organisation. Over the subsequent six years, NSCA purchased a considerable amount of equipment, and established a network of bases around Australia. By 1989, it employed 430 people, who were known colloquially as "The Thunderbirds" after the television series of the same name, and had an annual operating budget of A$90 million. It amassed an impressive array of equipment including ships, aircraft, helicopters, trained rescue dogs, satellite communications, parachute rescue teams and even a mini submarine. As well as search and rescue, its staff were trained in fire fighting, and many of its rescue helicopters were fitted with belly tanks for aerial firefighting. NSCA operational personnel were given ranks and insignia equivalent to fire fighters. It regularly conducted joint training with emergency services, the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force. It provided search and rescue services for the Royal Australian Air Force, state and federal governments and industry. By the late 1980s, NSCA had more advanced search and rescue equipment than Australian Defence Force and there were reports that personnel received weapons training. As a result, it was widely believed to be a government-backed or paramilitary organisation. The State Bank of Victoria wrote in an internal memo that "NSCA's status (nonprofit-making and tax exempt) and its role as a provider of community service in the fields of health, safety and emergency services render it for practical purposes a quasi government body." Bases At its peak in 1989, NSCA operated out of the following locations, either shared with other organisations or from purpose-built bases. Victoria Melbourne Corporate headquarters Essendon Airport Moorabbin Airport Portland CFA Training College, Fiskville Horsham Benalla Morwell Sale Port Welshpool New South Wales Illawarra Regional Airport Sydney Newcastle RAAF Base Williamtown South Australia RAAF Base Edinburgh Queensland Coolangatta Airport RAAF Base Townsville Tasmania Hobart Cambridge Aerodrome Northern Territory RAAF Base Darwin RAAF Base Tindal Ships MV Blue Nabilla (1984–1990) NSCA also had a fleet of unnamed rigid-hulled inflatable boats. Aircraft NSCA operated a fleet of aircraft and helicopters including the Beechcraft B200C Super King Air, Dornier 228, GAF Nomad N22B, Hughes 500D, Bell UH-1 Iroquois, Bell 205A, Bell 212 and Bell 412. Collapse On 21 December 1988, the Victorian Division of NSCA advised the Board that further information was required to complete current year's audit, and would need to modify its audit reports for the previous three years. The board appointed chartered accountants to investigate the Division's