Queensland DC-3s Live On

The question, of course, is why would a successful owner/ operator of coaches want to delve into a specialised form of commercial aviation?

Don Nugent is no newcomer to the industry. He worked for Ansett Airways Ltd at Essendon in 1945 when the airline was initiating a re-equipment programme. DC-3s were acquired from US disposals in the Philippines and placed into service in 1946. A competition was held amongst the staff to name these aircraft, the company requirement being that the name ought to start with the letters ANS . . . for obvious reasons. Don Nugent submitted the name Anstratus, which was selected, and enthusiasts may be aware that the first of these aircraft, VH-AMK, went into service with the new name.

In 1959, Don Nugent obtained his private pilot’s licence, and three years later, purchased a coach service, and started the tour and charter operation – Rambler Tours. Since then, his coach interests have continued to grow while he has also taken an increasingly active interest in aviation, being the part owner in several aircraft and the full owner of VH-TLM, a 172, hangared close to his home near Coldstream in Victoria.

“In November 1987, a friend called to see me to discuss the possibility of tendering for the purchase of the Air Queensland DC-3s,” he told me. “A feasibility study was done and the idea was floated to several other friends who would be able to contribute. The prospect of winning the tender was not considered very likely as we knew the aircraft had been advertised internationally. Needless to say, we were pleasantly surprised at the outcome. ”

A number of appointments have been made within DC-3 Qld.

Acting manager for Cairns is Captain Lee Eborall (ex-Air Qld); chief pilot is Captain Lionel Griffith, previously an Ansett check captain on 727s, and with 3,000 hours DC-3 time logged with Ansett whilst in the Cairns region. in the 60s. Lewis Stokes, a Queenslander who organised ‘City Explorer Tours’ in Brisbane, is currently embarking on a tourist project emanating from that city and utilising DC-3s.

Tourism in Australia has undergone a tremendous growth in the last two years and is indeed one of our fastest growing export industries. For instance, the Australian Tourist Commission’s figures show an increase of 22% when comparing the first quarters of 1987 and 1988. Air Rambler are well aware of this and are actively marketing their services in Australia and overseas. “It is our prime intention to operate tours radiating from Cairns to a variety of destinations ranging from short scenic flights to week long tours to friendly destinations off the beaten track. Of course the proven three day tour of Cape York Peninsula will be continued. ”

This tour, entitled the Top of Australia Tour’, has been loyally retained in its content from Air Queensland, who ran it as the ‘Gooney Bird Tour’. It affords a comfortable aerial inspection of such features as Cooktown, Lizard Island, Thursday Island, Weipa and Edward River.

As with a number of other tourist operators in North Queensland at present, Air Rambler are noticing that Expo has claimed a fair percentage of the market. Unperturbed, they see this as a temporary situation and are currently concentrating on ad hoc charters.

Already, they have proved useful to Ansett and Australian, assisting both airlines on sectors where operational hiccups have occurred. One of the DC-3s, VH-BPL, will remain a dedicated freighter and DC-3 Queensland will actively pursue freight contracts with this aircraft in mind.

Another aircraft, recently added to the fleet is VH-LGI, a Piper Chieftain; already this aircraft has performed some colourful service – it recently transported three live crocodiles from Edward River to Cairns. The Chieftain will be used as a support aircraft to the DC-3s.

DC-3 Queensland obtained their charter licences on June 3rd, 1988. They have also moved into the old East-West terminal at Cairns Airport and will have their own hangar, previously owned by Air Queensland, on 1st October, 1988.

The DC-3s are currently being repainted and inscribed with the new livery and logos.

Is Don Nugent still as enthusiastic as he was on ‘day one’?

“Yes. Something that has emerged from our project investigation is the love of the DC-3 from people who have previously worked with them and the willingness to assist us in returning the ‘Gooney birds’ to North. Queensland.

“This includes air crew, engineers, resort operators, local people and the CAA; their contact with DC-3s was part of their daily life and it would seem that it gets in their blood. “