Aeromariner, I happen to know a little about the PC 9 and the awarding of that contract. It was not " a goverment gift to the aviation industry" it was exactly the reverse.
CAC had designed a training aircraft to RAAF specifications called the "Wamira" the specifications called for, among other things, air conditioning, side by side tandem seating and the undercarriage drop test was from some unbelievable height. The RAAF swore blind that this was what they must have..
Hawker pt up the PC7 and the PC9, neither of which met the RAAF specifications.
The RAAF advice to Government was that their preference was Wamira first, PC7 second and they did not want the PC9 at all, but would understand that political considerations may govern the final choice.
At the deciding meeting to brief the Minister Bomber Beazley simply stated "your getting the PC9" and that was all. Bankstown and Sydney vs. Fishermans Bend, and Melbourne. No contest. This is from a participant at the meeting whose name is a number.
CAC folded as they had bet the farm on winning this project and was taken over by Hawkers.
The PC9 was deemed unusable as a basic trainer for ab initio students, they put the dux of the class in one and he came out white.
Some gift. Same as the other gifts - all poisoned. But then again some guys got nice trips to Switzerland instead of FIshermans bend.