Interesting to read all about what happens engine/s out wise...now !!
As a sprog I was along on a ferry flight of VP-PAG Air Melanesae Drover Mk 3 with pilot/engineer Barry Davis (anyone know if he's still about) in 1968.
Twas tops to sit in the little single cockpit and survey the wide blue Pacific when driving it towards the destinations, Tontouta and Pt Vila.
Barry did all the tricky stuff, take-off and landings, Brisbane Tontuta, Magenta and Vila and was OIC ferry tank switching. Hence the long goes up front on the major legs..
From memory TAS was 112 kts at 7500 Seemed very stable in the crz and gentle manoevering and all 3 Lycs did their thing admirably. We all arrived safely at Vila.
New Hebrides then it was, run by Brits and French Condominium /Pandemonium government and the Drover was the Brits answer to the Do 28 that rounded out a bit high and broke its back. I did notice that the French pilots drank wine with lunch, as is their custom, before heading out island hopping... 80cm between throttle and bottle?
Alas VP-PAG didnt last long... a brake problem? ground loop? whatever. it took to the bush somewhere and is probably still there as a house or storage shed. Anyone know?