An iconic piece of Australian aviation history, the de Havilland Drover aircraft, is being carefully restored after spending more than 45 years on display at Mount Isa’s George McCoy Park.
Just a few weeks ago, the aircraft was removed from its long-time position and relocated to the adjacent RFDS Mount Isa Base, where a temporary workshop has been established for the restoration project.
Head of Tourism at the RDFS, John Larkin, said the process of bringing the Drover down presented its own engineering challenges.
“In its current state, it's highly degraded. It's missing lots of parts, lots of panels and the rear portside stabiliser is gone,” John said.
“We haven’t been able to dismantle some parts of the aircraft yet because everything has rusted together.”
So far, the restoration team has spent 18 days on the project, successfully removing the wings, clearing the cobwebs and bird nests from the interior, and conducting a full, detailed assessment of the repairs required.
Their focus now is to ensure the wings can be reattached securely before they start manufacturing new aluminium parts and panels. They have temporarily reinstalled the right wing and landing gear and replaced more than 500 corroded rivets.
Meanwhile, a search is underway for a traditional sign writer to recreate the aircraft’s original markings, with painting to follow.
While the job is challenging, John said it's been a great opportunity for the team to collaborate with local contractors, aircraft engineers, and aviation enthusiasts who share a passion for the Flying Doctor’s history.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped us with parts and those who’ve donated pallets for the workshop,” John said.
“It’s a challenging job—but projects like this are very rewarding. You’re never quite prepared for what’s next.”
The project has been strongly supported by Mount Isa City Council, recognising the Drover’s role as both a local landmark and a vital part of the RFDS legacy.
With support from the community, the RFDS is ensuring that this aircraft will continue to inspire generations to come with plans to relocate it to the new Mount Isa Base and Visitor Experience Centre.
