Evaluating the Australian triple-engined airliner that never quite made the grade
Just after the end of World War Two, de Havilland Aircraft Pty at Bankstown, Sydney, decided it was time to replace that stalwart of the Australian skies, the 1930s’ DH84 Dragon, with something more modern. What was needed was a multi-engined, all-metal aircraft that could serve as a feederliner as well as meeting the needs of the allimportant Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Back in Britain, the parent company at Hatfield had already introduced the very successful twin-engined DH104 Dove and its military version, the Devon, and was on the cusp of launching a four-engined variant, the DH114 Heron. The latter would be a true low-cost replacement for the pre-war and ill-fated DH86 biplane, with a fixed and faired undercarriage to keep it cheap and simple. Later, of course, the benefits of folding wheels on cruising speed and operational costs would generate the Heron Mk2, with fully retractable landing gear.
The Australian answer was the six to nine-seater DHA-3 Drover — a six-seater with toilet and large baggage area, or a nine-seater without toilet and with smaller freight capacity. Power came from three 145hp DH Gips…
