Australia's famous Flying Doctor Service began in the late 1920s, with QANTAS using a D.H.50 to fly the world's first service of this type; in the first year the doctor made 50 flights, saw 250 patients and covered 32,187km.

A series of other standard aircraft continued the service. Something larger was required after World War II, and the new de Havilland Australia DHA-2 Drover eight-seat light transport was chosen. The Drover was based broadly on the D.H.104 Dove, but had three 108kW Gipsy Major 10 Mk 2 engines and tail-wheel landing gear. The prototype Drover flew on 23 January 1948 and versions were offered with variable- and fixed-pitch propellers as the Drover 1 and Drover 1F respectively; the Drover 2 had double-slotted flaps. Limited construction began in 1949 and 20 had been built when production ended in September 1953.

Customers for the Drover included Qantas, Trans-Australian Airlines and Fiji Airways, the last being the only export customer. In Royal Flying Doctor Service the Drover carried two medical staff and two stretcher patients; all six aircraft were converted in 1960 to have Avco Lycoming O-360 engines under the revised designation Drover 3.

3-View

A three-view drawing (886 x 658)