Return of the Drover
An iconic piece of Australia’s aviation history, a de Havilland Drover aircraft, is being restored and relocated to the new Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) Mount Isa Base and Visitor Experience Centre.
With only 20 Drover's manufactured in the world, and just a handful left in existence, the aircraft is a significant asset to the Flying Doctor and Mount Isa community.
Drover's history
The Drover was designed in the late 1940s by Hawker de Havilland as a light passenger aircraft replacement for the de Havilland DH-84 Dragon biplanes in Australia.
It had similarities to the de Havilland Dove but was simpler in design to suit outback conditions. Only 20 Drovers were manufactured and were used by QANTAS Empire Airways, Trans Australia Airlines, the Department of Civil Aviation, the Commonwealth Department of Health - Northern Territory Medical Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
By 1967 the Flying Doctor Drover era came to an end when the RFDS (Queensland Section) replaced the aircraft with Beechcraft Queen Airs.
Ben Dannecker
Former RFDS pilot Ben Dannecker was the mastermind behind the Drover's original restoration in 1980.
Ben sourced parts from two separate aircraft, the VH-DRD and VH-AZN, to form a hybrid design aircraft. One was wrecked at Austral Downs Station in 1957 and the other wrecked on Mooraberree Station, south-east of Bedourie in 1952.
Thanks to support from locals including the Lions, Rotary and Apex Clubs, as well as Mount Isa Mines, the Drover was hoisted up onto poles at George McCoy Park as a reminder of the Flying Doctor's work and connection with the community.
Meet the restoration team
John Larkin - Head of RFDS Tourism
John has more than 30 years experience in tourism and has built 12 attractions across Australia, including the Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience Centre in Broken Hill and the RFDS Visitor Experience Centre in Dubbo.
Over the past few years, John has acquired and restored the entire RFDS fleet from New South Wales for display. Now, he’s the project lead for the new Mount Isa Visitor Experience Centre, which is set to open its doors in 2026, ahead of the organisation's centenary in 2028.
Jim Shannon - Aviation Engineer
Jim started his apprenticeship as an engineer in January 1980 with a small operator who had a Post Office contract in Far North Queensland delivering mail to remote cattle stations on Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria. This was when he gained his pilot licence.
He later gained his engineering licences and worked for Regional Express at Mascot for 18 years, retiring as the Group Engineering Training Manager in 2018.
During his retirement, Jim helped to refurbish the Visitor Experience Centres at Dubbo and Broken Hill. Jim assisted with the restoration of RFDS's historical fleet including a King Air and two Nomad aircraft for displays.
Lenita Woodsbey - Mount Isa local
Lenita completed her trade as an aircraft maintenance engineer in Bundaberg alongside legends of the game where we also restored and rebuilt several old aircraft to return them to gleaming flying machines.
Lenita believes the Drover restoration project is an opportunity to give back to the community in a field dear to her heart. This unique project will also support the RFDS and all the fabulous work they do.
Peter Braithwaite - Contractor
Peter is a highly regarded contractor in Queensland who has worked alongside John for many years to create the Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience Centre in Broken Hill and the RFDS Visitor Experience Centre in Dubbo.
The Flying Doctor's historic fleet
1928
de Havilland DH50
1937-1939
Fox Moth DH83
1942-1953
Dragon DH84
1952-1970
de Havilland Drover
1967-1978
Beagle B206
1978-1995
GAF Nomad
1987 onwards
Beechcraft King Air B200 & B350
2009-2019
Cessna Caravan 208B
2021 onwards
Beechcraft King Air B360
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