 For their Brisbane-Darwin-Singapore service operating the same DH86 aircraft QANTAS Empire Airways received a greater subsidy per mile than proposed for the trunk route.The board had been directed to take into account the value of the usefulness of all the proposed airways facilities for auxiliary defence purposes.It was widely reported Union Airways had purchased three four-engined De Havilland DH86 airliners which could carry from ten to fourteen passengers together with ample mail and baggage space.