Here are three of the replica aircraft displayed in the Hinkler Museum at Bundaberg. The top left photo is the Avro Avian that Bert used to completely smash the record for flights between England and Australia in February 1928. Before his flight the fastest time between the two countries was 28 days. Bert did it in just over 15 days, and what's more he did it solo! That made him an instant hero. The big photo on the left is the Ibis. Bert designed and built this aeroplane in England after his 1928 record flight. It first flew in 1930. He hoped the type would sell well, but it was the start of the Great Depression and nobody wanted this cute amphibian. The third photo is a replica of Bert's De Havilland Puss Moth. In 1931 he used this 'plane to make the first solo crossing of the South Atlantic. It is also the aircraft in which he crashed in Italy on Jan 7, 1933, trying to set a new England-Australia record. The Hinkler Museum has replicas of all Bert Hinkler's aeroplanes and a detailed history of his life and achievements. You should visit if you have any interest in Australia's contribution to world aviation.
Labels: aircraft, heroes, Queensland
# posted by Bart Bear @ 7:24 pm
