VH-RAJ (1) de Havilland D.H.104 Dove 5
(c/n 04119)
In the early 1960s there was money to be made in
shuttling scientists to and from Adelaide and
the Woomera
Rocket Range and the Maralinga Atomic Test Grounds. This
opportunity was not
lost on Robby's, who
acquired this Dove with which to participate in these shuttle runs.
C/n 04119 had
probably, in its lifetime, had more identities than any other
Dove. It was,
respectively, VP-KDG, VH-MAB, VH-AWF,
VH-MMP, VH-RAJ, VH-TLU,
VH-RCI,
and VH-CTS.
When the atomic test were ended, Robby's sold the Dove to S.A.
Air Taxis
Ltd. The two shots on
this page, both from the lens of Geoff Goodall's indubitable camera
were
taken
(above) at Parafield in early 1962 and (below) a year later at Adelaide
Airport.