Name/TitleThe "Southern Cross", Charles Kingsford Smith's aircraft
About this objectin 1927 Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm decided to attempt the first flight across the Pacific. They went to the USA to find a suitable aircraft and finally were able to buy a suitable machine from fellow Australian aviator, Hubert Wilkins. Wilkins had used the Fokker FVIIB-3m tri-motor for Arctic exploration. Kingsford Smith and Ulm christened it "Southern Cross".
Preparation of the aircraft for the trans-Pacific flight took some time and it was not until 31 May 1928 that Smithy and Ulm, together with two American crew members, navigator Harry Lyon and wireless operator Jim Warner, flew out of San Francisco, heading for Honolulu. The flight continued via Fiji and finally finished in Brisbane on 9 June 1928. Smithy and Ulm became instant heroes.
Kingsford Smith went on to make a number of notable flights in "Southern Cross" and also toured Australia in the aircraft.
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
Object TypeGlass slide
Subject and Association KeywordsCivil aviation
Subject and Association KeywordsTransport aircraft
Subject and Association KeywordsFamous aviators
Subject and Association KeywordsNotable flights
Subject and Association KeywordsKingsford Smith, Charles, Sir, 1897-1935.
Subject and Association KeywordsSouthern Cross (Aircraft)
Medium and MaterialsGelatin silver print on glass.
Named CollectionImages collection
Object numberGS-IT-82
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
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