VH-AMB (1)  de Havilland D.H.84 Dragon              (c/n  2023)

                                   

                                         This DHA Dragon was built at Mascot for the RAAF as A34-34.  It was an early post-war disposal
                                         by the Commonwealth Disposals Commission for the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade and
                                         was first registered in November 1945.  Ben Dannecker's shot above (via Geoff Goodall) was taken
                                         at Cairns, circa 1949, where the machine was based to provide an air ambulance service to remote
                                         North Queensland towns.  It was equiped to carry two stretchers.    It was maintained for QATB by
                                         ANA and is seen in their hangar at Cairns, with an ANA Rapide parked behind.        VH-AMB was
                                         wrecked on 23 February 1949 when it crashed into trees on takeoff from Palmerville Qld.       It was
                                         replaced by the first of three DH.89 Rapides.