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| Australia's famous Flying Doctor Service
began in the late 1920s, with QANTAS
using a D.H.50 to fly the world's first service
of this type; in the first year the doctor
made 50 flights, saw 250 patients
and covered 32,187km.
A series of other standard aircraft continued
the service. Something larger
was required after World War II, and the
new de Havilland Australia DHA-2
Drover eight-seat light transport was
chosen. The Drover was based broadly
on the D.H.104 Dove, but had three
108kW Gipsy Major 10 Mk 2
engines and tail-wheel landing gear. The
prototype Drover flew on 23 January
1948 and versions were offered with
variable- and fixed-pitch propellers as the
Drover 1 and Drover 1F respectively;
the Drover 2 had double-slotted flaps.
Limited construction began in 1949 and
20 had been built when production
ended in September 1953.
Customers for the Drover included
Qantas, Trans-Australian Airlines and Fiji
Airways, the last being the only export
customer. In Royal Flying Doctor Service
the Drover carried two medical staff and
two stretcher patients; all six aircraft
were converted in 1960 to have Avco
Lycoming O-360 engines under the revised
designation Drover 3.
 | A three-view drawing (886 x 658) |
| MODEL | Drover 3 |
| ENGINE | 3 x Avco Lycoming O-360-A1A flat-four pistone engines, 134kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 2948 kg | 6499 lb |
| Empty weight | 1860 kg | 4101 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 17.37 m | 57 ft 0 in |
| Length | 11.13 m | 37 ft 6 in |
| Height | 3.28 m | 11 ft 9 in |
| Wing area | 30.19 m2 | 324.96 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 254 km/h | 158 mph |
| Cruise speed | 225 km/h | 140 mph |
| Ceiling | 6095 m | 20000 ft |
| Range | 1448 km | 900 miles |
| Noel Spalding, e-mail, 20.07.2014 11:29 The Drover 3 VH-FDU is currently undetgoing work to put it back in the air at Caboolture Qland. reply | | bill gibson, e-mail, 12.10.2012 16:31 similar to the dc 3 reply | | Scott, e-mail, 02.08.2012 15:15 There was a Drover at Morwell when I was in air cadets back in 84-86. My father and I were trying to find out who owned it to investigate a possible purchase. Last I saw of it, it went into a new hanger in Morwell with a Mustang replica or rebuild. Last seen in early 90's. reply | | caj.young@y7mail.com, 06.05.2012 14:54 I used to jump from a Lycoming drover zk-ddd at Whenuapai Auckland in about 1978. reply | |
| | John Oakes, e-mail, 08.09.2011 22:52 In the 1960s there was a Drover at Squires Gate Blackpool.
Can't remember the reg but Air Navigation had it I think.
No photos but it certinly was a Drover--in a sad state as I remember--try NWAN if you need more info they are the experts. reply | | ronco37, e-mail, 23.07.2011 22:22 Anyone know what has happened to the Drover which was at Lasham? It was in bits - but looked as it would be possible to restore it? reply | | beifang, 21.06.2011 05:25 Also, if it ain't too much trouble, would this wing be any different to say the P-47 Thunderbolt Republic? (I'm doing a comparison of the two at the moment) Thanks heaps for you help reply | | Hal Moloney, e-mail, 06.06.2011 09:47 More a question than comment. A Drover was used as the survey plane for the 1954 REDeX Air Trial. Need information such as "The owner" and "Registration No" for a forthcoming book, probably a tough call. Appreciate any information
Regards,
Hal Moloney reply | | Joe Mulders, e-mail, 05.12.2010 07:26 New Hebrides Airways Ltd. flew Drovers from the early 1960s until the end of 1960s in the islands which is now Vanuatu.We started with the MKI and bought later on the modified MK III from Hawker de Havilland with Lycoming engines and the V tail.One crashed on the island of Tanna with a loss of 9 lives in 1967 and one was destroyed when landing in Lolowai,in 1969.The last remaining Drover was returned to Australia and replaced by BN-2s when Qantas took over the management of the small airline end in 1969. . reply | | John Brownjohn, e-mail, 23.10.2010 14:13 To my knowlege there are only two flying Drovers. One at HARS, Albion Park (Which I maintain) and one with Charlie Camilleri at Bathurst. These are Gipsy major powered.There is a Lycoming one at Bankstown Aurcraft museum. (Non flying) One on a pole at Mt Isa.
I know of no plans to export any of these.
Wing structure is normal DH design with a single main spar pin jointed to the wing section. Due to corrosion problems the joint must be inspected on a regular (was annual, now three yearly) basis This an onerous undertaking.
The wing has quite a large span and is of standard construction. Main spar and ribs. I think that the fin area is too small for the wingspan and reults in control difficulties. Ie tends to wander and must be wartched at all times.
The HARS aircraft, VH-DHM,was the last built. It has just completed an annual inspection and is in very good condition.
Can be viewed along with the rest of the HARS fleet Lockheed L1049 Constellation, Catalina, Neptunes, DC-4 Tiger Moth, Hawker Hunter, Macchi and others at Illawarra
Regional Airport, Albion Park NSW
I can be contacted on (02) 9524 9363 for any other information reply |
| ronco37, e-mail, 03.06.2010 17:42 Am I right in thinking that one of these aircraft is heading for england - and if so did it land at Hurn today? reply | | John Hancocks, e-mail, 15.05.2010 07:52 In 1988 a Gypsy engined Drover flew into Canberra, I believe it is now permanently based in Wangaratta - at Drage's Air World. Unlike some - I haven't been smoking anything funny. reply | | BOB JANE, e-mail, 12.05.2009 12:01 laykuuuuuu shuu cuz reply | | MOE, e-mail, 05.05.2009 14:22 I was wondering what the wing straucture of the drover is. I also am doing a comparison of two different lanes. How are the spars and ribs arranged and are there any unique features on the wings that might make this plane special?
Please need help reply | |
| | Ed, e-mail, 16.05.2008 13:19 lol typo, i was meant to say say "thanks heaps for YOUR help" :P reply | | Ed, e-mail, 16.05.2008 13:18 Hi there,
I would like to know what the wing structure of this plane is like? How are the spars and ribs arranged and are there any unique features on the wings that might make this plane special?
Also, if it ain't too much trouble, would this wing be any different to say the P-47 Thunderbolt Republic? (I'm doing a comparison of the two at the moment) Thanks heaps for you help.
Ed reply |
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