DirectorJim Thorn
EditorMargaret Thorn
Business Development Manager
Head of StrategyMaria Davey
Sub EditorGayla Wilson
Graphic Designer
ContributorsEric Allen, Bob Bell, Paul Caldwell, Carlo Kopp, Dennis Newton, Dave Prosser, Fred Baudzus, John Macdonald, Stewart Wilson, John Spiers, Max Hawkins, Gordon Reid, Tony Arbon, Phill Gant, Stewart Fraser, Tony Self, Anthony Brown, Peter Gamble

Issue 46: September/October 1988

When word began to filter through the industry that Air Queensland were selling their four DC-3s that had become legendary in North Queensland, some wild and wonderful stories also began to circulate. “They’re definitely going offshore”, “Ansett have bought them”, “they’re going to be cannibalised for spares”, and so on.

The truth is that while these predictions were being proffered, the owners of one of Australia’s premier coach companies, Mr Don Nugent and his partners, were quietly bidding for the aircraft to complement their extensive coach operations. Australian Rambler Coaches were successful with their tender and a new name was created – DC-3 Queensland.

Once Don Nugent and his colleagues found themselves the unexpected, but gratified, owners of the DC-3 fleet (VH-EDC, -PWN, -BPL, -BPN), they immediately went ahead and purchased a fifth aircraft! The latter, VH-SBL, was owned by Rob Poynton of Aero Vandee Pty Ltd of WA. At the time of the purchase, however, it was operating out of Cairns, under charter to North East Airlines.

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