Re post #80
"Looking through the F-27 site posted earlier on, it mentions that TAA crewed the DCA Fokkers up until 1978, why was that? Would have been a very cosy little arrangement no doubt."
From the late 50s'/early 60s', DCA aircraft (incl. F27s) were operated by the DCA Flying Unit at Essendon and crewed by DCA pilots.
For details, ref
Airways Museum / Civil Aviation Historical Society
History of the Departmental Flying Unit