MITCHELL AERIAL SERVICES DE HAVILLAND DH 84 VH-AIA AT CAIRNS 1959
IN THE YEARS AFTER WORLD WAR TWO, AVIATION BECAME THE LIFE-BLOOD OF FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND. PILOTS AND PLANES KEPT REMOTE COMMUNITIES SUPPLIED AND HELPED PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE. AIR SERVICES COULD GET THROUGH WHEN THE WET CLOSED ROADS. LIFE IN FNQ WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HARDER WITHOUT THEM.
There are many memorable stories from those times, and I hope you can help dig up some more yarns.
In the early 50s, Neville Mitchell started a charter operation in Cairns called Mitchell Aerial Services.
NEVILLE MITCHELL'S BROTHER FRANK AT THE MAS BOOKING OFFICE
M-A-S flew all over FNQ until it was taken over by Bush Pilots AIrways (see https://rdontheroad.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/bush-pilots-airways-an-fnq-aviation-tourism-pioneer/)
Neville’s daughter Robyn and her husband Tony are putting together a family history. They’re keen to hear from anyone with Mitchell Aerial Services stories or memorabilia. Tony was an M-A-S pilot, and Robyn remembers growing up surrounded by a wonderful bunch of aviators. Click the audio player below to hear Robyn & Tony talk about Mitchell Aerial Services.
Can you help Robyn & Tony tell the story? Do you have a connection to Mitchell Aerial Services, a story, a photo? Leave a comment here or email me dinnen.richard@abc.net.au
The Mojowire 