In January 1943 the Australian Government decided to commence production of the Bristol Beaufighter under the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) organisation at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne, Victoria from 1944. Design changes included the use of Hercules VII or XVIII engines and the replacement of the wing mounted 0.303 inch machine guns with 0.5 inch guns.
When production ended in 1946 a total of 364 Mk. 21 Beaufighters had been built.
Photos of the Australian Bristol Beaufighter Mk 21 by Identification Number
Loading rockets onto DAP Bristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-301 of 5OTURocket installation on DAP Bristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-301 of 5OTU Nov 1945Rocket installation on DAP Bristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-301 of 5OTU Nov 1945
Located at Dubbo Airport, just a ten minute drive from town, the Flying Doctor Visitor Experience is easy to get to. From the entrance to the airport, simply follow the signs to the visitor centre, where a large car park allows easy parking.
Flying Doctor Visitor Experience
Housed in a modern building, the museum uses state of the art audio visual displays to explain the history and operation of the RFDS.
RFDS History
The first room contains a large central audio visual display, surrounded by information boards. These detail the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which gives you a great insight into what the RFDS has achieved.
The History of the RFDS
Information Board Detailing the History of the RFDS
An Information Board Detailing the History of the RFDS
Information Board Detailing the History of the RFDS
Walk Through Displays
Just outside the history display is a replica of a King Air interior. This is a great display because it allows you to see what the RFDS aerial ambulance looks like. The interior is all set out, including the beds, medical equipment and pilot’s seat.
Replica Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air
Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air Replica
Replica Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air
Replica Interior of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air
Items on Display
Several display cases show some of the older equipment used, which contrasts with the latest technology on display.
Old Radios on Display
Medicines and Old Radios on Display
RFDS Treatment Room
Aircraft on Display at the Flying Doctor Visitor Experience
A retired Beechcraft Super King Air takes up one corner of the large auditorium, showcasing the main tool of the RFDS. A barrier surrounds the plane, but you are able to climb stairs to see into the interior.
In the Outback Trek Café, a de Havilland Fox Moth biplane replica contrasts with the modern King Air, demonstrating how far things have come since the early days of aviation.
Beechcraft B200 Super King Air VH-MVY of the Royal Flying Doctor Service
de Havilland Fox Moth VH-UQM Replica
Audio Visual Display
The centrepiece of both main rooms is an audio visual display. In the entry room, an interactive display allows you to hear people’s stories, while using headphones and a touch screen. In the large auditorium, a huge visual display runs a video, detailing medical emergencies and how they were treated. This gives a great insight into the RFDS operations and how important they are to remote locations around Australia.
Interactive Display
Large Visual Displays in the Auditorium
Outback Trek Café
After looking around the displays, the Outback Trek Café has a range of meals and refreshments, which is a great way to finish your visit. This area is spacious and provides a nice place to sit down and relax. An EH Holden used in the fund raising Outback Trek is on display here, along with the de Havilland Fox Moth biplane.
EH Holden at the Outback Trek Café
What Did We Think?
We though this was a great place to visit, because it shows the full history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in a modern setting. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in aviation or the RFDS.
