eHive Object Details

Name/TitleHarry Hawker, pioneer Australian aviator

About this objectHarry Hawker examining the engine from his wrecked Sopwith Atlantic aircraft.

Harry George Hawker, a pioneer Australian airman, was born in Brighton, Melbourne in 1889. He became a skilled motor mechanic and set up his own business. He went to England in 1911, hoping to become an aviator. He got a job with the Sopwith Aviation Co., took flying lessons and gained his pilot's licence in 1912. He became a test pilot and designer for Sopwith and made several record breaking flights. He brought a Sopwith Tabloid aircraft to Australia and gave demonstration flights.

Hawker returned to England and worked with Sopwith throughout World War I. One of his greatest contributions to aviation was his development of a technique for regaining control of a spinning aircraft.

In May 1919 Hawker and Lieutenant-Commander McKenzie-Grieve attempted to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in a Sopwith Atlantic aircraft. Engine trouble forced them down in the sea well away from shipping lanes. However, they had come across a Danish steamer, the SS "Mary", and were able to ditch near her. They were picked up and the aircraft was abandoned. The "Mary" had no radio so the world did not know what had happened to the aviators until several days later when they were landed in England.

The wreckage of the Sopwith Atlantic was salvaged by the SS "Lake Charlottesville" and landed in Falmouth, England and subsequently displayed in Selfridge's store in London. This photograph shows Harry Hawker examining the engine of the wrecked aircraft.

On July 12th 1921 Hawker was killed in the crash of a Nieuport Goshawk while he was practising for the Aerial Derby air race.

One of the many slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund.

This image is provided for research purposes and must not be reproduced without prior permission.For a high resolution copy of this image, contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria

MakerGunn's Slides (Firm)

Maker RoleCreator Studio

Date Made1919

Period1910-1920

Object TypeGlass slide

Subject and Association KeywordsCivil aviation

Subject and Association KeywordsFamous aviators

Subject and Association KeywordsNotable flights

Subject and Association KeywordsAviation accidents

Subject and Association KeywordsHawker, H. G. (Harry George), 1889-1921.

Subject and Association KeywordsSopwith

Medium and MaterialsGelatin silver print on glass

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-IT-76

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved