AN exciting new addition has been unveiled at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame (ASHOF) in Longreach today, just in time for what is hoped to be a bumper tourist season in Outback Queensland.
An original Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) aircraft, a Queen Air built in 1977, has been meticulously restored and is now on display, suspended in the atrium of the Hall.
CEO Lloyd Mills said the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame had long been interested in featuring the Queen Air and is delighted that this vision has been realised today by their continued close collaboration with the RFDS.
“In 2012 we were pleased to partner with the RFDS to host the Flying Doctor story," Mr Mills said.
"The addition of the restored Queen Air will certainly complement the existing exhibit and give visitors further insight into the operations of this iconic organisation,” he said.
Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) CEO, Nino Di Marco, said the installation was an impressive engineering feat and that the aircraft represented an important part of RFDS aviation history.
“Queen Airs were well regarded aircraft in their time and were operated by the RFDS in Queensland from 1967 – 1992,” Mr Di Marco said.
Retired Pilot Capt. Nick Watling, who flew this aircraft for the RFDS, said the entire Queen Air fleet played a vital part in delivering healthcare to rural and remote Queensland for 25 years.
“This particular aircraft operated from 1978 – 1992 and was involved in both clinics and patient evacuations while being stationed at Cairns and Mount Isa, with its last flight on April 7th of that year” Mr Watling said.
For more information about Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, please visit http://outbackheritage.com.au or call (07) 4658 2166.
