker De Havilland military hangars, painted
as "VP-PAG" |
| 24.2.68 |
Registered as Drover Mk.3B VP-PAG New
Hebrides Airways Ltd, Port Vila, operating as Air Melanesiae
|
| 28.2.68 |
noted at Bankstown, flying
|
| 3.3.68 |
VP-PAG noted at Bankstown "Air Melanesiae"
titles.
|
| 4.3.68 |
Departed Bankstown on ferry flight to New Hebrides, pilot Barry
Davis. Routed via Noumea, New Caledonia |
| 3.68 |
Entered airline service with Air Melanesiae |
| 68 |
Logs record flights almost every day |
| 30.11.68 |
Crashed landing Longana, New Hebrides. Ran off runway due
brake failure, badly damaged. 9 passengers, no serious injuries.
Aircraft written off. |
|
Dismantled and stripped for parts at Longana |
| 5.69 |
Struck-off Register |
| 86 |
the stripped fuselage wreck still at Longana |
|
Bob Paul, founder of New Hebrides Airways wrote in 1986: "VP-PAG
was a Mk.3B we purchased from the RFDS. Brake failure on a one-way
strip at Sola, Longana, the aircraft ran off the strip and undercarriage
wiped off and severe structural damage to the aircraft. It was abandoned.
Nine passengers were aboard but no serious injuries." |
VH-DRA with polished metal during TAA acceptance at Bankstown, 16
December
1950. John Hopton Collection
VH-DRA
at Cairns later in December 1950. Note the spinners of the orginal
V-P propellers, and the muffler cuff
under the
centre engine to provide cabin
heating.
Ben Dannecker collection
TAA's VH-DRA in a 1950s outback Queensland
scene.
Geoff Goodall collection
Bankstown March 1968. Now a Drover Mk.3B, ready for delivery to Air Melanesiae as VP-PAG. Photo by Peter Ricketts
C/n
5005
Mk.1, Mk.1F,
Mk.2
VH-EBR, VQ-FAO
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5005 |
|
Second of 7 Drovers ordered by Qantas Empire Airways to be based
in New Guinea |
| 12.3.51 |
Propeller log: propeller fitted to Gipsy Majors installed in Drover 5005 on production
line |
| 3.4.51 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 9.4.51 |
Registered VH-EBR Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney NSW
|
| 9.4.51 |
CofA issued |
| 11.4.51 |
Log book: Acceptance test flight Bankstown, QEA pilot Captain
R.J. Ritchie, then ferried Bankstown-Mascot same day. All flights
listed below from VH-EBR Airframe Log Book |
| 11.4.51 |
DHA quoted delivery date to Qantas |
| 20.4.51 |
Flight over Sydney for Qantas public relations photographs, Captain
L. W. Purkiss |
| 7.5.51 |
Departed Sydney on ferry flight to TPNG where based with QEA New Guinea Internal Services |
| 9.5.51 |
Arrived Port Moresby |
21.8.52
|
Departed Brisbane on return to Lae after annual CofA renewal overhaul by Qantas at Brisbane-Eagle Farm Airport.
QEA Air Safety Incident Report: The pilot, First Officer M.F. J.
Stammer experienced periods of rough running on all three engines
during each leg north via Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville. TAA
engineers inspected the engines at Townsville, but problem re-occurred
inbound to Cairns. Replacement fuel pumps were sent from Brisbane and
installed by TAA at Cairns. Reached Lae 28.8.52
|
1.9.52
|
QEA
Air Safety Incident Report: brake failure when taxying on tarmac at
Qantas terminal at Lae Aerodrome, no damage. QEA First Officer J. C.
Johnstone
|
3.9.52
|
QEA
Air Safety Incident Report: During a flight Lae to Madang, VH-EBR
made a precautionary landing en route due weather. No damage.
Pilot F/O M. F. J. Stammer, with 7 passengers
|
10.9.52
|
Diverted
for emergency landing at Banz PNG due smoke from centre engine, while
enroute Madang to Mount Hagen on a charter flight. No airframe damage,
QEA First Officer J. J. McKee, no passengers. Investigation found that
the smoke was caused by overheating of the propeller gearbox.
|
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| .53 |
Modified to Drover Mk..2 by De Havilland
Aircraft at Bankstown. During the work, DHA installed a redesigned
cockpit at Qantas request, intended to improve pilot visibility
during landing approach to New Guinea highlands airstrips. The cockpit
roof was raised, windscreen and cockpit side windows heightened
and widened. This was the only Drover fitted with this enlarged
windscreen design. |
| .53 |
Performance trials of the Drover Mk.2 for DCA
certification were conducted with VH-EBR at RAAF Laverton Vic by
RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). |
| .53 |
Returned to Qantas service in New Guinea |
| 12.11.53 |
Log: Local flying Lae, Captain T. E. W. Howes. Also 14.11.53
|
| 10.2.54 |
Lae-Bulolo-Wau-Lae, Captain M. F. J. Stammer |
| 11.2.54 |
Departed Lae on ferry flight to Sydney, Captain D. A. O'Malley.
CofA renewal at DHA |
| 6.4.54 |
Bankstown-Mascot, Captain Stammer |
| .54 |
Qantas withdrew Drovers from New Guinea service, offered them
to Fiji Airways to replace DH.89 Rapides. Qantas had a financial
interest in Fiji Airways. |
| 11.6.54 |
Sold to Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva, Fiji |
| 6.54 |
Shipped from Sydney to Fiji in a wooden shipping crate. |
|
Assembled at Nausori Airport, Suva. Aircraft in Qantas paint scheme.
Repainted to Fiji Airways markings |
| 15.7.54 |
Registered as Drover Mk.2 VQ-FAO Katafanga
Estates Ltd, trading as Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva |
| 8.54 |
Entered service with Fiji Airways |
| 28.8.54 |
Forced landing on Teilau Reef, Bau Island, Fiji.
On a scheduled flight Savusavu-Suva, all engines lost power due to an
air lock in a fuel line after switching between fuel tanks while
cruising at 2,500 feet. Forced landing on a sandbar on a coral
reef, undercarriage torn away. Captain Fred Ladd and 7 passengers
unhurt. All were rescued by local natives in canoes. The incoming
tide swamped the aircraft with salt water.
|
| 8.54 |
Aircraft salvaged by barge from reef and taken to Nausori Airport
for inspection.
Written off due salt water immersion. Stripped for parts. |
| 31.8.54 |
VH-EBR struck-off Australian Register |
| 23.11.54 |
Struck-off Fiji Register |
| 4.59 |
Fuselage section seen dumped near Nausori Airport, Suva |
Brand new VH-EBR at Mascot in April 1951, before
heading for New
Guinea.
Ben Dannecker collection
VH-EBR as a Mk.2 with redesigned cockpit windows, at RAAF Laverton
during performance trials in 1953. Ben
Dannecker collection
VQ-FAO at Nausori Airport, Suva, Fiji with Fiji Airways
Chief Pilot Fred Ladd (right) and Chief Engineer Len Dobbin (left).
Photo by R. Furness.
Pacific
Islands Monthly, September 1954, courtesy Roger McDonald
VQ-FAO’s
fuselage section dumped at Suva, April
1959.
Photo by Gordon Clear via SA Aviation Museum
C/n
5006
Mk.1, Mk.1F, Mk.2,
Mk.3
John Flynn
VH-DRB, VH-FDR
| .51 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5006 |
|
Second of 6 Drovers ordered by Trans Australia Airlines for supplementary
routes and to replace DH.84 Dragons on Flying Doctor Service contracts
held by TAA in Queensland |
| 4.6.51 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 6.6.51 |
TAA acceptance date from DHA |
| 20.6.51 |
CofA issued, DH metal variable-pitch propellers |
| 25.6.51 |
Registered VH-DRB Trans Australia
Airlines, Melbourne Vic
Operated for Flying Doctor Service
of Australia, initially based Charleville Qld
|
| 26.6.51 |
Ferried Bankstown-Sydney Airport-Coffs Harbour-Brisbane, TAA Captain
W. D. Young |
| 27.6.51 |
Publicity flying at Brisbane |
| 28.6.51 |
Ferried Brisbane-Charleville Qld by Captain Young, to be based
Charleville for the Flying Doctor Service contract. Replaced a TAA
Dragon. |
| 29.6.51 |
DHA quoted delivery date to TAA . Named John Flynn |
| 17.7.52 |
Annual CofA renewal at Brisbane-Eagle Farm |
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| .54 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA |
| 1.7.59 |
Change of ownership: Royal Flying Doctor
Service (Queensland Section)
Flown by RFDS pilots but maintenance continued on contract by TAA,
retained name John Flynn |
| 31.7.59 |
TAA "disposal date" to RFDS |
| 1.61 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3 after
re-engining with Lycomings at Bankstown |
| 23.10.61 |
Airframe log: maintenance at Charleville |
| 9.62 |
Airframe
log: major overhaul at Brisbane-Eagle Farm Airport by TAA.
Indicates that it was repainted as VH-FDR during this maintenance |
| 21.9.62 |
Test flown at Eagle Farm after maintenance |
| 1.10.62 |
Officially reegistered VH-FDR |
| 5.1.66 |
Crashed on takeoff, Thargomindah Qld. Captain K. Killen and 2 passengers unhurt.
DCA accident report: “Take off was
abandoned when, in moderate quartering wind, the pilot was unable to
maintain directional control. The aircraft moved sideways off the strip
and both undercarriage struts were torn away after striking rocks.”
|
| 4.8.66 |
Struck-off Register at owner's request |
|
Stored dismantled in RFDS hangar at Charleville Qld. Fuselage
and wings appeared to be in generally good condition, RFDS paint scheme, name John
Flynn |
| 15.5.73 |
VH-FDR noted at Charleville, dismantled in RFDS hangar |
| .75 |
Sold for spare parts to Tangalooma Air
Taxis, Brisbane Qld
To provide parts to maintain their airworthy Drover VH-AZS |
| .75 |
Moved by road from Charleville to Brisbane. Reported at the time
that it had been purchased for spares by previous owner of VH-AZS
Laurie A. Cheras, Brisbane |
| 2.76 |
Dismantled airframe of VH-FDR Included in the sale of VH-AZS to
Partenavia agents Forrestair Pty Ltd, Melbourne
when traded on a new Partenavia P68. |
| 2.76 |
Forrestair had already on-sold VH-AZS (with VH-FDR) to Joe
Drage trading as Drage's Historic Aircraft Museum, Wodonga Vic |
| 12.77 |
Dismantled airframe acquired by Ross Stephens,
Brisbane Qld.
Stripped fuselage and wings moved from storage in Brisbane to his
house at 19 Idona Street, Aspley where stored dismantled in his
back yard as a playhouse for his children |
| 23.12.79 |
Acquired from Stephens by Queensland Air
Museum, Brisbane, later Caloundra Qld
Airframe had no tailplane, undercarriage, engines and cowlings.
Exchanged for a child's play aeroplane constructed by QAM member
David Bussey |
| 13.9.80 |
Fuselage and wings moved by truck to QAM's temporary storage area
at Brisbane Airport |
| 18.1.85 |
One of the wings was blown 100 metres by a severe storm, severely
damaged |
| 23.2.86 |
Fuselage and wings moved by road from Brisbane Airport to new
QAM site at Caloundra Airport, Queensland |
| 4.4.87 |
fuselage displayed inside new QAM hangar during opening ceremony.
The fuselage was painted as RFDS VH-FDR John Flynn. |
| 09 |
Fuselage displayed in QAM hangar, cabin door open for inspection,
now has tailplane and recently fitted with a Gipsy Major nose engine
and cowlings.
The damaged wings were stored in the open in the adjacent museum
compound |
|
Fuselage currently displayed at QAM
|
VH-DRB "John Flynn" in original TAA markings departs Brisbane-Eagle Farm Airport during the early 1950s.
Ben Dannecker collection
VH-DRB with RFDS titles and TAA emblem below
the
cockpit.
Ben Dannecker collection
VH-FDR
displayed at Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra in
2009.
Photo by Ron Cuskelly
C/n
5007
Mk.1, Mk.1F, Mk.2,
Mk.3
Norman Bourke, Lady Elza
VH-DRC, VH-FDS
| 51 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5007 |
|
Third of 6 Drovers ordered by Trans Australia Airlines for supplementary
routes and to replace DH.84 Dragons on Flying Doctor Service contracts
held by TAA in Queensland |
| 8.8.51 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 10.8.51 |
TAA delivery date from DHA. TAA acceptance flying by Captain Ross
Crabbe |
| 14.8.51 |
Registered VH-DRC Trans
Australia Airlines, Melbourne Vic
Operated for Flying Doctor Service of Australia,
initially based Cloncurry Qld |
| 14.8.51 |
CofA issued |
| 10.8.51 |
Named Norman Bourke in ceremony at Brisbane Airport attended
by Mr. Norman Bourke, President of Flying Doctor Service of Australia
(Queensland Section) |
| 22.8.51 |
Entered service at Cloncurry on TAA scheduled airline services
to Queensland Gulf Country and FDS clnic runs to towns and properties,
as well as occasional emergency medical evacuation flights. Crewed
and maintained by TAA. Replaced a TAA Dragon. |
| 16.2.52 |
Damaged at "Alcala" Homestead, Queensland. Repairs completed 27.2.52 |
| 5.8.52 |
Annual CofA renewal at Brisbane-Eagle Farm |
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| .54 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA
|
| 5.54 |
Base changed from Cloncurry to Charters Towers Qld |
| 31.7.59 |
Change of ownership: Royal Flying Doctor
Service (Queensland Section)
Continued to be operated on contract by TAA, retained name Norman
Bourke |
| .61 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3 after
re-engining with Lycomings by DHA at Bankstown |
| 10.9.63 |
Reregistered VH-FDS |
| 1.9.64 |
VH-FDS noted at Charters Towers, based here with RFDS |
| 20.10.65 |
noted Brisbane Airport, having maintenance by TAA |
| 11.67 |
noted Brisbane Airport |
| 14.5.68 |
Tipped on nose in soft ground at Wyandra Qld, damaging propellers.
Props removed 23.5.68 |
| 8.7.68 |
noted Brisbane Airport, having maintenance by TAA |
| 17.7.68 |
noted Brisbane Airport in TAA hangar |
| 8.68 |
Retired by RFDS due replacement by Beech Queenairs |
| 5.9.68 |
Change of ownership: Hawker De Havilland
(Australia) Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport NSW
Traded in to Beech agents Hawker De Havilland on replacement RFDS Beech
Queen Air |
| 8.9.68 |
noted Brisbane Airport, parked outside TAA hangars, RFDS scheme
and titles |
| 16.9.68 |
Ferried Brisbane-Bankstown on delivery to Hawker De Havilland |
| 21.9.68 |
noted at Bankstown, parked outside HdeH hangar, RFDS scheme and
titles |
| 24.10.68 |
VH-FDS & FDT noted at Bankstown, outside HdeH hangar, RFDS
scheme and titles |
| 3.11.68 |
VH-FDS & FDT noted at Bankstown unmoved, also 16.11.68 |
| 7.69 |
Change of ownership: Murchison Air Services
Pty Ltd, Perth Airport WA |
| 25.7.69 |
Arrived Perth Airport on delivery flight from Bankstown, still
RFDS scheme and titles |
| 27.7.69 |
Murchison pilot Harry O’Neil was endorsed on type at Perth
Airport by Ted Shaw |
| 29.7.69 |
noted at Perth Airport in Murchison hangar having RFDS paintwork removed
|
| 29.7.69 |
noted at Perth Airport being repainted bronze and white with red fin adorned with stars of
the Southern Cross, no titles |
|
Former Murchison Air Service pilot Frank Scholmann describes his 350 hours flying time on VH-FDS in 1969-70:
"Following my endorsement on FDS at Perth in August 1969 there were some local flights and to Rottnest Island.
By the end of August the company prepared the Drover for low-level survey contracts. It
had a low cruising speed of 100 knots and enough cabin space to install
various detection instruments. A radar altimeter was fitted for contour
flying at 300 to 500 feet and a magnetometer loop aerial ran from one
wingtip to the other and to the tailplane. Because GPS was yet to be
invented, a Super 8 movie camera pointed vertically to the ground was
recording terrain for later matching with the recorded data.
As the Drover only had the single seat cockpit, a navigator was
positioned behind the pilot at the entrance bulkhead using a variety of
maps to follow predetermined tracks. I
was the survey pilot for these operations, all conducted within WA.
Most flights took place in the very early morning because after 9am it
became too turbulent at low level, especially around Marble Bar and
east of Wiluna .By July 1970 FDS and I were back at Perth on RPT runs to Rottnest Island and some charters."
|
10.69
|
noted at Perth Airport, Murchison Air Services bronze and white paint scheme but no titles.
|
| 7.70 |
Titles "Southern Airlines" painted on at Perth Airport. Joined
Southern Airlines, an associate company
of Murchison Air Services formed to operate commuter airline routes
to WA country towns, commencing with Piper Aztec and Navajo aircraft |
| 7.70 |
VH-FDS commenced flying scheduled Southern Airlines services from
Perth Airport to Rottnest Island, off Perth, along with Piper Navajos |
| 10.70 |
Titles "Murchison" replaced "Southern Airlines". Murchison Air
Services took over the scheduled airline services previously flown
under Southern Airlines' name. |
| 10.70 |
Murchison introduced a promotional Mur-bird Club on the
short Rottnest island run, and painted the Drover with Mur-bird
motif. Up to 8 return services a day, majority flown by the
Drover. |
| 8.3.71 |
Struck a ground power unit on parking apron at Perth Airport when
brakes failed after a flight from Rottnest Island. Significant damage.
Repair delayed due lack of spare parts. |
| 5.7.71 |
Murchison Air Services taken over by Trans-West
Air Charter Pty Ltd, Perth WA |
| 7.71 |
VH-FDS repairs completed, parked near MAS/TWAC hangar at Perth
Airport |
| 22.8.71 |
Flew a charter Perth-Rottnest Island-Perth, first flight since
repairs completed |
|
Flew charters for TWAC and only occasional Rottnest scheduled
services |
| 24.1.72 |
Last flight with TWAC, a charter Perth-Rottnest Island-Perth |
| 29.1.72 |
VH-FDS noted at Jandakot Airport, parked away from the TWAC hangar
with other MAS/TWAC aircraft Cessna 310s VH-REK, DKY, and Navajo
VH-RTO. All retired. |
| 5.2.72 |
noted at Jandakot, unmoved |
| 23.2.72 |
flew Jandakot-Perth Airport-Jandakot |
| 28.2.72 |
Change of ownership: Air-Rep Service Pty
Ltd, Perth WA.
(Air Rep Service had been operated for some years by veteran WA
bush pilot John Collins with single-engined Cessnas. He delivered
orders for household goods and hardware to remote properties and
towns in the north of WA) |
| 16.3.72 |
Undercarriage damaged when struck a concrete tie-down block taxying
at Mount Goldsworthy WA. |
| 4.5.72 |
Flew Sandstone-Perth after repairs |
| 8.5.72 |
During maintenance at Jandakot, titles "Air Rep Service" were
applied, with name Lady Elza |
| 13.11.72 |
noted at Meekatharra WA. Aircraft now has titles "Air Rep Service
Pty Ltd WA" |
| 14.11.72 |
Forced landing on mud flats at South Hedland, due fuel expiry
while inbound to Port Hedland from Mount Tom Price mine, pilot John
Collins. No damage. A strip was bulldozed later that day and Collins
flew FDS to Port Hedland Airport. |
| 21.11.72 |
noted at Roebourne WA. John Collins landed with a local delivery
carrying a load of parcels and goods, including potted palms strapped
into passenger seats. |
|
regularly flown from Perth Airport to northern localities |
| 7.5.73 |
Ferried Perth Airport to Jandakot for storage pending sale by
Air Rep Service |
| 3.6.73 |
noted at Jandakot |
| 15.6.73 |
noted at Jandakot |
| 6.73 |
Sold to James Luck and associates, Smithton Tasmania
(Change of ownership not recorded in Civil Register) |
| 26.6.73 |
Ferried Jandakot-Perth Airport for new owner. |
| 27.6.73 |
Departed Perth Airport for Kalgoorlie WA on ferry flight to Tasmania |
| 30.6.73 |
Arrived Adelaide-Parafield en route to Tasmania, still Air-Rep Services titles. Departed next
day. |
| 7.73 |
Operated for the new owner by Island Aviation
Pty Ltd, Smithton Tas.
(The Drover was purchased to carry mutton birds from Trefoil Island
to Smithton for processing. Island Aviation were experienced in
carrying mutton birders and their catch between islands off northern
Tasmania coast, landing on rough strips and beaches with Austeqrs then single-engined Cessnas) |
| 30.7.73 |
Crashed on landing Trefoil Island, Tasmania.
Pilot/Operator C. K. Powles was arriving on a flight from Smithton to
collect a load of frozen mutton birds from the island. He and one
passenger were not injured. DCA accident report:
“On landing at Trefoil
Island the aircraft swung to starboard and ran off the grass strip.
Both main wheels dropped into mutton bird burrows and were torn off and
there was further substantial damage to the airframe and engine
installations. Pilot and one passenger uninjured.”
|
| 8.73 |
Engines, cowlings and propellers removed and usable parts stripped
from the aircraft on the island. The remainder left where it came
to rest on its belly in high grass beside the airstrip |
.73
|
Jim Luck purchased the stripped hulk from insurance company for token $5.
|
| 14.9.73 |
Struck-off Civil Register |
| 10.73 |
noted on Trefoil Island, on belly in grass off the airstrip, Engines
and parts removed. |
| .79 |
Purchased "as is" for $300 from Jim Luck by a group of Wynyard Aero Club members.
|
10.79
|
Wings
dismantled and moved from Trefoil Island on board an old Army Duck
amphibious vehicle. Unloaded at Woolnorth on northern coast of
Tasmania, then transported to Wynyard on a timber logging truck.
|
81
|
Stored
in a village hall at Calder, 3 miles from Wynyard Airport Tas. The
group planned to restore the Drover for static display as an RFDS
aircraft at Wynyard Airport.
|
| 81 |
Stored in a village hall at Cader, 3 miles from Wynyard Airport
Tas. The group planned to restore the Drover for static display
in TAA colour scheme at Wynyard Airport. |
| 5.82 |
Little work carried out on the airframe so far due lack of parts
and finances. |
|
Acquired as a restoration project by Mark
Clayton, Sydney NSW.
Airframe stored at Dedington Tas |
| 5.9.89 |
Donated by Mark Clayton to Queensland Air
Museum, Caloundra Airport Qld |
| 28.2.90 |
Hulk of VH-FDS arrived dismantled at Caloundra |
| 7.07 |
Restoration began at QAM. Fuselage paintwork removed to reveal
RFDS titles. |
| 12.09 |
Fuselage recently mounted on wings, standing on undercarriage,
Painted in white and silver RFDS scheme as VH-FDS. Parked in open
in QAM compound at museum |
|
Current at QAM. |
VH-DRC at Augustus Downs Station
Qld.
Ben Dannecker collection
Rebuilt as
a Mk.3 VH-FDS, at Bankstown November
1968.
John Hopton Collection
VH-FDS with Murchison Air Services at Beverley WA in November 1970. Bronze and white with red Southern Cross tail.
Photo by Geoff Goodall
Now
with Air-Rep Service, seen at Perth Airport in December
1972.
Photo by Geoff Goodall
Engines removed then abandoned, Trefoil
Island, Tasmania, October
1973.
Photo by Mike Madden
VH-FDS being paint-stripped at Queensland
Air Museum, January
2008.
Photo by Ron Cuskelly
The previous RFDS paintwork under the bronze
and white, January
2008.
Photo by Ron Cuskelly
C/n
5008
Mk1, Mk.1F,
Mk.2
VH-EBS, VQ-FAQ
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5008 |
|
Third of 7 Drovers ordered by Qantas Empire Airways, to be based
in New Guinea |
| 14.9.51 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 19.9.51 |
CofA issued |
| 19.9.51 |
Registered VH-EBS Qantas Empire Airways
Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 28.9.51 |
DHA quoted delivery date to QEA. Qantas records record same date for acceptance |
| 29.10.51 |
Departed Sydney on delivery to Lae, where based with QEA New Guinea Internal Services |
9.9.52
|
Departed Lae for Brisbane for annual CofA renewal inspection. Captain Rex B.Cuthbertson
Routed via Daru, Horn Island, Iron Range, Cooktown, Cairns, Toownsville, Mackay
|
11.9.52
|
A
blade of the centre propeller flew off during engine run-up on the
runway at Mackay Qld prior to takeoff. The engine was pulled out of its
mountings and hung down held by the two bottom struts.
|
| .52 |
Centre engine replaced and airframe damage repaired at Mackay. Then flown to Brisbane |
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| 10.2.53 |
Annual CofA renewal at Brisbane-Eagle farm. Total time 593 hrs |
| 13.3.53 |
Pilot Log: Lae-Bulolo-Lae, Captain T. E. W. Howes |
| 1.54 |
Pilot Log: daily flying in New Guinea |
| .54 |
Type changed to Drover Mk..2 at Bankstown by DHA |
| 13.5.54 |
Pilot Log: Departed Lae on ferry to Sydney for retirement, Captain Tom Howes:
Lae to Malalaua, Horn island, Iron Range, Cooktown, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Sydney
|
| 16.5.54 |
Arrived Mascot Airport, Sydney. Retired from service |
| .54 |
Qantas
negotiated the sale of the Drovers it was withdrawing from New Guinea
service to Fiji Airways to replace their DH.89 Rapides.
Qantas later purchased a financial interest in Fiji Airways. |
| 15.10.54 |
Struck-off Australian Register, sold to Fiji. Total airframe time 1154 hours |
| 15.10.54 |
Sold to Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva |
.54
|
Packed in two wooden crates and shipped from Sydney to Fiji |
|
Assembled by Fiji Airways at Nausori Airport, Suva. Aircraft in
Qantas paint scheme. Repainted to Fiji Airways markings |
| 11.1.55 |
Registered as Mk.2 VQ-FAQ Katafanga
Estates Ltd trading as Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva |
| 30.12.55 |
Crashed Wainivatumbuso Gorge, near Nasauvere, Fiji. Captain
Brian McCook was badly injured, carrying no passengers on a flight
from Nausori Airport, Suva to Nadi International Airport. Took off
at 7.56am and not seen again. |
|
McCook reported that his right wing struck a tree while flying
low across the Gorge. To avoid crashing nose in, he pulled the nose
up steeply and hit the edge of the gorge tail first. Bleeding heavily
from gashes to his face and legs, he walked through dense undergrowth
until found by a native out pig hunting. Air search by another Drover
and RNZAF aircraft. Ground parties came by boat and McCook was moved
to hospital on a boat. |
| 11.4.56 |
Struck-off Fijian Register |
VH-EBS
has its Gipsy Major engines run up at Brisbane-Eagle Farm Airport in
1953.
Photo by Gus Grulke
C/n
5009
Mk.1, Mk.1F, Mk.2
Angus Nicolson
VH-EBT, VQ-FAP, VH-ADN
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5009 |
|
Fourth of 7 Drovers ordered by Qantas Empire Airways to be based
in New Guinea |
| 25.10.51 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 31.10.51 |
CofA issued |
| 31.10.51 |
Registered VH-EBT Qantas Empire Airways
Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 1.11.51 |
DHA quoted delivery date to QEA. Qantas records give same date for acceptance |
11.51
|
Delivered from Sydney to Lae, where based with QEA New Guinea Internal Services
|
| 21.7.52 |
Pilot log: QEA Captain M. Stammer endorsed on type at Lae by Captain W. Forgan-Smith |
2.8.52
|
QEA
Air Safety Incident Report: Emergency landing at Banz PNG when centre
engine failed immediately after takeoff. QEA First Officer J.C.
Johnstone was operating Lae to Goroka, Banz, Goroka, Banz, Goroka,
Banz, Mount Hagen.
No damage.
|
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| 17.12.53 |
Pilot Log: flying from Lae |
| 22.12.53 |
Pilot Log: Lae to Wau, Bulolo, Lae: Captain T. E. W. Howes. He flew same route 26.12.53, 28.12.53 |
29.12.53
|
Pilot Log: Lae to Finschhafen, Wau, Bulolo, Lae: Captain Howes
|
| 26.1.54 |
Pilot Log: Finschafen to Wau, Bulolo, Lae: Captain Howes
|
| .54 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA |
| .54 |
Qantas negotiated the sale of the Drovers it was withdrawing from New
Guinea service to Fiji Airways to replace their DH.89 Rapides. Qantas
later purchased a financial interest in Fiji Airways. |
| 11.6.54 |
Sold to Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva |
| 6.54 |
Packed in two wooden crates and shipped from Sydney to Fiji |
| 7.54 |
Assembled by Fiji Airways at Nausori Airport, Suva |
| 6.7.54 |
Registered as Mk.2 VQ-FAP Katafanga
Estates Ltd, trading as Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva |
6.7.54
|
Test flight at Suva by Fiji Airways Chief Pilot Fred Ladd
|
| 7.54 |
Entered Fiji Airways service as their first Drover |
| 31.8.54 |
Struck-off Australian Register |
| 26.5.60 |
Ran
off runway and struck an earth bank due due brake failure after landing
at Savu Savu, Fiji. Port engine and undercarriage torn away. Captain
Neil M. Ganley and 7 passengers unhurt. Airframe time 8,604 hrs. |
| 14.6.61 |
TAA engineering records purchase date ex Fiji Airways. Acquired to operate a contract with
Lindeman Island resort off the Queensland coast near Mackay. Airframe
time 9,316 hours. |
| .61 |
Ferried from Fiji to Australia by TAA Captain John Chapman |
| 13.9.61 |
Registered VH-ADN: Trans Australia
Airlines, Melbourne Vic. Named Angus Nicolson
(Angus D. Nicolson was founder of Lindeman Island Pty Ltd) |
| 61 |
Based Mackay Qld carrying passengers and supplies to Lindeman
Island |
| 14.12.61 |
Change of ownership: Lindeman Island Pty
Ltd, Mackay Qld |
| c62 |
Change of ownership: Lindeman Aerial Services
Pty Ltd, Mackay Qld |
| 26.9.64 |
noted at Mackay Qld, brown and white paint scheme, "Lindeman" titles |
| 19.3.66 |
completed overhaul in TAA hangar at Brisbane Airport, repainted
TAA style blue and white scheme, "Drover" on tail, "Royal Mail",
with "Lindeman" in red above windows |
| 15.8.66 |
noted at Mackay, "Lindeman" titles |
| .68 |
Change of ownership: Hazair Sales and Service,
Orange NSW. Total time 11,910 hours
(Hazair were dealers in near-new Piper aircraft imported from USA.
Lindeman traded the Drover on a Piper Aztec 250 recently ferried
from USA by Hazair) |
| 6.68 |
noted at Bankstown, "Lindeman" titles, name "Angus Nicolson",
parked outside Hawker De Havilland hangar |
| 20.7.68 |
noted at Bankstown, unmoved, props removed. Also 21.9.68. 13.10.68
|
| 31.12.68 |
noted at Bankstown, now with one prop fitted
|
| 11.2.69 |
Change of ownership: J. B. Steggles, Newcastle
NSW |
| 5.10.69 |
noted at Orange NSW, parked on grass near Hazair hangar, "Lindeman" titles
|
| 22.11.69 |
visited Adelaide Airport, "Lindeman" titles |
| 15.9.70 |
noted at Orange NSW, "Lindeman" titles |
| 26.9.70 |
noted at Orange NSW |
| 29.12.70 |
noted at Orange NSW, still "Lindeman" titles and name Angus
Nicolson |
| 3.11.71 |
Change of ownership: Ronald S. Pugsley,
Ettalong NSW |
| 15.4.72 |
noted at Cessnock NSW, faded "Lindeman" titles |
| 9.6.72 |
Ferried Bankstown-Albury-Moorabbin, pilot Keith Meggs. Next day
to Labertouche Vic where based for a period on parachuting operations
|
| 15.6.72 |
Change of ownership: Ian McCrostie, Melbourne
Vic |
| 17.7.72 |
Change of ownership: Claude V. Gillard &
Bruce Towers, Melbourne Vic |
| 26.5.73 |
noted at Bankstown, faded "Lindeman" paintwork |
| 11.7.73 |
Struck-off Register at owner's request |
| 19.11.73 |
noted at Bankstown, faded "Lindeman" paintwork |
| 11.12.73 |
Restored to Register VH-ADN: Southern Cross
Parachutes Pty Ltd, c/- Bruce Towers, Melbourne Vic |
| - |
Forced landing in northern Queensland. Department of Transport
investigation found that VH-ADN had been operating commercially
carrying loads of prawns in the Normanton area, while registered
in Private Category |
| 20.7.76 |
noted at Longreach Qld, parked here in open storage for two years |
| 30.6.77 |
Change of ownership: Palms Investments Pty
Ltd c/- Bruce Towers, Beaudesert Qld |
| 5.4.78 |
noted at Coonabarabran NSW. Has been retired here for some time,
parked in open storage. Same paint scheme but no titles.
Owner Bruce Towers reported to be waiting for overhaul of centre
engine, after which it will return to parachute dropping operations
at Corowa NSW. |
| 1.9.78 |
noted at Coonabarabran, unmoved |
| 81/82 |
retired at Packenham Vic parachuting strip. Poor condition |
| 24.6.81 |
Struck-off Register at owner's request |
| 9.82 |
Ferried from Packenham to Morwell Vic for overhaul. Two-engine
ferry flight made with aircraft in poor condition, deteriorated
fabric control surfaces taped over. |
| 14.3.83 |
noted at Morwell Vic, parked outside in poor condition |
| 4.3.84 |
noted at Morwell Vic, parked outside, control surface fabric tattered |
23.12.85
|
noted
at Morwell Vic, weathered blue & white paint, all control surfaces
removed, tarpaulin over cockpit area, tent covering port wing
|
| 87-89 |
Two year restoration by J. Brown, Morwell Vic |
| 27.1.89 |
Restored to Register VH-ADN: John E. Brown,
Morwell Vic |
| 25.3.89 |
visited Mangalore Vic airshow, restored, white with blue cheat
line |
| 10.90 |
visited RAAF Point Cook Vic fly-in |
| 12.10.91 |
visited RAAF Richmond airshow |
| 24.10.92 |
visited Avalon Vic airshow |
| 26.10.92 |
Change of ownership: Helen J. Brown, Morwell
Vic .
(She kept the Drover going after the death of her husband John,
flown for her by Dave Wheatland of Gippsland Aeronautics at Morwell-Latrobe
Valley Airport) |
| by 99 |
Purchased by Charlie Camilleri, & Peter
Hanneman, Bathurst NSW |
| 17.1.00 |
Press
reports on CASA aircraft grounding order Australia-wide due fuel
contamination, had picture of Charlie Camilleri sitting in the Drover
at Bathurst. His Tiger Moth was also grounded. |
| 8.00 |
visited Watts Bridge Qld flyin, flown from Bathurst by owner
Charlie Camilleri. Basic TAA blue and white paint scheme, no titles.
Total time 12,200 hours |
| 25.9.00 |
Change of ownership: Bathurst Aircraft
Maintenance Centre Pty Ltd, trading as Bathurst Vintage Joy Flights,
c/- Charlie Camilleri, Bathurst NSW
|
10.00
|
Flown at Bathurst by Charlie Camilleri in formation with HARS Drover VH-DHM
|
| 9.7.01 |
noted at Charleville Vic with travelling with a group of aircraft
on the Airshows In The Outback Tour. Pilot Charlie Camillerei |
| 16.10.03 |
noted at Bathurst NSW, flying joyrides |
| 17.3.05 |
visited Avalon Vic airshow, blue and white, no titles |
| 28.9.07 |
visited Narromine NSW flyin |
| 10.3.09 |
visited Avalon Vic airshow, blue and white. no titles. Also 4.3.11
|
.18
|
Sold to Kermit A. Weeks/Fantasy of Flight, Polk City Florida USA.
Kermit Weeks arranged for the Drover to be displayed at Pima Air and Space Musuem
|
2.19
|
VH-ADN was dismantled at Bathurst for shipping to USA
|
6.19
|
VH-ADN arrived dismantled at Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona
|
20
|
Assembled and displayed, white and metallic as VH-ADN "Flying Doctor Service", name "John Flynn"
|
|
Current
|
VH-EBT
at Brisbane-Eagle Farm Airport in
1952.
Photo by Gus Gruelke
VQ-FAP in Fiji Airways
service.
Photo: Dave Freeman Collection, courtesy SA Aviation Museum
Bankstown September 1968, traded by Lindeman
Island on an
Aztec.
Photo by Roger McDonald
Morwell Vic in January 1984, waiting for an overhaul and looking very
weather-beaten.
Photo by Geoff Goodall
Restored and repainted, visiting RAAF Point
Cook Vic in October
1990.
Photo by Phil Vabre
VH-ADN
displayed at Pima Air Museum April 2021 to represent a Flying Doctor
Service Drover. Pima Air
& Space Museum
C/n
5010
Mk.1
St. Vincent Welch
VH-DRD
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5010 |
|
Fourth of 6 Drovers ordered by Trans Australia Airlines for supplementary
routes and to replace DH.84 Dragons on Flying Doctor Service contracts
held by TAA in Queensland |
| 30.11.51 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 5.12.51 |
CofA issued. 7 passenger seats |
| 5.12.51 |
Registered VH-DRD Trans Australia
Airlines, Melbourne Vic |
| 6.12.51 |
DHA quoted delivery date to TAA. TAA records give same date for acceptance
|
|
Ferried from Sydney to Charleville Qld where it was based on the
RFDS contract. Named St. Vincent Welch after an early flying
doctor |
| 11.1.52 |
Crashed on takeoff Mooraberrie Station Qld.
Operating a scheduled TAA Channel Country Service
from Charleville to Quilpie, Windorah, Waverney, Morney, Mooraberrie to
Leigh Creek SA. TAA Captain Peter Chapman and two passengers were not
injured.
DCA accident report: “Shortly after
becoming airborne on take-off at Mooraberrie, the centre engine lost
all power. Some seconds later the port engine also lost power
completely and the pilot made a landing off the airfield straight ahead
and ran through a fence. The touchdown was heavy and the aircraft
sustained substantial damage.”
|
|
Aircraft declared an insurance write-off
|
1.52
|
TAA
DC-3 VH-TAW brought a maintenance team to Mooraberrie Station to
dismantle the damaged Drover and salvage engines and all useful parts
|
|
Fuselage and wing sections left at Mooraberrie
|
| 5.5.52 |
Struck-off Register |
|
Dismantled fuselage reportedly used as chicken house for the station homestead |
| 11.80 |
Fuselage salvaged from "Mooraberrie" and moved by road to Mount
Isa Qld by the local APEX Club for a planned memorial to the RFDS. |
| 80-81 |
VH-DRD fuselage used to build a composite display airframe, with sections of VH-AZN (c/n 5017) by volunteers at Mount Isa.
|
| 27.6.81 |
Unveiled at Mount Isa, displayed on poles, painted as "RFDS VH-DRD St Vincent Welch" |
15
|
Still on pole at Mount Isa but badly deteriorated
due exposure to the weather. Planned to be taken down and stored,
for future restoration for an RFDS memorial at another western
Queensland town.
|
5.22
|
Still on pole at Mount Isa |
VH-DRD
damaged at Mooraberrie Station Qld January 1952. Structural damage made
it a write-off and after engines
and parts had been removed, it was abandoned by TAA on the station.
Ben Dannecker collection
VH-DRD's recovery team reaches Mount Isa,
November
1980.
Ben Dannecker collection
The rebuilt Drover being lifted up to its display pylons in 1981. Ben Dannecker collection
Mount
Isa 1982 soon after the RFDS memorial was
completed.
Photo by Craig Murray
Mount Isa, January 2010: the paintwork by
now faded by the outback
sun.
Photo by Ken Watson
C/n
5011
Mk.1, Mk.1F, Mk.2, Mk.3,
Mk.3B Eric Donaldson, Big Thunder VH-DRE, VH-FDT, VP-PAP, VH-EOO
| .52 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5011 |
|
Fifth of 6 Drovers ordered by Trans Australia Airlines for supplementary
routes and to replace DH.84 Dragons on Flying Doctor Service contracts
held by TAA in Queensland |
| 21.2.52 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 21.3.52 |
CofA issued |
| 4.4.52 |
Registered VH-DRE Trans Australia
Airlines, Melbourne Vic. Named Eric Donaldson |
| 4.4.52 |
CofA issued |
| 8.4.52 |
DHA quoted delivery date to TAA. TAA records give same date as acceptance.
To be based at Cloncurry Qld for TAA services and the FDS contract
|
| 4.52 |
Collected at Bankstown by Captain Harry Moss (of NT Medical Service)
wearing his brand new TAA uniform, who ferried it to Cloncurry.
TAA had just taken over operations and crewing for NTMS. |
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| 16.4.53 |
Annual CofA renewal at Brisbane-Eagle Farm |
| 8.54 |
Ferried from Cloncurry to Bankstown for conversion to Drover Mk.2
by De Havilland Aircraft. Replaced by Drover 2 VH-AHZ loaned by
DHA while DRE at Bankstown. VH-DRE back in RFDS service at
Cloncurry as a Mk.2 by 10.54
|
|
Later based Charleville Qld on RFDS contract |
| 1.7.59 |
Change of ownership: Royal Flying Doctor
Service (Queensland Section)
Continued to be operated on contract by TAA, retained name Eric
Donaldson |
| .60 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3 after
re-engining with Lycomings at Bankstown |
| 3.61 |
Log: VH-DRE flying almost daily until end of 1961 |
| 6.12.62 |
Arrived Brisbane Airport for annual CofA renewal by TAA |
| 31.12.63 |
Completed inspection Brisbane, repainted as VH-FDT during the
overhaul |
| 1.63 |
Re-registered VH-FDT |
| 1.2.63 |
noted at Brisbane Airport, RFDS scheme, name Eric Donaldson |
| 2.2.63 |
Departed Brisbane on ferry to RFDS base, probably Mount Isa. Log:
5 hours flying |
| 9.63 |
noted at Brisbane Airport |
| 24.6.64 |
noted at Brisbane Airport |
| 14.7.64 |
arrived Bankstown from repairs by Hawker De Havilland to fire
damage in right engine |
| 9.9.64 |
departed Bankstown for Queensland |
| 14.1.66 |
Log: maintenance by TAA at Townsville |
| 20.7.68 |
Log: base check maintenance inspection |
| 10.9.68 |
Change of ownership: Hawker De Havilland
(Australia) Pty Ltd, Bankstown NSW
Traded in to Beech agents Hawker De Havilland on replacement RFDS Beech
Queen Air |
| 18.10.68 |
Log: No.1 Service carried out (no location quoted, probably by
HdeH Bankstown) |
| 24.10.68 |
noted at Bankstown, parked outside Hawker De Havilland hangar
as Mk.3 with horizontal tailplane, parked alongside retired VH-FDS.
both full RFDS scheme. Noted unmoved 3.11.68, 16.11.68, 24.11.68 |
| 31.12.68 |
noted at Bankstown as Mk.3 with horizontal tailplane |
| c2.69 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3B, modified
by Hawker De Havilland at Bankstown |
| 12.2.69 |
Struck-off Register at owner's request |
| 22.2.69 |
Registered VP-PAP New Hebrides Airways
trading as Air Melanesiae, Port Vila,
New Hebrides |
| 1.3.69 |
VP-PAP noted at Bankstown |
| 13.4.69 |
VP-PAP noted at Bankstown, new paint scheme "Air Melanesiae" titles |
| 3.5.69 |
VP-PAP noted at Bankstown. "Air Melanesiae" |
| 15.5.69 |
Departed Bankstown on ferry flight to New Hebrides, flown by Jim
Hazelton and Laurie McIver, over-nighted at Brisbane. Departed to
Noumea next day. but returned to Brisbane due weather. Flew Brisbane-Noumea
on 17.5.69 |
| 17.5.69 |
Damaged on landing at Vila, when ran off runway due brake failure,
pilot Warren Stewart |
| 19.5.69 |
Log: new propeller installed |
| 23.5.69 |
Test flown Vila after repairs |
31.5.59
|
Damaged again in accident at Port Vila.
|
5.59
|
Airframe Log: no flying until 12.69
|
| 12.12.69 |
Test flight Port Vila after maintenance and propeller change |
| 13.12.69 |
Test flight Port Vila |
|
Airframe Log: not flown again until 5.70 |
| 27.5.70 |
Test flight Port Vila |
| 2.6.70 |
Test flight Port Vila |
|
Note: VP-PAP did not fly any airline services in New Hebrides |
|
Bob Paul, founder of New Hebrides Airways, later wrote: "VP-PAP
was a Mk.3B we purchased from RFDS through Hawker De Havilland.
Delivered to Vila, landing accident Vila owing to brake failure,
pilot Warren Stewart. Sent back to Hawker De Havilland by agreement
that aircraft was not up to specification." |
| 15.6.70 |
Log:
departed Port Vila on ferry flight back to Bankstown. Routed via
Noumea, New Caledonia and Brisbane, overnighted Brisbane.
|
| 12.7.70 |
VP-PAP noted at Bankstown, Air Melanesiae scheme and titles, name Big Thunder on nose, also 19.7.70 |
| 22.8.70 |
Struck-off New Hebrides Register |
| 19.9.70 |
noted at Bankstown, repainted as VH-EOO, no titles |
| 20.9.70 |
noted at Bankstown, repainted as VH-EOO, no titles |
9.70
|
Traded in on BN-2A Islander VP-PAS purchased from Islander Aircraft Sales, Sydney. Registered VP-PAS 1.9.70
|
| 22.9.70 |
Registered VH-EOO Ronald C. Muir,
Bankstown NSW
(Muir was a partner in Islander Aircraft Sales at Bankstown Airport, Sydney, dealing in newe and used new BN-2A Islanders.
At that time he was also a partner with Jim Hazelton in Navair at Bankstown, an established training and sales business.
|
| 10.70 |
noted at Bankstown, silver with white roof, no titles |
| 11.70 |
noted at Bankstown |
| 11.4.71 |
Flew from Bankstown to Port MacQuarie NSW for the day, to attend an airshow. Pilot Ron Muir with 7 passengers. |
| 2.72 |
noted at Bankstown, no titles |
| 30.4.72 |
noted at Bankstown, no titles |
| 3.7.72 |
Change of ownership: Ken D. Waterford,
Sydney NSW
(Waterford traded as Gypsie Carpets Pty Ltd, Bass Hill, Sydney) |
| 29.7.72 |
noted at Bankstown, flying joyrides |
| 29.9.72 |
Change of ownership: International Aircraft
Co Pty Ltd, Adelaide SA
(Holding company for Coveair Pty Ltd, Adelaide) |
| 1.10.72 |
Arrived Parafield on delivery from Bankstown, visited Adelaide
Airport later that day |
| 7.10.72 |
noted at Adelaide Airport, now painted as "Island Air" |
| 18.10.72 |
Change of ownership: Coveair
Pty Ltd, Adelaide SA |
|
Operated scheduled passenger services from Adelaide Airport to
Yorketown and Kangaroo Island, for Island Air, later repainted as
Coveair |
| 21.12.72 |
Tailwheel damaged at Adelaide Airport |
| 30.3.73 |
A propeller struck the ground during engine run at Kangaroo Island |
| 5.5.73 |
noted at Parafield, "Island Air" titles |
| 3.74 |
Withdrawn from service at Parafield SA, pending mandatory
wingspar inspection |
| 9.3.74 |
noted at Parafield, in Air Mist hangar with mainplanes removed.
Stored alongside Coveair's spare parts Drover VH-FDC |
|
Structural airworthiness issues with wingspar. Not economical
to repair |
| 4.9.74 |
noted at Parafield, dismantled in Air Mist hangar. Island Air's
airworthy Drover FDU also in hangar |
| 4.2.75 |
Struck-off Register at owner's request |
|
Stored at Parafield |
| .78 |
Airframe donated to Airport Fire Service,
Adelaide Airport for training use |
| 11.5.78 |
Moved by road from Parafield to Adelaide Airport. Assembled at
airport fire station |
| 3.9.78 |
noted at Adelaide Airport fire station, cowlings fitted but no
engines |
| 21.6.79 |
noted at Adelaide Airport fire station, cowlings now removed |
| 7.10.84 |
noted at Adelaide Airport fire station, engineless, weathered
condition "IslandAIR"
|
|
Assumed destroyed for fire practice training |
TAA
publicity picture of a newly built
VH-DRE.
Ben Dannecker collection
VH-DRE
at Brisbane 9 December 1957, in the new RFDS scheme, retaining the TAA emblem under
the cockpit.
Photo: TAA via Peter J. Ralph collection
Mk.2
VH-DRE with RFDS titles and TAA emblem under cockpit.
Ben Dannecker collection
Mk.3
VH-FDT at Bankstown in November
1968.
John Hopton Collection
Now a
Drover Mk.3B, VP-PAP seen on return to Bankstown June
1970.
Photo by Roger McDonald
VH-EOO
at Bankstown in July
1972.
Photo by Roger McDonald
Adelaide-West
Beach June 1973, operated by Island
Air.
Photo by Michael Austin
VH-EOO
simulating a crashed aircraft at a remote corner of Adelaide Airport
for a SAR exercise circa 1978. CAHS
C/n
5012
Mk.1, Mk.1F, Mk.2, Mk.3,
Mk.3B
George Simpson VH-AZM, VH-DRF, VH-FDU, VP-PAF, VH-FDU
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5012 |
|
First of two ordered by Commonwealth Department of Health for
operation by NT Medical Service, based Darwin |
| 2.7.52 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 3.7.52 |
CofA issued |
| 9.7.52 |
Registered VH-AZM Commonwealth Department
of Health, Canberra ACT, operated by Northern Territory Medical
Service |
| 10.7.52 |
DHA quoted delivery date to Dept of Health. |
| 7.52 |
Ferried from Brisbane to Darwin on delivery by Jack Slade, NTMS
Chief Pilot |
| 26.7.52 |
NTMS acceptance date |
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers in Darwin |
| .53 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA |
| 5.6.58 |
Commonwealth Government agreed to donate this Drover to Royal
Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) when replaced
by a DH.104 Dove with NTMS |
| 12.9.59 |
NTMS retirement date |
| 21.9.59 |
Change of ownership: Royal Flying Doctor
Service (Queensland Section) Inc |
| .59 |
Delivered to RFDS at Charleville where based. For some months
flown by RFDS while retaining the white and red NTMS colour scheme
with NTMS titles |
| 1.61 |
Reregistered VH-DRF Royal Flying
Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Inc
Named George Simpson |
| 11.61 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3 after
re-engining with Lycomings at Bankstown |
| 5.64 |
Re-registered VH-FDU Royal Flying
Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Inc
Retained name George Simpson |
|
Airframe Log records that the aircraft was repainted as VH-FDU
during overhaul for CofA renewal between 6.4.64 and 22.5.64, by
TAA at Brisbane Airport |
| 14.9.66 |
VH-FDU noted at Brisbane Airport |
| 5.67 |
Sold to Hawker De Havilland (Australia)
Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport NSW
Traded in to Beech agents Hawker De Havilland on replacement RFDS Beech
Queen Air.
Hawker De Havilland had already on-sold the aircraft to New
Hebrides Airways |
| 27.5.67 |
Arrived at Bankstown from Queensland on delivery to Hawker De
Havilland as trade-in on a Beech Queen Air |
| 6.67 |
Under overhaul at Bankstown by Hawker De Havilland, during which
it was modified to Drover Mk. 3B.Repainted in white, blue and red scheme and "Air Melanesiae" titles
and registration VP-PAF |
| 20.6.67 |
Struck-off Australian Register. |
| 24.6.67 |
Registered VP-PAF New Hebrides Airways
Ltd, Port Vila, operating as Air Melanesiae |
| 19.7.67 |
Log: test flown Bankstown |
| 21.7.67 |
Log: test flown Bankstown |
| 29.7.67 |
VP-PAF noted at Bankstown, parked outside HdeH hangar, Air Melanesiae
titles |
| 1.8.67 |
VP-PAF noted at Bankstown, parked outside HdeH hangar, Air Melanesiae
titles |
| 8.67 |
Ferried Bankstown-Brisbane-Port Vila by Jim Hazelton |
| 19.8.67 |
Log: commenced service with Air Melanesiae, daily flights |
| 8.3.69 |
Damaged on landing Lamap, New Hebrides when ran off strip due
ground-loop caused by brake failure. Aircraft damaged, including
4 feet torn off a wingtip. |
| 19.3.69 |
Log: flown out to Vila after repair at Lamap |
|
Repaired at Port Vila |
|
Log: not flown until 12.69 |
| 12.12.69 |
Log: test flight |
| 13.12.69 |
Log: test flight |
|
Log: not flown until 11.72.
Note: if the airframe log book
records are complete, VP-PAF did not fly any airline services
in New Hebrides after 3.69 until 11.72 when ferried back to Australia.
|
|
New Hebrides Airways founder Bob Paul wrote in 1986: "VP-PAF
was a Mark 3B Drover with V tail and Lycoming motors - far better
performance than the Mk.2 with Gipsys. This was the first Mk.3 purchased
by New Hebrides Airways (Air Melanesae) and was ferried up by Jim
Hazelton. Brake failure on landing at Lamap caused a violent ground-loop
and a wingtip was sheared off. The aircraft was flown back to Vila
by Warren Stewart with four feet off the wing. It was repaired in
Vila, sold to Ron Muir." |
| .72 |
Sale negotiated with Ron Muir,
Bankstown NSW
(Ron Muir was a partner in Islander Aircraft Sales at Bankstown Airport, Sydney, dealing in new and used new BN-2A Islanders.
At that time he was also a partner with Jim Hazelton in Navair at Bankstown, an established training and sales business. |
| 20.11.72 |
Log: test flight |
| 1-4.12.72 |
Log: ferried Port Vila to Sydney |
| 1.12.72 |
VP-PAF noted at Noumea on return to Australia
|
| 8.12.72 |
Restored to Register as Mk.3B VH-FDU International
Aircraft Co Pty Ltd, Adelaide SA
(Holding company for Coveair) |
| 16.12.72 |
VH-FDU noted at Bankstown, no titles |
| 31.12.72 |
arrived Adelaide Airport on delivery from Sydney |
| 4.1.73 |
Change of ownership: Coveair Pty Ltd, Adelaide
SA |
| 6.1.73 |
noted at Parafield, still with “New Hebrides Airways Ltd” titles on fuselage |
| 13.1.73 |
noted at Adelaide Airport, now painted in "Island Air" markings |
|
Operated scheduled passenger services from Adelaide Airport to
Yorketown and Kangaroo Island under name Island Air, later Coveair |
| 10.3.73 |
noted at Adelaide Airport, "Island Air" |
| 13.4.73 |
Damaged when ran through a fence at Yorketown SA. Takeoff was
abandoned following loss of power in port engine |
| 25.3.73 |
Forced landing in paddock at Port Stanvac due fue expiry on scheduled
Kangaroo island-Adelaide service. No damage, flown out and returned
to service. |
| 4.9.74 |
noted at Parafield, parked in Air Mist hangar. "Island Air" titles.
Drover VH-EOO dismantled in rear of the hangar |
| 15.2.75 |
noted at Parafield, overhaul in Robbys hangar. Completed by 8.3.75 |
| 29.3.75 |
noted at Adelaide Arport, "Island Air" titles have been replaced
with "Coveair" |
| 21.4.75 |
Change of ownership: Armor Coatings (Australasia)
Pty Ltd, Adelaide SA
Armor Coatings (Mr. Van Reesma) had purchased a controlling interest
in Coveair |
| 4.75 |
Continued flying Coveair scheduled services to Kangaroo Island,
"Coveair" titles |
| 28.2.76 |
noted at Parafield, parked on grass |
| 27.3.76 |
noted at Adelaide Airport, "Coveair" titles |
| 5.76 |
Retired at Parafield SA |
| 29.5.76 |
noted at Parafield, parked on grass out from Robbys hangar, retired.
|
| 25.6.77 |
noted at Parafield, unmoved on grass, faded Coveair paintwork. Also 30.7.77
|
| 23.4.78 |
noted at Parafield, unmoved, faded Coveair paintwork “Island Air” also showing through |
| 30.1.79 |
noted at Parafield, unmoved on grass, high unmowed grass under
aircraft |
| 79 |
Impounded by Department of Transport for unpaid Air Navigation
Charges |
| 22.12.79 |
towed from its parking spot of the past 3 years to large ex-DAP
hangar now used by general aviation aircraft by Parafield-based
aircraft engineer Jim Jenkins. Stored inside hangar. Jenkins hoped
to acquire the aircraft as a restoration project |
| 21.4.80 |
Struck-off Register |
| 80 |
Purchased by John Pope, Adelaide SA
(Pope headed a sydicate building an airworthy Fokker trimor replica
VH-USU in the ex-DAP hangar at Parafield. VH-FDU parked in same
hangar, complete.) |
| 10.80 |
noted at Parafield, parked complete in ex DAP hangar, very faded
paintwork. "Island Air" and "Coveair" titles visible over top of
each other. |
| 17.1.91 |
Restored to Register VH-FDU: Ronald
A. Lee, Melbourne Vic, later Elanora Qld
(Ron Lee was a licenced aircraft engineer and noted warbird restorer,
at the time working for Malcolm Long's Air Gold Coast maintenance
facility at Coolangatta Qld. Lee also maintained Long's collection
of military aircraft which had been moved from Chewing Gum Field
Air Museum Qld to Air World, Wangaratta during 1986) |
| 3.91 |
noted at Moorabbin flying, restored in accurate RFDS paint scheme, retained RFDS name George Simpson
|
| 3.93 |
noted at Moorabbin |
| 94 |
Under restoration by owner Ron Lee |
| 01 |
VH-FDU displayed at Air World museum, Wangaratta Vic. |
| 1.02 |
Air World closed due financial losses |
| 02 |
VH-FDU parked in Air World hangar at Wangaratta, still owned by
Ron Lee |
| 30.9.06 |
noted at Wangaratta, parked outside Airworld hangar, "RFDS" paint
scheme |
| 24.10.06 |
noted at Wangaratta, "RFDS" |
| 08 |
Still based at Wangaratta, parked in the ex-Air World hangar which
has been taken over by Precision Aerospace Products for warbird
restorations |
| 26.6.10 |
Ferried
to Coolangatta Qld from Wangaratta. |
17.10.10
|
noted Caboolture, parked outside the Warplane Museum hangar
|
| 10 |
Displayed at Caboolture Warplane Museum,
Caboolture Airport Qld |
6.20
|
Parked outside at Caboolture, control surfaces removed.
|
|
Currently registered to Ron Lee, Elanora Qld
|
VH-AZM
in service with Northern Territory Medical
Service.
Ben Dannecker collection
VP-PAF
at Bankstown 1 August
1967.
Photo by Roger McDonald
VH-FDU
Bankstown 16 December 1972, just before delivery to
Adelaide.
Photo by Roger McDonald
VH-FDU
at Adelaide Airport, January
1974.
Photo by Peter Ricketts
Adelaide
Airport April 1975, now with Coveair
titles.
Photo by Mike Madden
Parafield
October 1980 after years parked in the weather. The operating
names Island Air and Coveair are both readable.
Photo by Chris O'Neill
Moorabbin
March 1991, fresh from major restoration by Ron
Lee.
Photo by Mike Madden
Retired
out in in the weather at Caboolture Qld in July 2021, faded paintwork
and torn aeleron fabric. Photo by Ian McDonell
C/n
5013
Mk.1, Mk.1F, Mk.2, Mk.3,
Mk.3A
John Flynn
VH-FDC
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5013 |
|
Ordered by Flying Doctor Service of Australia (NSW Section) Inc.
To replace a DH.84 Dragon at their base at Broken Hill NSW |
| 3.6.52 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 24.6.52 |
Registered VH-FDC Flying Doctor
Service of Australia (NSW Section), Broken Hill NSW
later renamed Royal Flying Doctor Service
of Australia (NSW Section), Broken Hill NSW
Named John Flynn |
| 24.6.52 |
CofA issued. Fitted with 2 stretchers, 3 seats for doctor, nurse and passenger.
|
4.7.52
|
Official hand-over to FDS at Bankstown
|
6.7.52
|
Ceremony at Broken Hill for the arrival of the new aircraft
|
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| .54 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA |
| .61 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3 after
re-engining with Lycomings at Bankstown |
| 2.10.62 |
visited Adelaide Airport, green and white with red cross, horizontal
tailplane |
| .62 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.3A after
fitted with dihedral tailplane by DHA at Bankstown |
| 3.63 |
visited Adelaide-Parafield, dihedral tailplane |
| 28.3.66 |
visited Adelaide Airport on medivac flight |
| 27.10.66 |
visited Melbourne-Moorabbin Airport |
| 16.11.66 |
visited Bankstown |
| 14.7.67 |
visited Brisbane-Archerfield, probably in connection with delivery
of RFDS Beagle 206 VH-FDA to Archerfield 22.7.67 from Britain |
| 21.10.67 |
noted at Broken Hill, home base. Green and white with RFDS titles,
in service |
| 11.67 |
based Broken Hill |
| 9.68 |
retired by RFDS at Broken Hill, both Drovers replaced by Beagle
206s |
| 10.68 |
noted at Bankstown, retired, parked on grass opposite HdeH hangar. Also 3.11.68, 16.11.68, 24.11.68, 1.69
|
| 15.10.69 |
noted at Bankstown |
| 28.11.69 |
Struck-off Register at owner's request |
| 20.9.70 |
noted at Bankstown |
| 70 |
Purchased by Tom Harrison, Sydney NSW.
Acquired just for the Lycoming engines.
Harrison operated a mixed fleet of floatplanes: Auster, PA-20, PA-22,
PA-28. |
| 10.2.71 |
noted at Bankstown with nose engine removed. High uncut grass
under the aircraft. |
| 2.72 |
noted at Bankstown, all engines removed, also 28.7.72 still in full RFDS markings
|
| .73 |
Airframe sold for spare parts to Coveair
Pty Ltd, Adelaide SA |
| 26.4.73 |
VH-FDC arrived Parafield Airport, Adelaide by truck
from Bankstown. Wings were moved into the Air Mist hangar, fuselage was left in a compound outside
|
| 22.6.73 |
fuselage moved from compound into Air Mist hangar |
| 9.3.74 |
FDC noted at Parafield, dismantled in Air Mist hangar where Drover
VH-EOO was having an overhaul |
| .78 |
Donated to Airport Fire Service, Adelaide
Airport for training use |
| 11.5.78 |
Moved by road from Parafield to Adelaide Airport, left unassembled
at the fire station in centre of airport |
| 5.78 |
Purchased "as is" for $1200 by Bill Kinsman
for Central Australian Air Museum, Alice Springs NT |
| 6.78 |
Moved by road from Adelaide Airport to Alice Springs |
| 20.1.79 |
noted at old Townsite Aerodrome, Alice Springs, in hangar which
will be the site of the new CAAM. Drover was assembled, engineless
and other parts missing. Still in RFDS green and white paintwork. |
| 81 |
CAAM, displayed inside hangar at the old Townsite aerodrome Alice
Springs |
| 97 |
CAAM, displayed on poles outside museum, green and white RFDS
paint scheme |
| 9.01 |
CAAM Alice Springs on poles, in good condition, Lycoming engines
"RFDS VH-FDC" |
| 5.05 |
CAAM Alice Springs. A plate says this was museum's first aircraft,
arriving 5.78 |
|
Currently displayed at Central Australian Air Museum |
VH-FDC John Flynn as a Mk.2 in original metallic and white, prior to the name change to Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1958.
Photo: Ben Dannecker collection
Rare colour
view of VH-FDC in original metallic and white
scheme.
Ben Dannecker collection
Adelaide
Airport October 1962 as a Mk.3, re-engined wth Lycomings but not yet modified
with the dihedral tailplane.
Photo by Geoff Goodall
Bankstown
November 1968, after it was retired by
RFDS.
John Hopton Collection
Central
Australian Aviation Museum, February
2002.
Photo by Paul Howard
C/n
5014
Mk.1, Mk.1F,
Mk.2
VH-EAZ, VH-EAS, G-APXX, "VH-FDT"
| .52 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5014 |
|
Fifth of 7 Drovers ordered by Qantas Empire Airways to be based
in New Guinea |
| 7.4.52 |
Registration application: Qantas Empire
Airways Ltd, Sydney NSW
Aircraft due for completion in June 1952
Application signed by Norman W. Roberts, QEA Chief Inspector |
| 15.7.52 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 23.7.52 |
Registered VH-EAZ Qantas Empire Airways
Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 23.7.52 |
CofA issued |
| 30.7.52 |
DHA quoted delivery date to QEA. Qantas record give the same date for acceptance. |
8.52
|
Delivered from Sydney to Lae, where based with QEA New Guinea Internal Services
|
| .52 |
Type changed to Drover Mk.1F by fitting
Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| 6.3.53 |
Pilot Log: flying from Lae, Captain T.E.W.Howes |
| 23.7.53 |
Annual CofA renewal at Lae |
| 24.1.54 |
Pilot Log: Lae-Bulolo-Lae, next day Lae-Bulolo-Wau, both Captain T.E.W. Howes |
| 25.5.54 |
Airframe Log: converted from Mk.1F to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA |
| 5.54 |
VH-EAZ is the last Qantas Drover left in New Guinea |
| 8.54 |
Pilot log: flights in New Guinea on August 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 31 |
| 23.2.55 |
Pilot log: commenced regular daily charter Bulolo-Menyaymya-Bulolo,
Captain Howes. Charter completed 31.3.55 |
| 7.4.55 |
Pilot log: Lae-Bulolo-Wau-Bulolo-Lae, Captain Howes |
| 18.8.58 |
Re-registered VH-EAS in a Qantas re-allocation of fleet
registrations. The aircraft was in storage and was not repainted with the changed registration.
|
| .59 |
Qantas negotiating sale to an English operator through aircraft
brokers W.S.Shackleton Ltd, London |
| 9.12.59 |
VH-EAS Change of ownership: Air Navigation
and Trading Co Ltd, Blackpool.
This company had made several
applications since 1953 for an airline licence to operate scheduled
services between Blackpool and London, quoting aircraft types DH
Rapide, Avro Anson and DHA.3 Drover. The applications were not successful.
|
| 15.12.59 |
Registered G-APXX Air Navigation
and Trading Co Ltd, Squires Gate Aerodrome, Blackpool. |
| 1.9.60 |
Struck-off Australian Register, sold to Great Britain |
| 1.9.60 |
Qantas "disposal date". Total time since new: 1325 hrs 51 mins |
|
Shipped to Great Britain |
| 19.9.61
|
Finally arrived by road at Blackpool-Squires Gate Airport from
Liverpool Docks, still in Qantas paint scheme as VH-EAZ |
|
Never assembled at Blackpool. No British CofA issued, went derelict
at Blackpool |
| 8.62 |
Stored unassembled by AN&T at Squires Gate |
| 3.3.63 |
VH-EAZ noted at Squires gate in AN&T hangar, reported being
worked on |
| 4.64 |
Stored unassembled by AN&T at Squires Gate, "untouched since
arrival" |
| 10.65 |
noted at Squires Gate, derelict condition |
|
remained dismantled at Squires Gate, dismantled in poor condition |
| .67 |
Acquired ex AN &T by British Historic
Air Museum, Southend |
| 19.5.67 |
Arrived at Southend by road from Blackpool. |
| 5.67 |
Assembled at Southend Aerodrome by Aviation Traders, displayed at museum in Qantas scheme
|
| 5.9.67 |
Damaged at museum by gales which blew Miles Magister G-AIDF/"P6411"
against the Drover |
| 18.10.70 |
towed to new BHAM site on western side of Southend Airport |
| 26.5.72 |
Official opening of new museum site, renamed Southend
Historical Aircraft Museum |
| .73 |
repainted at BHAM as "RFDS VH-FDT" in the RFDS scheme adopted by their Lycoming Drover Mk.3s
|
| 26.11.73 |
Struck-off British Register |
| 10.5.83 |
Sold at BHAM closing down auction at Southend to Douglas
Arnold/ Warbirds of Great Britain Ltd. Price £1,700. Planned
use as an aircraft trade item. |
| .83 |
Moved by road from Southend to Blackbushe for storage |
| .85 |
Doug Arnold disposed of several of his stored aircraft. Loaned
to Second World War Aircraft Preservation
Society, Lasham. |
| 7.85 |
noted at Lasham in SWWAPS museum collection |
| 97 |
at Lasham in museum collection, very faded RFDS paintwork |
| 10.09 |
at Lasham in museum collection, extremely faded RFDS paintwork,
compete |
| 11.09 |
Second World War Aircraft Preservation Society was wound up. The
Drover was offered to De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre at London
Colney but it was declined on 18.11.09 due lack of display space. |
| .10 |
Moved by road from Lasham to Wycombe Air Park, Booker where stored dismantled at Parkhouse Aviation |
13
|
Acquired by South Wales Aviation Museum, St Athan, Wales
|
| 5.8.13 |
Arrived by road at St Athan for restoration |
6.19
|
Moved between hangars at St Athan while in storage, pending restoration to display standard
|
VH-EAZ
at Brisbane-Eagle Farm circa
1953.
Photo by Gus Gruelke
VH-EAZ
in New Guinea after modification to
Mk.2.
Geoff Goodall collection
Displayed
at Southend Historical Aircraft Museum as
"VH-FDT".
Photo by Nigel Daw
C/n
5015
Mk.1,
Mk.2
(VH-EAY), VQ-FAR
| .52 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5015 |
|
Sixth of 7 Drovers ordered by Qantas Empire Airways to be based
in New Guinea |
| 14.3.52 |
DCA allocated registration VH-EAY |
| 1.7.52 |
Registration application: Qantas Empire
Airways Ltd, Sydney
Application states "aircraft currently under construction" |
| 29.8.52 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 4.9.52 |
CofA issued |
11.9.52
|
DHA records quote this as Delivery Date to QEA
|
| 9.52 |
Registration VH-EAY not taken up. Qantas refused to accept
the last two aircraft of their order, due to the propeller failures. |
| |
Stored at Bankstown, white with red trim, no titles
|
| .55 |
Sold to Fiji Airways |
| .56 |
Taken out of storage and modified to Drover Mk.2 by DHA at Bankstown |
| .56 |
testflown at Bankstown as Mk.2: assumed, no record found |
| 3.56 |
Packed in two wooden cases by DHA at Bankstown. Shipped to Fiji |
| 23.4.56 |
Registered as a Mk.2 VQ-FAR Katafanga
Estates Ltd trading as Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva |
| 12.63 |
3rd airframe log 12.63 to 4.65: regular flying in Fiji. Log ends |
| 20.7.66 |
Last flight. Retired Suva-Nausori Airport, Fiji |
| 19.10.67 |
Struck-off Register |
| .68 |
Airframe donated to Derrick Technical Institute,
Suva. |
| 68-70 |
Held dismantled at Nausori Airport |
| .72 |
Moved to Air Pacific Aircraft School, Nausori
Airport, Suva |
|
Instructional airframe, one engine sectioned for training |
|
Airframe washed away during a flood |
5015
being packed by DH at Bankstown for shipping to Fiji Airways in
1956.
Geoff Goodall collection
VQ-FAR
in service with Fiji Airways.
Ben Dannecker collection
VQ-FAR
at Suva in 1968 as an instructional
airframe.
Allan Bovelt collection
C/n
5016
Mk.1,
Mk.2
(VH-EAX), VQ-FAS, VP-PAC
| .52 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5016 |
|
Seventh of 7 Drovers ordered by Qantas Empire Airways to be based
in New Guinea |
| 1.7.52 |
Registration application: Qantas Empire
Airways, Sydney NSW
Aircraft under construction.
Application quoted original De Havilland variable pitch propellers
DCA allocated registration VH-EAX |
| 28.10.52 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 1.11.52 |
Delivery date to Qantas. However Qantas refused to accept the
last two aircraft of their order due to propeller failures. |
| 3.11.52 |
CofA issued |
| 11.52 |
VH-EAX not taken up |
|
Stored at Bankstown by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd |
| .56 |
Sale negotiated to Fiji Airways as replacement of Drovers lost
in accidents |
| .56 |
Taken out of storage and modified to Drover Mk.2 by DHA at Bankstown |
| .56 |
testflown at Bankstown as Mk.2: assumed, no record found |
|
Packed into two wooden crates at Bankstown for shipping to Fiji |
| 28.5.56 |
DHA delivery date to Fiji Airways |
| 6.7.56 |
Registered as Mk.2 VQ-FAS Katafanga
Estates Ltd, trading as Fiji Airways Ltd, Suva |
| 11.7.61 |
Commenced hire-purchase lease to New Hebrides
Airways, Port Vila |
| 11.12.62 |
Sold to New Hebrides Airways, Port Vila |
| 4.5.63 |
Ferried Fiji to New Hebrides after maintenance by Fiji Airways
|
|
Retained Fijian registration because New Hebrides administration
had no aviation section or Civil Aircraft Register |
| 8.65 |
Retired at Port Vila due expiry of wing-spar life. Total
flying time: 8,105 hours |
|
Bob Paul, founder of New Hebrides Airways later wrote "VQ-FAS
was a very good aircraft and gave sterling service until it ran
out of spar life and was written off. No serious accidents were
experienced by this aircraft apart from damage to the fuselage belly
after taxying over an obstruction." |
|
Dismantled for spare parts |
| 1.6.66 |
Re-registered VP-PAC New Hebrides
Airways, Port Vila
(Transferred to the newly established
New Hebrides Civil Aircraft Register. However the Drover had been
withdrawn from service the previous year and did not use the new
registration)
|
| 8.7.67 |
Struck-of Register |
| 74 |
dismantled airframe at Port Vila Airport |
| 86 |
fuselage in back garden of a house in Port Vila |
VQ-FAS
awaits passengers at Nadi Airport, Fiji circa
1959.
Ben Dannecker collection
VQ-FAS
in New Hebrides Airways service, at Port Vila in the Solomon
Islands.
Ben Dannecker collection
C/n
5017
Mk.1F,
Mk.2
VH-AZN
| 52 |
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5017 |
|
Second of two ordered by Commonwealth Department of Health to
be operated by NT Medical Service |
| 29.10.52 |
First flight Bankstown, completed as Drover Mk.1F
|
| 18.11.52 |
CofA issued |
| 20.11.52 |
Registered VH-AZN Commonwealth Department
of Health, Canberra ACT:
operated by Northern Territory Medical Service.
Based Alice Springs NT. |
| 20.11.52 |
CofA isued as Mk.1F, Fairey-Reed fixed pitch propellers |
| 20.11.52 |
DHA quoted delivery date to Department of Health |
|
VH-AZN collected at Bankstown by Captain Harry Moss and ferried
to Alice Springs |
| 1.1.53 |
NT Medical Service acceptance date. Based at Alice Springs, and
operated under contract by TAA. Experienced NTMS pilot Harry Moss
became TAA Alice Springs Station Captain Harry Moss |
| 1.53 |
NTMS Alice Springs base began as a one pilot base under TAA Captain
Moss. Because at first Connellan Airways still held an existing
RFDS contract for Alice Springs covering medical emergencies, NTMS
conducted the routine medical circuits carrying a doctor and nurse,
stopping at numerous settlements and station properties where clinics
were conducted. |
| XX |
Type changed to Drover Mk.2 at Bankstown by DHA |
| 57 |
Still based at Alice Springs |
| 26.4.57 |
Crashed "Austral Downs" Station, via Camooweal NT.
Crash location was 57 miles south of Camooweal near the NT/Queensland border.
TAA Captain Richard Paul was relieving TAA Captain
Harry Moss as resident NTMS pilot at Alice Springs NT. Paul had just
departed Camooweal Qld to return to Alice Springs, carrying the doctor
and nurse. They had been asked to look out for a missing stockman on
horseback.
DCA accident report: “Some 40 miles
out of Camooweal, the pilot sighted a lone horseman. Preparations were
being made in the circling aircraft to drop a message in order to
establish the rider’s identity when the aircraft struck level ground
near the Border Fence and slid some 85 metres before coming to rest in
a substantially damaged condition.”
Captain Paul suffered serious head injuries and the two passengers minor injuries.
|
|
The
horse rider ignored the circling aircraft and rode away, unaware the
aircraft had crashed. An RFDS Drover and ground parties reached the
site later the same day. The two passengers were returned to Camooweal
in a vehicle.
However Dick Paul needed urgent medical attention, and was flown to
Mount Isa hospital by the RFDS Drover. His condition required urgent
transfer to Brisbane, and no airline flight was available. A BOAC
Britannia on scheduled service Darwin-Brisbane agreed to divert to
collect him but Mount Isa runways were unsuitable and nearest location
with required runway length was Cloncurry. A TAA DC-3 carried him from
Mount Isa to Cloncurry, but the Britannia's main wheels broke through
the taxiway surface pavement after landing. It was unable to move. With
no other choice, Captain Paul was re-loaded on board the TAA DC-3 which
then took him to Brisbane, where he recovered in hospital. The
Britannia was stranded at Cloncurry for 3 days and its passengers
accommodated with families in town.
|
|
VH-AZN stripped for spare parts at Austral Downs then abandoned |
| 22.4.79 |
Airframe wreck acquired by Mount Isa Tourist
Association. Components would be used in the static restoration
of VH-DRD at Mount Isa as an RFDS display |
| .79 |
Sections recovered at "Austral Downs" Station, and moved by road
to Mount Isa |
| 7.79 |
Project transferred to Rotary Club of Mount
Isa |
|
Static rebuild project at Mount Isa, based on the fuselage and
sections of VH-DRD salvaged from "Mooraberrie" Station Qld |
27.6.81
|
Completed aircraft unveiled at Mount Isa, displayed mounted on poles. Painted as "RFDS VH-DRD St Vincent Welch"
|
VH-AZN
at Eagle Farm Airport, Brisbane circa 1953. This poor picture is the only one found of this Drover while
in service.
Photo by Gus Grulke
Crash
scene at Austral Downs Station, Qld in April
1957.
Ben Dannecker collection
C/n
5018
Mk.2 Lach Nicolson, Keppel Islander, Seabird
(VH-DRF),
VH-AZS
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5018 |
|
Sixth of 6 Drovers ordered by Trans Australia Airlines |
|
DCA allocated registration VH-DRF for TAA: not taken up |
| 3.10.52 |
Registration application: Trans Australia Airlines, Melbourne
Vic
Application quoted original De Havilland variable pitch propellers |
.52
|
TAA cancelled the order for their sixth aircraft because the certification
delays had resulted in deliveries being well behind contracted schedule.
|
| .52 |
Construction completed but not test flown. Stored at Bankstown
with the two cancelled Qantas Drovers. |
| .55 |
Ordered by Department of Health for NT Medical Service. |
| .55 |
Completed at Bankstown as Drover Mk.2 |
| 26.6.55 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 1.7.55 |
CofA issued |
| 1.7.55 |
Registered VH-AZS Commonwealth Department
of Health, Canberra ACT operated by Northern Territory Medical Service |
| 2.7.55 |
DHA quoted delivery date to Department of Health |
| 27.7.55 |
NTMS acceptance date, their third Drover |
27.4.57
|
VH-AZS
flown by TAA F/O Frank Savage, flew Darwin to Camooweal to collect the
doctor and nurse from the NTMS Drover VH-AZN, which crashed nearby the
previous day. Savage then flew them to their home base Alice Springs.
|
| 25.9.61 |
Retirement date by NTMS. Replaced by a DH.104 Dove |
1.11.61
|
Change of ownership: Trans Australia Airlines, Brisbane Qld
|
14.6.62
|
TAA engineering records show this as date in service
|
| 16.8.62 |
Leased by TAA for 3 months to Lindeman
Island Pty Ltd, Mackay Qld.
Joined Drover VH-ADN based at Mackay flying tourists and supplies
to the Lindeman Island resort. Name Lach Nicolson painted
on, after the son of the resort's founder.
|
16.8.62
|
noted Brisbane Airport, white and blue, TAA titles
|
| 11.62 |
Returned to TAA at Brisbane Airport. Held for future leases to Lindeman Island Pty Ltd. |
| 23.1.64 |
noted at Brisbane Airport in TAA hangar, blue & white TAA titles, also 9.2.64 |
| 24.6.64 |
noted at Brisbane Airport, outside TAA hangar, TAA scheme |
| 23.9.64 |
noted at Brisbane Airport, outside TAA hangar, TAA scheme. Propellers
marked "Inhibited 3.9.64" |
| 65 |
Leased by TAA to Lindeman Island Pty Ltd,
Mackay Qld. |
| 4.6.65 |
Pilot log: flew Mackay-Lindeman Island-Mackay almost daily until
20.9.65, pilot TAA Captain Bill Parry |
11.9.65
|
noted Mackay Qld, in passenger service, Lindeman titles
|
| 15.8.66 |
noted at Mackay, "Lindeman" titles, with Lindeman's Drover VH-ADN
and Aztec VH-ALN |
| 8.67 |
Overhaul by TAA at Brisbane Airport and repainted in basic TAA
scheme but "Lindeman" titles replaced by "Coralair - operated by
Countryair" |
| 2.10.67 |
Leased by TAA to Countryair Services Pty
Ltd, Rockhampton Qld
Charter operator Countryair had a 6 month lease, with option to
extend, to operate a TAA tourist service from Rockhampton to the
Great Keppel island resort.
Named Keppel Islander |
| 11.67 |
Included in published TAA timetables for first time, as "Coralair
services, Rockhampton" |
| 31.12.67 |
noted at Rockhampton, boarding passengers at airline terminal
building |
| 10.2.68 |
noted at Rockhampton |
| 1.69 |
noted Rockhampton Qld, based here "Coralair" titles |
| 21.3.69 |
Lease to Countryair completed, returned to TAA at Brisbane Airport |
| 7.4.69 |
Ferried Rockhampton-Brisbane Airport and parked at TAA hangar.
|
| 28.8.69 |
TAA retirement date |
| 11.10.69 |
noted at Brisbane Airport, at TAA hangar, "Coralair" titles, name Keppel Islander. Also 23.9.70
|
|
Held by TAA for a proposed company museum, with the Drover recognising
TAA operation of Royal Flying Doctor Service and NT Medical Service.
Placed up for disposal when the company museum plans were dropped. |
| 8.3.72 |
TAA disposal date |
| 23.3.72 |
Change of ownership Lawrence A. Cheras,
G. Shannon & P. l. Piesse, Brisbane Qld |
| 13.5.72 |
noted at Brisbane-Archerfield, TAA titles removed, also 21.5.72,
31.5.72 |
| 1.4.73 |
flew a passenger charter from Archerfield to an airshow at RAAF
Amberley |
| 8.7.74 |
noted at Archerfield, large titles "Errol Stewart's Bunch of Softies"
to promote a Brisbane electrical goods retailer Errol Stewart's Warehouse. Flew low
and slow along beaches at Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. |
15.8.74
|
noted at Archerfield, large titles "Errol Stewart's Bunch of Softies"
|
| 5.12.74 |
Change of ownership: Donald C. Adams, Pialba
Qld, trading as Offshore Aviation
"Lady Elliot Island" painted on tail, and name Seabird on
nose |
| 74/75 |
Used along with Cessna 336 VH-CMU to develop Lady Elliot Island
resort, not commuter airline services. Lady Elliot Island was a
coral island just north of the larger Fraser island at the southernmost
tip of the Great Barrier Reef. An airstrip had been built on Lady
Elliot Island by Don Adams' previous business Island Aviation |
| 4.1.75 |
noted at Archerfield, "Offshore Aviation" and "Lady Elliot Island"
titles, name Seabird |
| 10.3.75 |
Change of ownership: Tangalooma Aviation
Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld c/- Don C. Adams
Painted as "Tangalooma Aviation" and name Seabird |
| 75/76 |
Tangalooma Island had previously been served by Islandair which
operated "on demand" charters from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island
with BN-2A Islander VH-AIA in an agreement with the island resort
owners. On 13.3.73 the newly formed Tangalooma Aviation purchased
VH-AIA and took over the Brisbane Airport-Tangalooma route. The
Drover replaced VH-AIA but did not operate as a commuter airline:
VH-AZS was registered in Private category to only carry resort guests.
Islandair (Unionair) continued to operate its own services to Tangalooma
for a number of years to the late 1970s |
| 12.6.75 |
noted at Archerfield, "Tangalooma Aviation" titles and name Seabird |
| 10.75 |
noted at Archerfield, ”Tangalooma Aviation" titles and name
Seabird |
| .76 |
AZS traded in on a Partenavia P68B VH-FAB to the agents, Forrestair,
Melbourne. Forrestair immediately on-sold the Drover to Joe
Drage, Wodonga Vic who was establishing a collection of vintage
aircraft |
| 2.76 |
Ferried from Archerfield to Essendon by airline pilot Barry Bell
and Joe Drage, flying time 6hrs 30 mins |
| 28.2.76 |
noted at Essendon Vic, with titles "Drage's Historical Aircraft
Museum" |
| 25.3.76 |
Register Change of ownership date: Forrestair
Pty Ltd, Essendon Airport Vic |
| 21.5.76 |
Change of ownership: Joeseph G. Drage, Wodonga
Vic trading as Drage's Historical Aircraft
Museum. Based in large hangar built on Joe Drages farm near
Wodonga. |
6.11.76
|
noted at Joe Drage’s farm at Wodonga Vic
|
| 29.1.77 |
noted at Albury NSW. Drage's aircraft based here when farm strip
unavailable |
| 3.4.77 |
visited Sunbury Vic flyin, pilot Joe Drage |
| 2.10.77 |
noted at Albury NSW |
| 4.6.78 |
visited Shepparton Vic flyin |
| 25.11.78 |
flying at Joe Drage’s farm airstrip at Wodonga Vic |
| 11.2.79 |
visited Lilydale Vic airshow |
| 4.3.79 |
visited Ballarat Vic airshow |
| 17.6.79 |
noted at Wodonga Vic, flying from Drage's farm strip |
| 6.1.81 |
noted at Wodonga Vic |
| 23.1.83 |
noted at Albury NSW "Drage's Historical Aircraft Museum" titles |
| 1.85 |
Drage in partnership with City of Wangaratta established Drage
Airworld in a large new hangar at Wangaratta Airport, which included a cafeteria and interstate bus station |
| 27.1.85 |
VH-AZS ferried Wodonga-Wangaratta with other airworthy aircraft
of the Drage collection to new Drage Airworld hangar |
| 3.4.85 |
Change of ownership: City of Wangaratta,
Wangaratta Vic |
| 3.88 |
visited Mangalore Vic airshow |
| 15.10.88 |
visited RAAF Richmond airshow |
| 8.96 |
Auction announced for disposal of 10 aircraft of the Airworld
Collection, which had been forced to rationalise to be able to continue.
Among the ten aircraft was Drover VH-AZS |
| 19.11.96 |
Sold at auction of selected Airworld Collection aircraft to John
Clark, Geelong Vic who also purchased DH.85 VH-UUE. Both
were flown out of Wangaratta in late .96 |
| 3.2.97 |
Change of ownership: CGC Bureau Services,
Melbourne Vic (John Clark) |
| 14.5.99 |
Change of ownership: Briar Hall Pty Ltd,
Melbourne Vic (John Clark) |
| 1.02 |
VH-AZS noted at Nelson Vic on Don McBain's airfield, faded paintwork.
Ferried here for maintenance inspection. Reportedly has corrosion
in some sections of the aiframe |
| 1.5.02 |
noted at Nelson Vic |
| 8.5.02 |
Change of ownership: M. F. Rockes, Melbourne
Vic |
| 27.8.02 |
Change of ownership back to: Briar Hall
Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic (John Clark) |
| 4.11.03 |
noted at Nelson Vic having repairs on wings by vintage aircraft
restorer Harvey McBain. “Drage’s Historical Aircraft Museum” titles
still on the fuselage above the windows. It had been flown in from
previous base at Torquay Vic. |
| 9.05 |
Advertised for sale: partly dismantled, located at Nelson Vic:
3 Gipsy Major engines.
Photo with advertisement shows tail removed, engines in place but
covered with tarpaulins and canvas, propellers removed. |
| 12/13 |
stored dismantled in factory at warehouse at Southey Street, Williamstown,
Melbourne. Owner John Clark. |
| .13 |
Purchased on behalf of Australian National
Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Airport Vic |
| 3.8.13 |
Moved by road from Williamstown to ANAM compound at Moorabbin
Airport |
|
Stored by ANAM pending restoration for display
|
VH-AZS
in original Northern Territory Medical Service paint
scheme.
Ben Dannecker collection
VH-AZS
repainted after TAA took over NTMS flying operations.
Roger McDonald collection
Brisbane-Eagle
Farm in June 1964, between leases to Lindeman
Island.
Photo by Barney Deatrick
Mackay
Qld August 1966, in passenger service with Lindeman
Island.
Photo by Roger McDonald
VH-AZS
and VH-ADN behind, both Lindeman Island, Mackay August
1966.
Photo by Roger McDonald
Coralair
and Countryair titles, Brisbane-Eagle Farm
1968.
Photo by Roger McDonald
Brisbane-Archerfield
in July 1974 as a flying advertising
billboard.
Photo by Ron Cuskelly
Archerfield
in January 1975, Offshore Aviation titles.
Photo by
Ron Cuskelly
Essendon
March 1976, Drage's Historical Aircraft Museum, Wodonga
titles.
Photo by Mike Madden
VH-AZS
moving from storage to Moorabbin Airport on 3 August
2013.
Photo by Mark Pilkington
C/n
5019
Mk.2, Mk.3, Mk.3A
The Inlander, Tania
VH-FDA, VH-UNK, VH-UMA, ZK-DDD, VH-FBC
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5019 |
.53
|
Not completed, stored Bankstown waiting for a buyer |
| .56 |
Ordered by Flying Doctor Service of Australia (NSW Section) Inc.
|
| .56 |
Completed at Bankstown as a Drover Mk.2 |
| 28.6.56 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 28.6.56 |
CofA issued |
| 2.7.56 |
Registered VH-FDA Royal Flying Doctor
Service of Australia (NSW Section),
Broken Hill NSW. |
| 6.7.56 |
DHA quoted delivery date to FDS. Named The Inlander |
10.7.56
|
Delivered from Bankstown to Broken Hill by RFDS Captain Vic Clover
|
| 5.59 |
Arrived Bankstown to be the first Drover re-engined with Lycoming
engines by DHA |
| 30.9.59 |
Test flown Bankstown after conversion.
VH-FDA then became the development aircraft for the Mk.3, being used
for extensive test flying by DHA and later DCA certification flying
for the Mk.3 model |
29.5.60
|
displayed at Bankstown airshow as Mk.3, parked alongside Gipsy powered
Drover 2 VH-AHZ for comparison
|
| 6.60 |
Civil Register changed type to Drover Mk.3 |
| 29.5.60 |
displayed at Bankstown airshow, parked alongside Gipsy powered
Drover 2 VH-AHZ |
| 4.6.60 |
Handed back to RFDS (NSW Section) by the Governor General, Lord
Dunrossil in a ceremony at DHA’s works at Bankstown. It was
painted in a new green and white scheme with red crosses. Retained
the name The Inlander |
| 6.62 |
Modified at Bankstown by DHA as Drover Mk.3A, fitted with 14 degree
dihedral tailplane. This was the first Drover returned for the new
design tail. Completed 7.62 |
| 3.11.62 |
noted at Bankstown, dihedral tailplane |
| 10.4.63 |
noted at Adelaide-Parafield, dihedral tailplane
|
| 10.65 |
visited Adelaide Airport on a medivac |
| 19.4.66 |
noted at Wilcannia NSW |
| 9.67 |
retired by RFDS at Broken Hill, both Drovers to be replaced by
Beagle 206s |
| 7.9.67 |
noted at Bankstown, parked outside Hawker De Havilland hangar,
still VH-FDA |
| 7.9.67 |
Reregistered VH-UNK RFDS of Australia
(NSW Section), Sydney NSW
Registration changed to clear the preferred VH-FDA marking for the
replacement RFDS Beagle 206 |
| 12.9.67 |
Change of ownership: Beagle Aircraft Sales
(Australasia) Pty Ltd, Sydney |
| 10.67 |
noted at Mascot October & November 1967, parked outside Flight
Facilities hangar, where associated companies Airfast Charter, Helicopter
Utilities and Beagle Aircraft Sales were based. Parked for several
days with VH-FDA registration painted over, then roughly repainted
as VH-UNK.
The VH-UN series was used by these
companies for some years, based on their re-organisation from
an earlier Sydney charter company United Air.
|
| 10.11.67 |
Change of ownership: Hazair Sales &
Service Pty Ltd, Orange NSW |
| 10.11.67 |
Reregistered VH-UMA |
| 18.11.67 |
noted at Mascot, still with VH-UNK roughly painted on tail. Also 22.11.67
|
2.1.68
|
noted at Orange NSW still painted as VH-UNK
|
| 25.4.68 |
noted at Orange in Hazair hangar, still with VH-UNK on tail. Retains
RFDS green and white paint scheme, titles and name The Inlander |
| 22.6.68 |
noted at Bankstown, repainted in a red, white & blue Piper Aztec style scheme as VH-UMA, no titles
|
| 25.6.68 |
VH-UMA noted at Bankstown. Also 20.7.68
|
| 1.9.68 |
noted at Orange NSW, white with red and blue Piper Aztec style
trim.
|
| 5.11.68 |
noted at Bankstown. Also 24.11.68, 31.12.68, 15.10.69
|
| 9.11.69 |
visited Hoxton Park NSW airshow |
| 23.12.69 |
Change of ownership: Country Publishing
Holdings Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 26.12.69 |
noted at Mascot. |
| 12.69 |
based at Mascot, operated by Oscar Barton
trading as Scenic Flights, who planned scenic sight-seeing
flights with the Drover, targeting US troops on R&R in Sydney
from Vietnam war zone
|
| 12.69 |
Sydney commercial pilot Keith Robey flew VH-UMA for 10 hours commencing
12.69 before the sight seeing venture failed.
Oscar Barton was murdered
in 1970. |
| 22.1.70 |
Change of ownership back to: Hazair Sales
& Service Pty Ltd, Orange NSW |
| 25.2.70 |
noted at Bankstown, same Piper Aztec style paint scheme, white
with red and blue trim |
| 9.70 |
Sale negotiated to New Zealand |
| 20.9.70 |
noted at Bankstown, prop removed from port engine |
| 27.9.70 |
VH-UMA ferried Sydney-Coffs Harbour-Norfolk Island on delivery
from Australia to New Zealand. Pilot was Geoff Norman of the Mercury
Bay Aero Club |
| 28.9.70 |
Arrived Auckland-Mangere Airport |
| 29.9.70 |
Arrived Auckland-Ardmore Airport, then to Hamilton for NZ CofA
inspection by James Aviation |
| 2.10.70 |
Struck-off Australian Register as sold in NZ |
| 16.10.70 |
Registered ZK-DDD Mercury Bay Aero
Club, Whitianga |
|
Mercury Bay Aero Club operated a Whitianga-Mangere passenger and
freight service under the name Mercury Airlines. |
| 14.11.70 |
ZK-DDD flew its first service with Mercury Airlines |
| 4.12.70 |
ZK-DDD noted at Ardmore |
| 14.10.72 |
noted at Ardmore |
| 12.1.73 |
noted at Ardmore, "Mercury Airlines" titles, grey and whte with
dark blue trim, "M" on tail |
| 20.1.73 |
noted at Whitianga, "Mercury Airlines" titles |
| 9.3.73 |
noted at New Plymouth, "Mercury Airlines" titles |
| 8.75 |
Drover replaced by Cessna 207 ZK-DXT, Drover placed up for sale |
| 7.7.76 |
Change of ownership: Drover Club Inc, Whenuapai
Based at Auckland-Ardmore, purchased for parachuting, replacing
a Cessna 207 |
| 16.4.77 |
noted at Ardmore, same paint scheme, no titles but retained "M"
on tail. |
| 13.9.78 |
noted at Ardmore, repainted white, yellow and blue |
| 80 |
now based Dairy Flat airfield, near Auckland |
| c83 |
Damaged Whenuapai in a taxying accident |
| - |
Sold in damaged condition to licenced aircraft engineer Stan Smith,
an experienced vintage aircraft restorer. Moved to his workshop
at Dairy Flat airfield near Auckland. Meanwhile Jim Bergman wanted
to start a scheduled service Auckland-Great Barrier Island, purchased
the Drover, which Stan Smith agreed to rebuild for him. |
| 29.8.83 |
Change of ownership: G. S. (Stan) Smith,
Dairy Flat airfield, Auckland |
| 14.12.83 |
Change of ownership: Great Barrier Airlines
Ltd, Auckland-Ardmore Airport |
| 20.1.84 |
First flight at Dairy Flat after repair, pilot Jim Bergman. New
paint scheme and titles "Great Barrier Airlines", Interior completely
refurbished and with Transport CofA for airline use. 8 passenger
seats, fitted with stereo headphones. |
| 2.84 |
Commenced Great Barrier Airlines service from Auckland to Claris
on Great Barrier Island |
| 85 |
Drover replaced by BN-2A Islander ZK-JSB |
| 14.10.85 |
Change of ownership: Michael C. Kelly, Mosgiel,
trading as Southair |
| 4.5.88 |
ZK-DDD departed Auckland-Kietaia-Norfolk Island on ferry flight
to Australia |
| 8.5.88 |
ZK-DDD ferried Norfolk Island-Lord Howe Island-Sydney, pilot David
Squirrel. |
| 9.5.88 |
Ferried Sydney to Berwick Vic by David Squirrel, where handed
over to new owner. |
| 19.6.88 |
ZK-DDD noted at Berwick Vic |
| 1.7.88 |
Struck-off NZ Register as sold to Australia |
|
Hurried Australian certification to enable it to participate in
the coming air race around Australia, sponsored by TV Channel 10 |
| 15.9.88 |
Registered VH-FBC Robert E. Youl,
Melbourne Vic t/a Cavalier Colours Pty Ltd |
| 18.9.88 |
Departed Narromine NSW as entrant in the Bicentenary Around Australia
Air Race. The 20 day event covered a route around the country of 7,000
miles. Race No. 121. Painted white with yellow & blue trim, name Tania on nose, also
“DHA-3 Mk.IIIA" De Havilland Drover”. Cavalier Colours and Channel 10 titles and logo.
(Note: Roman numerals were never used for Drover models)
|
| 30.9.88 |
Race entrants passed through Hamilton Vic |
23.10.88
|
Visitor at RAAF Laverton airshow Vic, Cavalier Colours titles on tail and lower fuselage painted over
|
| 10.89 |
Purchased for $175K from Cavalier Colours by Powerhouse
Museum, Sydney
(Purchase made possible by special grant by the Ministry for the
Arts) |
| .89 |
Ferried from Victoria to Bankstown by David Squirrel and Brett
Young. |
| 27.11.89 |
Handed over to Power House Museum in ceremony at Bankstown, by
the Federal Minister for the Arts, Hon. Peter Collins. |
| 2.9.93 |
Register Change of ownership: Powerhouse
Museum, Sydney |
| 3.9.93 |
Struck-off Register |
| 14.1.98 |
noted at Bankstown in hangar, appears airworthy, Name Tania |
| 99-17 |
Loaned to Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown
Airport, Sydney.
Displayed inside the musuem hangar, maintained in good condition. White with yellow and blue trim.
(on loan from the Powerhouse Museum until they have room to display
the Drover) |
.18
|
Australian Aviation Museum closed. The majority of its aircraft collection placed up for sale
|
.18
|
VH-FBC acquired by Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre, Broken Hill Airport NSW.
|
3.18
|
Dismantled at Bankstown by a team of RFDS and HARS volunteers. Moved by road to Broken Hill.
Assembled by volunteer retired LAME Jim Shannon.
|
8.20
|
Assembly completed inside the RFDS Visitor Centre hangar. A
HARS team from Albion Park arrived in August 1920 to assist Jim Shannon
with final components - tailplane, engines and control surfaces with cabling. During the following week the completed Drover was painted in accurate green and white RFDS scheme. The red crosses and RFDS titling to be added when funds allow.
|
|
Current
|
Mk.3A
VH-FDA at Parafield April 1963 on a medivac from Broken
Hill.
Photo by Geoff Goodall
Traded on a Beagle 206 and re-registered VH-UNK, at Sydney
Airport November 1967. Photo by Roger McDonald
Now
VH-UMA, at Bankstown December
1968.
Photo by Roger McDonald
ZK-DDD
with Mercury Airlines at Whitianga NZ
in January
1971.
Photo by Peter Gates
In a new Mercury Airlines paint scheme, seen at Whenuapai NZ in
December
1975.
Photo by Nigel Daw
ZK-DDD
at Auckland-Ardmore in March 1985, Great Barrier
Airlines.
Photo by Paul Howard
ZK-DDD
on return to Australia, at Berwick Vic on 19 August
1988.
Photo by Roger McDonald
VH-FBC
at Perth-Jandakot WA in September 1988 during the Bicentenary Around Australia
Air Race, race number 121.
Photo by Geoff Goodall
VH-FBC's
cockpit
Photo by Ben Dannecker
Displayed
at the Bankstown Aviation Museum during
2015.
Photo by Ian McDonell
VH-FBC displayed at the RFDS Visitor Centre at Broken Hill Airport during January 2021. She will be finished in the
markings of Broken Hill based RFDS Drover VH-FDA "The Inlander". Photo by Jim Shannon, who restored this Drover
as well as ex-RAAF GAF Nomad A18-318, which has been painted to represent a RFDS Nomad.
C/n
5020
Mk.2
VH-AHZ, VQ-FAH, VP-PAE, VH-PAB, VH-DHM
|
Built by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown
Airport, Sydney NSW. C/n 5020 |
| .53 |
Completed at Bankstown.
Final assembly of this unsold airframe was expedited by DHA to provide
an aircraft to flight test the proposed double-slotted flaps modifications.
Following the grounding of Drovers due propeller failures, the company
was committed to improve the performance of the interim model with
fixed pitch Fairey-Reed propellers (Mk.1F) |
| 3.2.53 |
First flight Bankstown |
| 3.2.53 |
CofA issued |
| 12.2.53 |
DHA Delivery date. Retained by DHA in standard passenger configuration.
|
| 53 |
Used for test flying of flap modifications during the development
of the Drover Mk.2. Local flying in the Bankstown area was approved
by DCA without a Certificate of Registration. |
| 12.3.54 |
Registered as Drover Mk.2 VH-AHZ De
Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney |
| 6-7.54 |
Flew
route survey for the planned 1954 Redex Air Trial around
Australia:
Sydney-Brisbane-Townsville-Darwin-Wyndham-Oslow-Perth-Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney.
DHA provided the Drover flown by Rollo Kingsford-Smith, company Sales
Manager, carrying Don Huxley, CFI of the Royal Aero Club of NSW which
was organising the trial, and Athur Affleck of DCA. Stopped at
all airfields along the proposed route to check facilities. As a result
of the survey, the route was shortened and the remote WA section
removed, replaced by Darwin-Alice Springs-Adelaide.
|
7.54
|
noted at Wyndham WA during the air trial survey.. Metallic with white roof.
|
| 8.54 |
Ferried
from Bankstown to Cloncurry on loan to Trans Australia Airlines while
the Cloncurry based Drover VH-DRE was sent to Bankstown for conversion
to Mk.2.
TAA’s Cloncurry based pilots at that time were Captains Jim Murtha and Phil Allen, RFDS Doctor was Dr. Ewell Smith
|
25.8.54
|
Pilot log: VH-AHZ Cloncurry-McKinlay-Cloncurry, TAA Captain Jim Murtha
|
27-29.8.54
|
Pilot log: Cloncurry-Gregory Downs-Lorraine-Kamileroi-Cloncurry. TAA Cpt Jim Murtha with Dr.Smith RFDS
|
22.9.54
|
Pilot log: Cloncurry-McKinlay-Cloncurry, TAA Captain Jim Murtha, Dr Smith RFDS
|
23.9.54
|
Pilot log: Cloncurry-Lorraine-Cloncurry, TAA Captain Jim Murtha, Dr. Smith RFDS
|
24.9.54
|
Pilot log: Cloncurry-Headingly-Cloncurry-Croydon-Normanton, Jim Murtha, Dr. Smith RFDS
|
25.9.54
|
Pilot log: Normanton-Mornington Island-Burketown-Doomangee-Cloncurry, Jim Murtha & Dr.Smith
|
28-29.9.54
|
Pilot log: Cloncurry-Alexandra-Cloncurry, Jim Murtha with Dr.Smith RFDS
|
5-6.10.54
|
Pilot log: Cloncurry-Carandotta-Tobermorey-Springvale-Cloncurry, Jim Murtha with Dr.Smith RFDS
|
7-8.10.54
|
Pilot log: Cloncurry-Neumayer Valley-Normanton-Mornington Island-Burketown-Doomangee-Cloncurry,
TAA Captain Jim Murtha with Dr.Smith RFDS
|
| c54 |
photo at Brisbane Airport, parked at TAA hangar with TAA Dragon.
|
| 1.1.55 |
Change of Ownership: Andrew Thyne Reid, Sydney
NSW |
|
Thyne
Reid held senior management positions in James Hardie Rubber and Golden
Fleece Petroleum, owned rural properties and was a keen pilot, owning
Cierva Autogiro VH-USR prewar then DHA-built DH.84Dragon VH-AFH |
|
Thyne Reid entered into a long-term loan arrangement to Royal
Aero Club of NSW, Bankstown. The aero club badge was painted
on the Drover |
6.56
|
Brian
Blackjack Walker flew a Drover from Sydney to Horne Island off the
northernmost tip of Queensland carrying a dismantled P&W S1H1G
Wirraway engine for a grounded Junkers Ju 52 of Gibbes Sepik Airways
which was en route New Guinea to Sydney. The Drover was almost certainly VH-AHZ
|
| 29.5.60 |
Displayed at Bankstown airshow, in static aircraft park alongside
newly converted Mk.3 VH-FDA |
| 28.1.61 |
Drovers AHZ & BMU took part in Royal Aero Club of NSW mass
flight from Bankstown to Coffs Harbour NSW, with 20 other aircaft |
| 16.3.62 |
visited Cootamundra NSW airshow |
| 17.11.62 |
visited West Maitland-Rutherford NSW airshow |
19.11.62
|
noted at Bankstown
|
| 29.3.64 |
noted at Bankstown, metallic, white roof, RAeCNSW badge |
| 18.4.64 |
visited Hobart-Cambridge Tas |
| 23.5.64 |
noted at Bankstown, metallic and white, RAeCNSW badge |
| .65 |
Sale negotiated to New Hebrides Airways from the Estate of the
late A. T. Reid |
| 31.7.65 |
noted at Bankstown undergoing overhaul prior to delivery to New
Hebrides |
| 13.8.65 |
Change of ownership: New Hebrides Airways
Ltd, Port Vila, New Hebrides |
| 13.8.65 |
Struck-off Australian Register |
| 13.8.65 |
noted at Bankstown, repainted as VQ-FAH. Same metallic finish
with white roof |
| 14.8.65 |
VQ-FAH noted at Bankstown |
| 15.8.65 |
Registered VQ-FAH New Hebrides Airways
Ltd, Port Vila, New Hebrides
(New Hebrides did not have an Aircraft Register so Fiji authorities
agreed to inclusion on the Fijian Register) |
| 8.65 |
VQ-FAH noted at Mascot |
| 18.8.65 |
Departed Bankstown on ferry flight to New Hebrides |
| 26.8.65 |
VQ-FAH noted at Port Moresby on ferry flight to New Hebrides |
| 9.65 |
Arrived Port Vila |
11.65
|
Struck
trees on landing approach to Tongoa airstrip, damaging the
undercarriage and wing. 9 passengers on board, but no injuries.Repaired
on site by an engineering team sent by Hawker de Havilland Pty Ltd,
Sydney. Returned to airline service.
|
3.12.65
|
Recovery from trees completed by a work party from Hawker De Havilland Australia, Sydney.
Repairs expected to be completed 10.12.65
|
| 1.6.66 |
Re-registered VP-PAE New Hebrides
Airways Ltd, Port Vila
(Transferred to the newly established
New Hebrides Civil Aircraft Register)
|
12.66
|
CofA renewal inspection, returned to service
|
|
Bob Paul, founder of New Hebrides Airways wrote in 1986: "VP-PAE
was a good aircraft and gave us a good run. It struck trees on approach
to Tongoa airstrip and undercarriage and wing damaged - repaired
by Hawker De Havilland on site. Nine passengers on board and no
serious injuries. Sold to Jim Hazelton." |
| .67 |
Sold to James D. Hazelton/Hazair Sales & Service Pty Ltd, Orange NSW
Jim Hazelton also operated Navair Pty Ltd, Bankstown NSW |
| 6.9.67 |
Hazair Sales & Service requested DCA to reserve registration
VH-PAB, indicating planned resale to Pastoral Aviation
|
| 9.67 |
VP-PAE ferried Honiara to Sydney, pilot Jim Hazelton |
| 9.67 |
VP-PAE noted at Bankstown |
| 6.10.67 |
Change of ownership: Hazair Sales &
Service Pty Ltd, Orange NSW |
| 6.10.67 |
Struck-off New Hebrides Register |
1.68
|
Purchased from Hazair by Merv Ward, Brisbane Qld
|
| 2.2.68 |
Registered as VH-PAB Pastoral Aviation
(Queensland) Pty Ltd, Archerfield Airport, Brisbane Qld c/- Merv
Ward |
|
Merv Ward had previously operated DH.89 Rapides VH-BIF & ECW
for aerial seeding and dingo baiting. VH-PAB was fitted with an aerial
seeding chute installed in the cabin door. |
| 24.3.68 |
noted at Coolangatta Qld, departed for Roma |
| 7.9.68 |
noted at Archerfield Qld with seeding chute fitted in cabin door,
"Pastoral Aviation" titles. Also 23.3.69, 17.5.69, 11.10.69, 23.10.69
|
| 23.10.69 |
noted at Archerfield, with seeding chute, "Pastoral Aviation"
titles |
| 24.9.70 |
noted at Toowoomba Qld, "Pastoral Aviation" |
| 1.71 |
noted at Blackall Qld "Pastoral Aviation" |
| 18.12.71 |
Nominal change of ownership: Mervyn Ward,
Toowoomba Qld |
| 17.1.72 |
noted at Toowoomba, "Pastoral Aviation" titles, long grass underneath |
| 21.11.72 |
Change of ownership: Geoffrey N. Dodge,
Currie, King Island, Bass Strait
(Acquired to carry crayfish to Melbourne, and mutton birds from strips
on small islands) |
| 27.6.73 |
Change of ownership: William A. Mitton,
Melbourne Vic |
| 6.73 |
noted at Moorabbin, paint stripped, rear fuselage repainted dark
brown |
| 10.73 |
noted at Moorabbin |
10.11.73
|
noted at Moorabbin, repainted in bright orange and white scheme
|
| 9.12.73 |
visited RAAF Point Cook flyin, new orange and white paint scheme |
| 4.5.74 |
noted at Essendon, good condition |
| 10.7.76 |
noted at Tyabb Vic, weathered paintwork, control surfaces removed |
| 6.12.76 |
noted at Tyabb Vic, props removed, high grass under aircraft |
| 3.10.77 |
noted at Morwell Vic |
| 30.12.77 |
noted at Morwell Vic |
1.1.78
|
noted at Morwell, now restored, new orange and white paint scheme
|
| 78-80 |
based at Morwell, used for private flying, airframe and engines
reported in poor condition |
| 5.4.80 |
flying at Morwell flyin |
| 8.8.81 |
Change of ownership: Hawker De Havilland
Australia Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW |
|
Purchased by Hawker De Havilland for a planned flying collection
of De Havilland types. |
| 18.9.81 |
Arrived at Bankstown on ferry from Victoria. |
|
The Drover underwent long-term restoration at Bankstown by the
company's engineering apprentices |
| 6.6.86 |
First flight at Bankstown after restoration for De Havilland Vintage
Flight |
| 11.6.86 |
next test fight at Bankstown |
| 19.11.86 |
Re-registered VH-DHM Hawker De Havilland
Ltd, Bankstown NSW
Also reregistered same day were HdeH's DH.82 VH-DHV and DH.84 VH-DHX |
| 1.2.87 |
VH-DHM noted at Bankstown |
| 29.2.87 |
VH-DHM flew at Moorabbin airshow in a "DH on parade" item |
| 22.4.88 |
Departed Archerfield Qld as an entrant in Australian Bicentenary
Air Race |
| 12.10.88 |
visited RAAF Richmond airshow, "De Havilland Drover" titles
above windows |
| 4.5.91 |
noted at Bankstown, "De Havilland Drover" titles |
| 28.2.93 |
Arrived Adelaice-Parafield after ferry flight from Bankstown. Now based at Parafield
|
| 7.6.93 |
Nominal change of ownership: Hawker De Havilland
Ltd c/- Australian Aviation College, Parafield SA |
| 3.4.93 |
noted at Parafield, airworthy. based here. "De Havilland Drover"
titles, restored passenger interior, Gipsy engines |
| 4.94 |
visited Mangalore Vic airshow, "De Havilland Drover" titles |
8.6.96
|
VH-DHM flew from Parafield to Longreach Qld, to be displayed at a Qantas Founders Museum event.
Returned to Parafield two days later.
|
| 12.1.00 |
Nominal change of ownership: British Aerospace
Flight Training (Australia) Pty Ltd, Parafield Airport SA |
| 7.4.00 |
Nominal change of ownership: BAe Systems
Flight Training (Australia) Pty Ltd, Parafield |
| .00 |
Loan to Historical Aircraft Restoration
Society, Sydney NSW, later Wollongong NSW |
| 6.00 |
Ferried Parafield-Bankstown by Sandy Howard of HARS, with 3 other HARS pilots on board
|
| 19.9.00 |
Nominal change of ownership: Hawker De Havilland
Pty Ltd, Bankstown |
10.00
|
Flown
Bankstown-Bathurst by HARS pilots Sandy Howard and Gary Squire. At
Bathurst flew a photographic sortie in formation with Charlie Camilleri
in his Drover VH-ADN
|
| 01/05 |
Loaned to Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown
Airport, Sydney
Displayed inside museum hangar, maintained airworthy. Metallic,
blue and white paint scheme, "De Havilland Drover" titles above
the windows. Gipsy Major engines. |
| 24.5.03 |
First flight Bankstown after overhaul by HARS |
| 5.9.03 |
VH-DHM visited Archerfield Qld airshow, operated by HARS, "De
Havilland Drover" titles |
| 18.10.03 |
noted at Bankstown in Australian Aviation Museum hangar, with
Drover 3B VH-FBC |
| 6.12.05 |
Nominal change of ownership: Hawker De Havilland
Aerospace Pty Ltd, Bankstown |
| 22.4.06 |
visited Narrandera NSW flyin, white and blue, "De Havilland Drover"
above windows |
| 08 |
based at Wollongong with HARS |
| 26.10.08 |
visited NAS Nowra NSW airshow |
| 28.3.11 |
visited Temora NSW fly-in, white and blue, "De Havilland Drover"
above windows |
| .11 |
Nominal change of ownership: Boeing Aerostructures
Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney, operated by Historical Aircraft Restoration
Society, Wollongong NSW |
|
Current. Operated by HARS at Albion Park NSW. No recent reports of it being seen flying.
|
VH-AHZ
at Bankstown May 1964, with Royal Aero Club of NSW wings
below the cockpit. Photo by Barney Deatrick
VH-PAB
starboard side, Archerfield March
1969.
Photo by Roger McDonald
Port
side, Archerfield September 1968, seeding chute fitted to the cabin
door.
Photo by Geoff Goodall
VH-PAB
at a RAAF Point Cook fly-in in December 1974, while being
repainted.
Photo by Roger McDonald
VH-DHM
at RAAF Richmond October 1988, following a 5 year
restoration.
Photo by Tony Arbon
Watts
Bridge Qld fly-in, August 2004, with paintwork changes on
tail.
Photo by Bert van Drunick
References:
- Drover Diary, Ben Dannecker: incomplete book draft 1982, plus Ben's research notes and photographs
-
1987 summary of DHA-3 research by Ben Dannecker: correspondence with
pilots and owners
-
Australian Civil Aircraft Register, Department of Civil Aviation and
its successors
-
DCA aircraft registration files, National Archives of Australia
-
British Civil Register, Civil Aviation Authority: G-INFO website
-
RAAF Status Card, Drover VH-DHA
-
British Civil Aircraft Since 1919, A. J. Jackson, Putnum & Co,
London 1973
-
De Havilland Aircraft since 1909, A. J. Jackson, Putnum & Co,
London 1978
-
British Independent Airlines since 1946, Tony Merton-Jones, LAAS
& Merseyside Aviation Society 1976
-
British Civil Aviation News, Air Britain, fortnightly journal, various
references 1958-1970
-
Rag & Tube, Antique Aeroplane Assocation of Australia, quarterly
newsletter, Drover updates
-
Lindeman Aerial Services, 3rd level Operators series, Roger McDonald,
AHSA Journal
-
Roger McDonald: research library on Australian airlines and routes
-
Peter Lewis, history of ZK-DDD, Wings over NZ Aviation Forum, April
2007
-
Taking Off, Pioneering Small Airlines of New Zealand 1945-1970,
Richard Waugh 2003
Tailpiece....
Ron
Lee's restored RFDS Drover 3B VH-FDU at sunrise, Wangaratta Vic
September
2006.
Photo by Phil Vabre
Taxying
on two. Charlie Camilleri arrives at Narromine NSW in September 2007
in his Drover Mk.2 VH-ADN. Photo by Phil Vabre
|
