PA39 - Thanks
osmosis and nick and anyone else who suggests a S/E turbine - see what i wrote re. ASEPTA... it is too hard for a start up operator.
43inches - thanks, that is exactly what i was after
After looking at what the yanks can do with an old Shrike or Navajo, I am impressed and they make the money that you pay for a new piston aircraft completely ridiculous, poor resale value and killer AD's being of course the main problem with spending money on an older airframe.
The former charter operator in Mildura operated a deathstar and a navajo for a long time and they seemed to work out quite well for him. Both of these would be good for company use as well.
The researching will continue, and please feel free to keep contributing. Fact rather than opinion being preferred thanks.