Pilot Martin Garrett from the TAA Airlines joined the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Charters Towers, Qlnd, in 1953 and often said - "he did not like the wood and fabric Dragon bi-plane, calling it a 'heap of junk'. The main problem was that it lacked the power to lift quickly on takeoff and did not readily maintain a reasonable height. And if one engine was faulty, it would not maintain height with the second alone, thereby forcing a premature landing. On one occasion when the second engine lacked compression, they had to jettison 90% of the baggage and only by this strategy did they safely reach Charters Towers."

Read his complete story on pp182-183 in Flynn's Outback Angels, Volume II, "Fulfilling the Vision," by Ivan Rudolph, ABC Books, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Queenland, Australia

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