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The new truck on the day of delivery in June 2005. Subsequently, signwriting (see inset) was added to the doors. The inscription states: "Proudly donated to the Queensland Air Museum by Caloundra RSL Sub Branch". The QAM name and website address have also been added to the bodywork. |
After thirty years
faithful service, QAM's old Dodge truck, which is affectionately
known as "Austral", has been pensioned off. ("Austral"
derives from the name of the previous owner, Austral Mining,who
made the vehicle available to QAM under very favourable circumstances).
Mounting maintenance costs and a shortage of spare parts are the
main reasons for Austral's retirement. As a replacement, QAM recently
took delivery of a new (by Museum standards!) Mazda truck. This
has been made possible by a generous donation from the Caloundra
Sub Branch of the RSL. Since the above photos were taken, a crane
has been fitted to the vehicle. As a continuance of existing naming
traditions, the new Mazda is now known as "Russell"!
QAM acknowledges its gratitude to the RSL.
