The Q.A.N.T.A.S. story begins with a realisation that the isolation of outback Queensland made it a promising, if surprising, place to start an airline.
When World War I flying aces Paul McGinness and Hudson Fysh were given a job scouting out a route and air strips for the 1919 London-to-Sydney Great Air Race, they came in first-hand contact with the difficulties in getting around in the bush.
GeorgeGorham, Paul McGinness and Hudson Fysh at the start of their epic survey trip (Photo: QANTAS Historical Collection)
The Q.A.N.T.A.S. Founders Outback Museum tells the story of how it all began:
Outback life medical practice in isolated places, the problems of road transport.
The principles of flight aerodynamic forces: lift, thrust, weight and drag, aircraft control: roll, pitch and yaw.
The big trip in 1919 Fysh and McMaster made a big trip in a Model T Ford to map and build airstrips for the Great Air Race. This crystallised the idea to found an airline.
Establishing Q.A.N.T.A.S. creating the company, the first fleet, scouting for passengers and investors, building airliners in Longreach and winnning the airmail tender.
Wings to the world how Q.A.N.T.A.S. developed into an international airline and became Qantas.
Early pilots a certain style: tales from an open cockpit.
Flying doctor how Q.A.N.T.A.S. played a major role in the establishment of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
