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Autographs Of Aviators Ross And Keith Smith [Flying Vickers Vimy Bomber Plane]

1919. Vintage silver gelatin photograph, signed by both Smith brothers in ink on backing below image, 29.7 x 40cm. Slight developing flaws to image centre, silvering and discolouration to edges. Framed.

In 1919, Prime Minister Billy Hughes offered a £10,000 prize on behalf of the Australian government to the first Australians to fly an aircraft from England to Australia in under 30 consecutive days. The winning crew, South Australian pilots and brothers Captain Ross Smith and Lieutenant Keith Smith, and mechanics Sergeants Walter Shiers and James Bennett, flew their Vickers Vimy bomber from London on 12 November 1919 and arrived in Darwin 27 days and 20 hours later on 10 December 1919. The crew shared the prize money, and the pilots were knighted for their achievement. Ref: SLSA.

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Item #CL198-73

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