QAM AIRCRAFT - BEECH 65 QUEEN AIR VH-FDV

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BEECH 65 QUEEN AIR VH-FDV H.V. McKay
MSN LC-203
(AA000117)

QAM thanks Warren Letter for the donation of this aircraft.

JAN66

Aircraft fitted with Lycoming IGSO-480-A1E6 s/n L-1321-44 (LH) and s/n L-1322-44 (RH). (Source: 4)

23FEB66

Registered N9506Q to Floair Inc, Newton, Kansas. Floair specialised in aircraft ferry operations. (Source: 5)

MAR66

Arrived Sydney (KSA) on delivery from the US as N9506Q, painted white overall. (Source: 1)
Ferried under Export Certificate of Airworthiness E66366. (Source: 4)

15MAR66

Cancelled from the US Register as exported to Australia. (Source: 5)

Following airframe times are recorded as hours:minutes.

13APR66

Log Book No. 1 opened at 54:50 transferred from American Log Book. Aircraft flown for 1:15. (Source: 4)

15APR66

Aircraft inspected by Hawker de Havilland, Bankstown for issue of CofA. Labels fitted for flight manual stowage, emergency exits, smoking instructions and door operating instructions. Presto fire extinguisher fitted in cockpit. Amongst other checks the compass was swung and the aircraft weighed. Aircraft was certified by K. Beohm (Licence No 2541) Service Superintendent, Beechcraft. Flown for 0:45. (Source: 4)

18APR66

Flown for 2:30. (Source: 4)

19APR66

Flown for 2:30. (Source: 4)

19APR66

Registered VH-FDV to Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Victorian Section) Inc, 422 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. (Source: 3)
Based Derby WA, replacing Dove VH-FDV which became VH-TDV. The chosen registration was intended to signify Flying Doctor Victoria. (Source: 1)

21APR66

The aircraft was photographed at Essendon, Melbourne during its delivery flight to Perth and Derby. It was reported that half of the purchase price of $150,000 was raised by public appeal in Victoria. (Source: 7)
The photographs suggest that there might have been a naming ceremony held at Essendon.

22APR66

Arrived Jandakot from Bankstown on delivery to Civil Flying Services (WA) Ltd who held the contract to operate the aircraft based in Derby, WA. (Source: 1)
Flown for 11:30. (Source: 4)

The aircraft was named H.V. McKay in honour of Hugh Victor McKay (1865–1926) who was the Rev. John Flynn's financial backer for an "aerial experiment" which resulted in the formation of the Flying Doctor Service of Australia. H.V. McKay (pronounced as in "day") is best remembered for the creation of the Sunshine Harvester. (Source: 2)
Although based in Western Australia, the aircraft carried "Victorian Section" titles for the duration of its service with the RFDS.

23APR66

Queen Air VH-FDV and Dove VH-FDV (which it replaced) noted parked together at the CFS hangar at Jandakot. (Source: 1)

24APR66

Flown for 10:00. Presumably this is a ferry flight from Jandakot to Derby. (Source: 4)

12JUN66

100 hourly inspection. TT 170:07 (Source: 4)

21JUN66

Noted at Derby where the aircraft is based. (Source: 1)

21JUL66

Nosewheel failed to lock down. During subsequent inspections the nosewheel tyre was replaced. (Source: 4)

16SEP66

Left engine changed. s/n L-1321-44 off s/n L-1364-44 on. (Source: 4)

28SEP67

Right engine changed. s/n L-1322-44 off s/n L-1321-44 on. (Source: 4)

09OCT67

Noted at Derby. (Source: 1)

07MAR68

Left engine changed. s/n L-1364-44 off s/n L-1322-44 on. (Source: 4)

21APR68

Noted at Jandakot, Perth for maintenance. (Source: 1)

20OCT68

Noted at Perth Airport. (Source: 1)

09FEB69

Noted at Perth Airport. (Source: 1)

05JUL69

Right engine changed. s/n L-1321-44 off s/n L-1364-44 on. (Source: 4)

02MAY69

Left engine changed. s/n L-1322-44 off s/n L-1321-44 on. (Source: 4)

02SEP69

Right engine changed. s/n L-1364-44 off s/n L-1322-44 on. (Source: 4)

01DEC69

Noted at Derby. (Source: 1)

17APR70

Left engine changed. s/n L-1321-44 off s/n L-1364-44 on. (Source: 4)

18AUG70

Right engine changed. s/n L-1322-44 off s/n L-1321-44 on. (Source: 4)

25NOV70

Landed on an ag strip at at Camballin WA to check on status of Callair A9 VH-FBS which had been parked with its Emergency Locator Beacon inadvertently activated. (Source: 1)

18DEC70

Noted at Derby. (Source: 1)

24FEB71

Medical cabinet fitted to seat rail by Civil Flying Services (WA). (Source: 4)

07MAY71

Left engine changed. s/n L-1364-44 off s/n L-1322-44 on. (Source: 4)

07AUG71

Noted at Derby. (Source: 1)

05OCT71

Right engine changed. s/n L-1321-44 off s/n L-1664-44 on. (Source: 4)

Forced Landing with a Wing on Fire

19OCT71

Emergency landing at Lansdowne Station (60 miles NW of Halls Creek, WA) with smoke emanating from the port wing. A fire was extinguished after landing. Pilot was Jan Ende. (Source: 1)

A recovery crew travelled from Derby to Lansdowne Station on a chartered Cessna 337 (probably VH-DND). The recovery crew comprised:

Ray Wyle, LAME
Des Byfield, engineering apprentice
Bert Maude, pilot
Jan Ende, pilot and LAME

Mrs Quilty from Lansdowne Station helped to facilitate the recovery. VH-FDV was fitted with a replacement wing to enable a ferry flight to Perth for permanent repairs. The replacement wing came from Beech Queen Air VH-CFD which had suffered a collapse of the right main landing gear on landing at Perth on 15OCT71. The undamaged left wing was removed from VH-CFD and flown to Lansdowne Station in Hicks Aviation Shorts Skyvan VH-FSG which was based at Jandakot. The Skyvan arrived at Lansdowne Station on 6 or 7 November by which time the damaged wing from VH-FDV had been removed and was ready to return to Perth on the Skyvan. With the use of tape, the registration under the wing of VH-CFD was altered by covering the C and adding a V at the end! (Source: 6)

Read the DCA response to the incident.

The aircraft flew only 100 hours between OCT71 and APR72. (Source: 4)

10NOV71

Flew Derby-Meekatharra-Jandakot. (Source: 1)

11NOV71

Flew Jandakot-Perth Airport. (Source: 1)

22JAN72

Noted in the Hawker de Havilland hangar at Jandakot with the port wing removed. (Source: 1)

14MAR72

"Repairs to the port wing following damage by fire. Upper and lower skins between fwd and aft spar removed. Aft spar removed. Fuel cell liner assy box section removed. Fwd spar repaired to dwg 05-H-756 between rib stations 130.610 & 136.360. All ribs attached to fuel cell liner assy box replaced. Upper and lower stringers were replaced at 35%, 42%, 49%, 56%, 63% chord line. TE inboard skin renewed. Rear spar renewed. Wing reassembled. New aux fuel cells fitted and connected. Boost pump s/n 79781 fitted. Fuel transmitters replaced. Inter-wing wiring renewed. Wing fitted to aircraft with new bolts and nuts." Work performed by Hawker de Havilland, Jandakot. (Source: 4)

20MAR72

Flew Jandakot-Meekatharra-Derby after repairs. (Source: 1)

08APR72

Flew Jandakot-Meekatharra-Derby. (Source: 1)

12MAY72

Major inspection by Civil Flying Services (WA). (Source: 4)

22FEB73

Left engine changed. s/n L-1322-44 off s/n L-1622-44 on. (Source: 4)

18JUL73

A semi-trailer tanker exploded as fuel was being pumped into an underground storage tank at Moola Bulla Station twelve miles north-east of Hall's Creek. Suffering from severe burns, the driver was flown initially to Wyndham and later to Perth by the RFDS. The patient died in Royal Perth Hospital on 20JUL73. Just one hour before the explosion, a contactor was killed at Moola Bulla when he fell from a windmill which he was repairing. (Source: The West Australian 21JUL73)

26JUL73

While returning to Broome from a clinic circuit, VH-FDV was diverted to Bohemia Downs to evacuate the victims of a head-on road accident.The aircraft landed on a straight stretch of recently graded road with no obstructions some 32 miles east of Christmas Creek homestead at 0623Z. The road was blocked by radio equipped vehicles at each end. Three patients were transported to Derby on a VFR operation 1,000 feet above terrain. Two other patients were transported by an Army Pilatus Turbo Porter which was involved in exercises in the area. (Source: 6)

The Northern Times of 26JUL73 reported that a car had attempted to overtake a road train, the dust cload from which obscured an oncoming vehicle. Dr Tony Noonan from Broome travelled to the accident site on the RFDS Queen Air which was flown by Jan Ende. As the Queen Air could accommodate only three stretcher cases the remaining two patients were evacuated on an Army Pilatus Turbo Porter (incorrectly reported as an RAAF Caribou Ed.) which also landed on the highway. The newspaper report began; "The Royal Flying Doctor Service has again proved its value to the people of the Kimberley." and concluded; "The service has recently started an appeal for funds for a new aircraft. They deserve your support."

Two Forced Landings in One Day

13SEP73

Forced landing on the Derby-Fitzroy Crossing road after a fire warning on the port engine. The aircraft was cleared to ferry empty to Derby but another fire warning necessitated a second forced landing on a recently prepared oil rig airstrip known as Hardman Location. After further investigation the aircraft was cleared to ferry to Derby. (Source: 4)

Read the Incident Report by the Pilot

Read the report by the Flight Nurse

Long duty hours were a regular feature of flying for the RFDS. On numerous occasions RFDS pilots were asked to exceed their statutory Flight Time Limitations (FTL) to evacuate seriously ill patients. This required the submission of an Air Safety Incident Report (Form C.A. 225) to justify the formal declaration of a mercy flight. Landings on roads also required such paperwork. The following incidents (19OCT73, 30OCT73, 07DEC73 & 24JAN74) are recorded here because they are the only examples to have survived in Jan Ende's collection.

19OCT73

Air Safety Incident Report: A Public Health vehicle was involved in a road accident 50nm east of Derby on the Derby-Fitzroy Crossing road. The Sister was killed and the co-driver had suffered head and chest injuries. VH-FDV flown by Jan Ende landed on the road near the accident site and transported the patient to Derby. (Source: 6)

30OCT73

Air Safety Incident Report: Having already been on duty for 10 hrs 45 mins, Jan Ende was requested to evacuate a seriously ill baby from Fitzroy Crossing. Due to FTL a mercy flight was declared and the baby was flown to Derby in an otherwise uneventful flight. (Source: 6)

07DEC73

Air Safety Incident Report: En route from Broome to Derby at the end of a day's clinic circuit Jan Ende was requested to evacuate a patient with acute appendicitis from Fitzroy Crossing. Due to FTL a mercy flight was declared and the patient was duly evacuated to Derby. Total Duty Time 13 hrs 15 mins. (Source: 6)

24JAN74

Air Safety Incident Report: After an aborted clinic circuit due to wet airstrips and a subsequent evacuation from Fitzroy Crossing, Jan Ende was requested to evacuate a patient from Balgo Hills. Due to FTL a mercy flight was declared and VH-FDV departed Derby with Dr Graeme Innes and Sister Anne Drescher from Derby Hospital. The aircraft landed safely at Balgo after negotiating many thunderstorms en route at night. The doctor was able to stabilise the patient so the aircraft remained overnight and flew the patient to hospital the following morning. (Source: 6)
The flight is described by Jan Ende in this video

07FEB74

Right engine changed. s/n L-1664-44 off s/n L-1899-44 on. (Source: 4)

29JUL74

Registered to Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Victorian Section) Inc, 227 Collins Street, Melbourne. (Source: 3)

29SEP74

Noted in the CFS hangar at Jandakot. (Source: 1)

04JAN75

Left engine changed. s/n L-1622-44 off s/n L-1321-44 on. (Source: 4)

08MAR75

Arrived at CFS Jandakot from Derby. (Source: 1)

09MAY75

Major inspection by Civil Flying Services (WA). (Source: 4)

07NOV75

Right engine changed. s/n L-1899-44 off s/n L-1622-44 on. (Source: 4)

18OCT76

Left engine changed. s/n L-1321-44 off s/n L-1746-44 on. (Source: 4)

KNOWN RFDS PILOTS OF VH-FDV
Peter Barretto	MMA APR66-JUL67
Stewart 'Stewie' Taylor	MMA
Rod Blievers	CFS 16JUL67 to 06DEC67
John Whiting	CFS
Rod Blievers	CFS 06JUL68 to 12AUG68 (452 hours)
Peter Brooke	CFS 16AUG69 to 15JUL71 (796 hours)
Bert Maude	CFS
Jan Ende	CFS 24DEC69 to 1976

Summary of 100 Hourly Inspections during RFDS Service

Rod Blievers' RFDS Story

End of RFDS Service

21APR77

Noted in the Hawker de Havilland hangar at Bankstown. (Source: 1)

11MAY77

Change of ownership to Hawker de Havilland Australia Pty Ltd, Bankstown. (Source: 3)

22MAY77

Photographed outside the Hawker de Havilland hangar at Bankstown with a damaged radome.

17JUN77

Noted at Bankstown in HdeH hangar, paint stripped. (Source: 1)

12JUL77

Change of ownership to Brenton Miller trading as Skytours Air Charters, Adelaide. (Source: 3)

29JUL77

During a 100 hourly inspection by Hawker de Havilland the aircraft was completely stripped and repainted. A new two place couch was manufactured and fitted to the RH side of the cabin. The toilet was removed and the rear cabin bulkhead relocated. A shelf was installed in the baggage bay. The cockpit partition was removed and replaced with a curtain. Aircraft was reweighed. There is no mention of a replacement radome. (Source: 4)

02AUG77

Arrived Adelaide West Beach on delivery to Skytours Air Charter painted white with orange and red trim. (Source: 1) Picture

30SEP77

100 hourly inspection by Hawker de Havilland. TT 7799:05 (Source: 4)

20OCT77

100 hourly inspection by Masling Commuter Services. TT 7895:05 (Source: 4)

12MAY78

100 hourly and major inspection and compass swing by SAATAS, Parafield. TT 7995:05 (Source: 4)

18AUG78

100 hourly inspection by SAATAS, Parafield. TT 805:05 (Source: 4)

05JAN79

100 hourly inspection by Leach Aero Services, Alice Springs. TT 8192:20 (Source: 4)

18AUG79

Right engine changed. s/n L-1622-44 off s/n L-3086-33 on. (Source: 4)

21AUG79

100 hourly inspection by Kooinda Pty Ltd, Parafield. TT 8292:20 (Source: 4)

12NOV79

100 hourly inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 8388:54 (Source: 4)

02APR80

100 hourly inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 8490:05 (Source: 4)

30JUN80

Right engine changed. s/n L-1622-44 off s/n L-1260-44 on. (Source: 4)

29AUG80

100 hourly inspection by Kooinda, Alice Springs. TT 8590:05 (Source: 4)

25NOV80

100 hourly inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 8689:41 (Source: 4)

02MAR81

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 8787:12 (Source: 4)

04JUN81

Major inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. Left engine changed s/n L-1746-44 off s/n L3086-33 on. Compass swung. TT 8887:00 (Source: 4)

16OCT81

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 9014:03 (Source: 4)

12FEB82

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 9114:39 (Source: 4)

12MAR82

Right engine changed. s/n L-3086-33 off s/n L-2272-33 on. (Source: 4)

11JUN82

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 9210:30 (Source: 4)

14OCT82

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 9310:30 (Source: 4)

23FEB83

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 9406:38
Right engine changed L-2272-33 off L-2034-33 on. (Source: 4)

06MAY83

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 9506:43
New port elevator fitted. (Source: 4)

07JUN83

"Carried out temporary repair to wire strike damage stbd fuselage skin adjacent to prop." by Kooinda, Parafield. (Source: 4)

05JUL83

Periodic inspection by Kooinda, Parafield. TT 9606:45
"Repair carried out to stbd fuse." (Source: 4)

11OCT83

Avionics work by Rossair General Aviation Pty Ltd. (Source: 4)

End of Log Book No. 1

09DEC83

Periodic inspection by Southern Aircraft Maintenance, Parafield. TT 9706:45 (Source: 4)

12JUN84

All control surfaces refitted to aircraft by Southern Aircraft Maintenance after painting. (Source: 4)

06JUL84

Major inspection and compass swing by Kooinda Pty Ltd, Parafield. TT 9804:19 (Source: 4)

15NOV84

Periodic inspection by Kooinda Pty Ltd, Parafield. TT 9904:00 (Source: 4)

12AUG85

Periodic inspection by Kooinda Pty Ltd, Parafield. Right engine changed s/n L-2034-33 off s/n L-3117-33 on. Engine s/n L-3117-33 was previously fitted to Piaggio 166 VH-CAC. This engine was fitted when the aircraft was donated to QAM. TT 9998:27 (Source: 4)

12MAR86

Periodic inspection by Kooinda Pty Ltd, Parafield.

27AUG86

Left engine changed by Kooinda s/n L3086-33 off s/n L-3233-33 on. This engine had not been fitted to VH-FDV previously and it is not recorded where the engine came from. This engine was fitted when the aircraft was donated to QAM. (Source: 4)

19FEB87

Inspection by Aeroservice Pty Ltd. TT 10192:58 (Source: 4)

01SEP87

Major inspection by Aeroservice Pty Ltd. TT 10239:00 (Source: 4)

03DEC87

50 hourly inspection by Aeroservice Pty Ltd. TT not recorded (Source: 4)

02FEB88

50 hourly inspection by Aeroservice Pty Ltd. TT not recorded (Source: 4)

24JUN88

Periodic inspection by Aeroservice Pty Ltd. TT 10239:00 (Source: 4)

31AUG89

Maintenance by Aeroservice Pty Ltd. TT 10254:51 (Source: 4)

05MAR90

Change of ownership to Haycast Holdings Pty Ltd, Adelaide. (Source: 3)

15FEB92

Registered to Wayne W. Richie, Wahroonga NSW. (Source: 3)

Log book times change to decimal time.

21NOV92

Inspection by Regalair Pty Ltd to determine aircraft's serviceability for a ferry flight from Parafield to Bankstown. Side-facing seats removed. TT 10300.5 (Source: 4)

23NOV93

Change of ownership to Eamonn R. Dubickas, Annangrove NSW. (Source: 3)

03FEB94

Aircraft weighed by AeroWeigh. Empty weight 2402 kg. Aircraft is in a commuter config with 2 crew seats and 8 passenger seats. (Source: 4)

07APR94

Periodic inspection by Reliance Aviation. TT 10304.5 (Source: 4)

20MAY94

Registered to Joseph Dubrickas, Annangrove NSW. (Source: 3)

29APR95

Periodic inspection by Adams Aviation Pty Ltd.
Periodic inspection of radio installation by Navitron (Vic) Pty Ltd. TT 10331.0 (Source: 4)

20MAR96

100 hourly inspection by Atlas Aviation. TT 10377.6 (Source: 4)

13JUN96

Maintenance by Regalair Pty Ltd to correct excessive mag drop on right engine. Aircraft test flown and found satisfactory by owner's pilot. TT 10379.6 (Source: 4)

09AUG96

Registered to Eamonn R. Dubickas, Annangrove NSW. (Source: 3)

20FEB97

Change of ownership to Faxon Holdings Pty Ltd, Yangebup WA. (Source: 3)

26FEB97

Aircraft weighed by Neal R. Martin. Empty weight 2428.7 kg. Aircraft is in a cargo configuration. (Source: 4)

04JUL97

Change of ownership to Ritego Pty Ltd, Surfers Paradise Qld. (Source: 3)

23JUN98

Maintenance by Jet West Aviation Pty Ltd to prepare aircraft for a ferry flight. The log book lists 59 items most of which involve corrosion treatment. TT 10455.24

11DEC00

Change of ownership to Tevon Holdings Pty Ltd, Coolangatta Qld (Source: 3)

14DEC00

Final entry in Log Book No. 2. "Refer to loose leaf log book." (Source: 4)

03MAY01

Change of ownership to Targ Pty Ltd, South Tweed Heads NSW. (Source: 3)

27AUG02

Change of ownership to John V. Weymouth, Warnervale NSW. (Source: 3)

02FEB08

Registered to John V. Weymouth, Wyong NSW. (Source: 3)

30MAR08

Registered to John V. Weymouth, Dora Creek NSW. (Source: 3)

13FEB09

Change of ownership to High Voltage Engineering (TAS) Pty Ltd, Glass House Mountains Qld. (Source: 3)

02AUG20

First inspected by members of the QAM executive at Caloundra Aerodrome. An offer to donate the aeroplane to QAM did not proceed at this time.

28SEP21

Inspected again by members of the QAM executive at Caloundra Aerodrome.

06OCT21

Donated to QAM by Warren Letter. Relocation to QAM pending.

PROPELLER HISTORY
Currently Fitted - Left	Currently Fitted - Right
Hartzell HC B3Z20-2A Hub s/n 470J	Hartzell HC B3Z20-2A Hub s/n 913J
Previously Fitted To
VH-MWH	VH-CLH
VH-CLH	VH-CLI
VH-CLI	VH-MWH
VH-CFD	VH-ASY
VH-ASY

VH-FDV's Pilot and Engineer

A talk by RFDS pilot Jan Ende

The reference to VH-FDV commences at 9:50 but
watch from the beginning and you won't be disappointed.

Night Flight to Balgo

A talk by RFDS pilot Jan Ende

Describing a night time mercy flight in VH-FDV in extreme weather.

SOURCES
1	Geoff Goodall.
2	Australian Dictionary of Biography: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mckay-hugh-victor-699
3	Tony Arbon, AustAirData.
4	Aircraft log books held by QAM. Aircraft Log Book No. 1 (13APR66 to 01JUL83) QAM048727 Aircraft Log Book No. 2 (09DEC83 to 14DEC00) QAM048728 (Thence Loose Leaf Log Book not held by QAM) Engine Log Book No. 1 s/n L-3233-33 (LH) QAM048729 Engine Log Book No. 2 s/n L-3117-33 (RH) QAM048730 Propeller Log Book No. 3 s/n 470J (LH) QAM048732 Propeller Log Book No. 1 s/n 913J (RH) QAM048731 Radio Log Book No. 2 (27MAR96 to 24AUG01) QAM048733 (Radio Log Book No. 1 lost on 28JUL77)
5	FAA Register.
6	Jan Ende.
7	AHSA Journal, Vol. VII No. 2, March-April 1966, Page 20.

Compiled by Ron Cuskelly

ISSUE	DATE	REMARKS
10	10JUN22	Added thirteen (13) images of the aircraft at Essendon on 21APR66 during its delivery flight to WA. The images appear to depict a handover/naming ceremony. Thanks to Phil Vabre at the CAHS. These images appear in the first two rows of the thumbnail table starting at image #2.
9	27DEC21	Added a link to another video by Jan Ende. Added four examples of mercy flight declarations by Jan Ende on 19OCT73, 30OCT73, 07DEC73 & 24JAN74. Added the report by the Flight Sister on the 13SEP73 forced landing. Added eight images of the aircraft in RFDS service thanks to Jan Ende. Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5 Image 6 Image 7 Image 8
8	10DEC21	Added five images of the aircraft in service with Skytours thanks to Nigel Daw. Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5
7	10DEC21	Added an image of the aircraft in RFDS colours thanks to Roger McDonald.
6	03DEC21	Thanks to Peter Brooke who has contributed details of his time as an RFDS pilot
5	28NOV21	Added an account of Rod Blievers' time flying VH-FDV with the RFDS. Also added an image of the aircraft after being withdrawn from RFDS service at Bankstown thanks to David Carter.
4	26NOV21	Added an image of the aircraft in RFDS colours thanks to Rod Blievers.
3	24NOV21	Major update from aircraft log books. (Source: 4)
2	10NOV21	Updated the list of registered owners. Thanks to Tony Arbon.
1	08NOV21	Original issue. Thanks to Geoff Goodall.